Re: [ebxml-dev] RE: OASIS Members to Develop Universal BusinessLanguage

[Mike Rawlins <mike@rawlinsecconsulting.com>]

A few comments on Duane's comment:

Duane Nickull wrote <snipped>:

>
> In May of 2001,  OASIS and UN/CEFACT jointly announced to the world that
> ebXML had been finished (v 1.0).  They also signed a MoU that clearly
> stated the responsibilities of the two partners for moving the work
> forward.  Generally, it boils down to the fact that OASIS will look
> after all the technical pieces (infrastructure) and UN/CEFACT will look
> after all the content pieces (like Core Components and Business
> Process/modeling).

FWIW and at the risk of spreading rumors, I have heard through the grapevine that
the CEFACT Steering Group did not have the authority to execute the MoU with
OASIS.  Whether or not that is the case, it appears to me that at least the
spirit of the MoU has dissolved.  The OASIS ebXML Coordinating TC (I may not have
the name correct), in its announcement made no explicit mention of CEFACT (at
least if it did, it was buried so deep that I missed it).  Likewise, the ebTWG
charter doesn't say anything about working with OASIS.  And, despite the
announcements that were made in Vienna, I have heard nothing of the promised
joint ebXML steering committee that was to have representatives from both groups.

>
> Those are the facts.  Now some of my personal opinions:
>
> I think that while there is a clear violation of the ebXML MoU, OASIS
> cannot be blamed becuase their process was known to all, including
> UN/CEFACT before the MoU was signed.  UN/CEFACT does however, have the
> right to complain about the situation as it does violate the MoU.

I don't agree that it is a clear violation of the MoU.  While the UBL work seeks
to align with the ebXML work, it is not a derivative or dependent work.  So, a
very good case can be made that it is an independent effort.

>
> UN/CEFACT will continue the work of ebXML as if UBL never existed and
> deliver the functionality to enable people to use ebXML, since this if
> their original charter.

That is *your* prediction ;^)  Given the track record so far, I'll believe it
when I see it...

> The OASIS UBL committe has some very smart
> people serving on it, some of which are also involved in the UN/CEFACT
> ebTWG, and they will probably deliver some very  interesting and useful
> work.

I agree with *that* prediction.

>
>
> Some people are extremely uptight about this current situation.

You bet.

> I personally think that the world has more pressing and bigger problems
> to worry about than who delivers what and who gets credit for it.  Since
> all the work will get shared eventually,  hopefully the businesses and
> users will win.

But Duane, you forget the old maxim that whenever two or more are gathered
together, there you will find politics!  But regardless of whatever CEFACT and
OASIS do and the politics involved, the marketplace will decide.  We'll just see
which one of them (if either) produce what the marketplace really wants.

--
Michael C. Rawlins, Rawlins EC Consulting
www.rawlinsecconsulting.com