Thursday September 28, 10:36 am Eastern Time

Press Release

Three E-Business Challenges to be Addressed Using XML-based
Interoperability in Real-time Demonstration for Media and Industry
Analysts at B2B VENDOR CHALLENGE
 
 
Leading technology providers to unveil actual B2B solutions at
Nov. 2 event in response to challenge issued by Ford Motor
Company, Lucent Technologies and Lockheed Martin
 
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 2000--Organizers of the B2B
VENDOR CHALLENGE today released details of the three e-business
scenarios to be demonstrated November 2.
 
The event -- sponsored by Open Applications Group, Inc. (OAGI) and
hosted by Canopy International, Inc. -- centers around live
demonstrations of OAGI's XML-based standards for "hands-free"
e-Business transactions.
 
For media and industry analysts only, the demonstrations will take
place at the Hyatt Regency, Cambridge, MA. Canopy is providing
business and technology integration expertise, technology
infrastructure and administration and will host the event. The company
is one of approximately 20 software, systems and technology vendors
who will work together to demonstrate solutions to the three actual
scenarios presented by Ford Motor Company, Lucent Technologies and
Lockheed Martin.
 
In addition to Canopy, confirmed vendor participants are: eXcelon
Corp., Extricity, Glotech Solutions, irista, J.D. Edwards, Killdara,
Mercator, Netfish Technologies, Oracle, PeopleSoft, PSDI/mro.com,
Robocom Systems International, SAGA Software, StreamServe, Teklogix,
Inc., Tilion, webMethods, and Wonderware.
The scenarios focus primarily on e-procurement, but also involve
interfaces with legacy systems and functions, including ERP systems,
supply chain visibility enablers and engineering and warehouse
management systems.
 
They all use OAGi open standards-based XML Business Object
Documents (BODs) for all communications throughout each process,
making them virtually "hands free."
 
The three scenarios are:
 
-- FORD MOTOR COMPANY. In this scenario, a Ford engine plant is
able to seamlessly manage emergency, alternative
non-production MRO procurement in a highly automated
environment involving a Warehouse Management System deployed
in facility operated by a third-party logistics provider. Five
technology vendors and three outside suppliers participate in
this demonstration using OAGI-developed, XML-based Business
Object Documents (BODs) for every transaction.
 
-- LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES. This extensive, multi-layered supply
chain execution demonstrates a multiple-supplier scenario in
which orders are fulfilled with items from Lucent's
manufactured stock and from outside vendors ordered as part of
a single customer order fulfillment process in direct response
to the order itself. A BOD-enabled supply chain visibility
product sitting on top of a legacy ERP system provides
visibility among multiple warehouses, each deploying different
Warehouse Management Systems. Approved freight invoices are
automatically conveyed to the suppliers' financial systems,
and a hand-held RF device communicates with Lucent's legacy
ERP warehousing system during the entire receiving process.
The entire process is automated and all communications use
XML-based standardized BODs. Eleven technology vendors
participate with Lucent in this demonstration.
 
-- LOCKHEED MARTIN. In this conceptual illustration of a
purchasing scenario, four basic BODs support mixed purchasing
of known sub-assemblies and internally modified subassemblies.
It demonstrates how an aerospace manufacturer uses BOD-enabled
communications to support PDM and ERP interoperability. Of
special note, this scenario also demonstrates "on the fly"
flexible pricing by delivering a purchase order containing the
fixed price for the known sub-assembly and a not-to-exceed
price for the modified unit. The scenario is supported by
three solution providers.
 
THE ORGANIZERS...
 
OAGi is a nonprofit consortium that develops best practices and
process-based XML content for e-Business and application integration.
CANOPY INTERNATIONAL offers consulting and integration services
enabling companies to create open interoperability in e-Business
relationships.
 
TO RESERVE A SPOT AT THIS FREE EVENT FOR MEDIA AND INDUSTRY
ANALYSTS...
... visit http://www.openapplications.org/challenge, call
Rob Beswick at 412-231-6676 ext. 102 or send an e-mail with your name,
title, company, address and telephone to Nancymo1@rcn.com.
 
CONTACT: Beswick Communications, Inc. for Open Applications
Group, Inc. (OAGI), and Canopy International
Rob Beswick, 412/231-6676 ext. 102
Bescom@aol.com