Overview
What every IT manager and system administrator needs to know about the technology that drives the B2B marketplace
The B2B marketplace is rapidly exploding—fast outpacing business-to-consumer e-commerce and expected to reach more than $7 trillion in sales by 2004. This guidebook equips XML authors, programmers, and managers with the technology know-how they need to create and develop simple yet robust B2B systems from scratch. It provides easy-to-understand explanations on how and why XML and other important technologies such as HTTP and MIME are driving the B2B marketplace. Along with XML and Java code examples, readers will find broad coverage of emerging standards and protocols, including Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), ebXML from OASIS/UN/CEFACT, XML Common Business Language (xCBL), BizTalk, and Commerce XML (cXML).
Synopsis
A guided tour of the resources and technologies you need to create simple B2B exchange systems
Building B2B Applications with XML
To take advantage of new opportunities in the trillion-dollar B2B marketplace, you need to find out why XML is fast becoming the backbone of ecommerce and B2B enterprise solutions. This book cuts through the hype surrounding the recent surge in B2B development and arms you with the freely available technologies you need-such as XML, HTTP, and MIME-to create effective B2B applications. Among the simple Java programs in the book are examples that show you how to transport documents, digitally sign and verify documents, and log document exchanges.
You'll also learn:
* How to move documents with hands-on examples of HTTP, FTP, SMTP, and POP3
* How to encrypt and sign B2B documents using Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) and XML Signatures
* Why ebXML (Electronic Business XML) is poised to become a vital global standard for business communications
* How to create orders and invoices using Commerce One's xCBL (XML Common Business Library), the largest B2B collection available
* How to manage catalog data with Ariba's cXML (Commerce XML)-one of B2B's most mature vocabularies
* How Microsoft is banking on Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) as a messaging envelope for business documents and passing method calls
* How to package business documents with Microsoft's robust SOAP implementation, BizTalk
* The companion Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks/fitzgerald features:
* Java code from the book, plus additional Java programs and resources
* Links to XML and related recommendations and drafts, XML vocabularies and protocols for B2B, and other associated standards such as RFCs
* Information on RosettaNet, the electronic component industry's B2B solution
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewSomeday, B2B systems will be ubiquitous, embracing even small companies in a global purchasing web that allows orders to be placed anywhere on earth, virtually instantaneously, across the Internet. When people look back on the technologies that made it possible, it's likely that XML will have a special place of honor.
Of course, 98 percent of the hard work is yet to be done. If you're one of the developers doing it, you'll appreciate Building B2B Applications with XML: A Resouce Guide. This book doesn't merely show you how to implement an off-the-shelf package (not that there's anything wrong with that). Using extensive example code, it walks you through the essential technologies and standards you need to build XML-based B2B systems from scratch. It gets you "under the hood," so whatever strategy you choose, you'll wind up with a system tailor-made to your needs.
Your journey begins with XML, continues with transport (HTTP, SMTP, and FTP), moves on to security (public keys, XML Signature), and then to leading XML B2B vocabularies such as ebXML, Commerce XML, and xCBL. You'll find useful introductions to SOAP and Microsoft's BizTalk. The final chapter brings it all together, offering a practical checklist for successful B2B development. (Bill Camarda)
Bill Camarda is a consultant and writer with nearly 20 years' experience in helping technology companies deploy and market advanced software, computing, and networking products and services. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2000 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks For Dummies®, Second Edition.