Why UDDI?

At first glance, UDDI appears extremely simple. Nonetheless, it includes some subtle points that are easily overlooked. Let’s therefore begin by examining the future impact of UDDI within a specific industry.

To make the concepts as concrete as possible, consider the semiconductor industry. Currently, approximately 400 companies in the information technology, electronic component, and semiconductor manufacturing industries are members of an industry consortium called RosettaNet. RosettaNet is focused on creating standard processes and interfaces for e-business and supply-chain management. One of RosettaNet’s main accomplishments is the creation of Partner Interface Processes (PIPs). PIPs are XML-based interfaces that enable two trading partners to exchange data. Dozens of PIPs already exist. For example:

PIP2A2

Enables a partner to query another for product information

PIP3A2

Enables a partner to query the price and availability of specific products

PIP3A4

Enables a partner to submit an electronic purchase order and receive acknowledgment of the order

PIP3A3

Enables a partner to transfer the contents of an electronic shopping cart

PIP3B4

Enables a partner to query status on a specific shipment

By accelerating the adoption of PIPs, RosettaNet will dramatically increase interoperability between trading partners and enable more flexible supply- chain management. This increases overall efficiency and drives down costs. Each of the participating companies therefore has a ...

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