Frequently Asked Questions: Retail AS2 DGI

AS2 or AS2 EDI-INT (EDI over the Internet) is a widely recognized messaging standard for B2B eCommerce by which applications communicate EDI or XML data over the Internet via HTTP. AS2 provides additional security protections that enable users to connect, deliver and reply to data securely and reliably, potentially saving money in network costs, and adding flexibility and control on how the data is utilized or reported. It can be applied horizontally across supply chains and useful for any industry vertical. The adoption of AS2 grew exponentially in 2002, due in large part to adoption of the standard by the Retail and CPG industry.

3) I was referred to your site to purchase AS2 interoperable software. What software do you sell?

Drummond Group Inc. (DGI) does not manufacture or sell AS2 software. DGI conducts interoperability testing of AS2 software and publishes the results of the AS2 tests on www.drummondgroup.com under the "interoperable products" tab. Please see http://www.drummondgroup.com/html-v2/as2-companies.html for current test results.

4) Tell me more about Wal-Mart's endorsement of AS2.

In 2002, Wal-Mart announced that it would ask its suppliers to move from conventional EDI to an Internet-based EDI model. ("Wal-Mart Chooses Internet Protocol for Data Exchange," Sept. 16, 2002, Computerworld.com, http://www.computerworld.com/industrytopics/retail/story/0,10801,74282,00.html). Wal-Mart sought to eliminate the high cost of using EDI's value-added network (VAN) provider system. (Its suppliers use EDI for exchanging purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, and other confidential business data.) Wal-Mart and its vendors plan to leverage the AS2 standard, which adds significant security and scalability to Internet-based EDI.

5) Our company is in a supply chain that has asked us to make a move to AS2. How can DGI help?

DGI provides the following services:

Published lists of products which have been tested for interoperability. For AS2 Interoperable products go to: http://www.drummondgroup.com/html-v2/as2-companies.html
Research reports targeted to both IT administrators and business decision-makers to help them understand more about how AS2 impacts business processes and ROI:
"Making Sense of AS2: An Implementation Guide," provides an introductory overview of AS2, how to implement AS2, and how to resolve common technical issues in a balanced, vendor-neutral fashion
"AS2, ebXML and SOAP: Which Messaging Standard to Select for Your Supply Chain and Why" report provides an introductory overview of these messaging service standards, offers guidelines for making business decisions about these messaging technologies, compares AS2 and ebMS (electronic business using XML Messaging Services) to each other, and compares them to SOAP, in a balanced, vendor-neutral fashion
"ROI report on EDI-AS2/XML over the Internet" answers the most common questions about EDI/XML over the Internet, its advantages over traditional EDI, the technology standards, ROI for large and a medium sized enterprises in supply chains and how it impacts the way of doing business

6) What is interoperability testing and why is it important?

Interoperability testing is important to ensure that your supply chain can efficiently operate even when your partners are using applications developed by different software vendors. Just because a product is "conformant" or "compliant" to a standard does NOT mean that it's interoperable. For companies engaged in the growing electronic commerce marketplace, software interoperability is vital, and its absence can strongly inhibit supply chain implementations and add significant supply chain costs

DGI's Interoperability Compliance Process™ is a methodology for testing that software applications created by different vendors can communicate with each other. DGI cross-tests every product-with-version against all of the other products-with -version involved in a specific test round. DGI has done extensive work in the world of interoperability, having tested products from more than 30 companies in 2002 which support three important Internet messaging standards: AS1, AS2 and ebXML messaging vs 2.0.

We would recommend learning more about how these important standards can be applied to support your supply chain. A DGI research report comparing these two standards can be purchased at the DGI website. For more information, please visit:
http://www.drummondgroup.com/html-v2/research/soap.html

7) What is tested in the interoperability tests?

To fully understand what functions have been tested for interoperability, download the FINAL REPORTS which are in PDF format and located above the lists of interoperable products on the www.drummondgroup.com website:

For FINAL REPORTS, click on the following links and look for the PDF formatted reports:

8) Where can I find the lists of certified interoperable software?

The results of the interoperability tests conducted by DGI are published on the www.drummondgroup.com website.

For Test Results, click on the following links:

9) How much is AS2 software and how can I purchase it?

Drummond Group Inc. (DGI) serves as a vendor neutral, third party to test commercial software for interoperability. To maintain its vendor neutrality, DGI does not make product recommendations or provide pricing information. Companies interested in purchasing software, which have successfully passed interoperability testing, can refer to the product listings located on the www.drummondgroup.com website. DGI recommends that you contact the individual companies to get pricing and product feature information.

10) How often does DGI conduct tests for messaging standards such as AS2?

DGI conducts periodic tests of products for various standards. The frequency varies by standard and its stage of adoption in the industry. In 2003, DGI is conducting AS2 Interoperability Tests twice, once in January and once in July. See DGI Test Calendar for schedule.

11) When does the list of certified products expire?

DGI publishes the results of the most recent rounds of interoperability tests. These lists do not expire but they "age." Published lists from previous test rounds become less and less useful over time because as software vendors provide updates and version upgrades, the version designation of the respective commercially available software changes. Keep in mind that DGI tests for interoperability amongst the group of products-with-version which participated in a particular round of testing.