Drummond Group Inc. (DGI), AS4: Secure B2B Document Exchange Using Web Services

AS4: Secure B2B Document Exchange Using Web Services is a standard developed by a subcommittee of the OASIS ebXML Messaging Services Technical Committee. The intent and purpose of the AS4 subcommittee was the development of a Conformance Profile of the ebMS v3.0 specification. This profile provides guidance for a standardized methodology for the secure and document-agnostic exchange of B2B payloads using Web services. By constraining the ebMS v3.0 specification and the underlying WS-* specifications for messaging packaging, transport, security, and business non-repudiation, the profile focuses on providing an entry-level on-ramp for Web services B2B messaging. The end goal of this profile development is to replicate and strategically extend the existing functional requirements currently satisfied by RFC4130 (AS2) by mapping those requirements onto the Web services platform.

In summary:

The AS4 Profile serves to jump-start ebMS v3 implementations by constraining the options for vendors to implement, as well as provides some specific guidance for using Web services as a secure, document-agnostic B2B messaging platform.
The Web services landscape lacks a B2B message specification that has the simplicity and elegance of AS2, and the simplification of Web services for B2B will breed an environment whereby the liklihood for interoperability becomes achieveable.
With simplicity and interoperability as attainable characteristics, widespread adoption of a standardized approach to Web services for B2B messaging can become a reality.
The AS4 Profile provides the marketplace an entry-level on-ramp to begin utilizing their internal SOA platforms for external B2B messaging while taking on some of the more complicated aspects of Web services

To join the AS4 subcommittee at OASIS, go to: http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/tc_home.php?wg_abbrev=ebxml-msg-as4

To join the AS4 Interoperability testing by Drummond Group, the trusted interoperability test lab, send email to info2@drummondgroup.com

For more information on AS4:

FAQ on AS4

Free AS4 White Paper

Please click here to receive our free AS4 white paper, AS4 - A New Tool For The B2B Toolbox.

AS4 Bootcamp

Join us for an upcoming AS4 Class for software developers. Learn more

products list for:

AS1 >
AS2 >
AS3 >
In the Queue for AS1 >
In the Queue for AS2 >
In the Queue for AS3 >
In the Queue for ebXML >
CSOS >
CPFR® >
ebXML Messaging 2.0 >
RosettaNet >

optional profiles

CEM
MA
FN
FN-MA
FN-MDN
Reliability

research store:

ROI report on EDI-AS2/XML over the Internet
Only $95

Description & Table of Contents >>