CECID Donated MSH Codes to ebXML Development Community

Hong Kong, Peoples Republic of China - September 13, 2002 - Center for E-Commerce Infrastructure Development (CECID), Department of Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS), The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is pleased to announce its code base donation of a Message Service Handler (MSH) implementation, coined Hermes, to the ebXML development community. This open-source project is hosted at freebxml.org and released under the Academic Free License that permits royalty free use of the source and binaries. Developers are encouraged to download Hermes for further development.

Hermes is a Message Service Handler (MSH) implementation that is in compliance with the OASIS ebXML Message Service (ebMS V2) Standard. In addition, it is the first open source MSH to use RDBMS persistent storage to implement advanced ebMS features like reliable messaging. ebMS is a key component in the ebXML technical architecture. It utilizes SOAP, Internet transport protocols (e.g. HTTP and SMTP), and other security standards (e.g. XML Signature) to provide a standardized, reliable, and secure infrastructure for enterprises to exchange messages.

Hermes supports secure messaging functions through widely-adopted Internet security technologies, such as XML Signature, SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and S/MIME (Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions). It has also implemented reliable delivery features defined in ebMS Standard to ensure the exchanged message is received and intact. The feature list of Hermes includes message packaging, reliable messaging, message ordering, error handling, security, synchronous reply, message status service, and RDBMS persistent storage. Hermes also supports transport protocols, such as HTTP and SMTP, to suit different needs of large and small enterprises, and different business requirements. Currently, it is being prepared for the Drummond Goup's Interoperability Conformance Test.

Hermes has been implemented by developers at CECID under the auspices of Project Phoenix. Project Phoenix is primarily sponsored by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong Government. Hermes is donated to the ebXML development community and released under the Academic Free License.

About CECID (http://www.cecid.hku.hk):
Established in January 2002, the Center for E-Commerce Infrastructure Development (CECID) at the University of Hong Kong conducts e-commerce research and development with the vision of helping Hong Kong increase its competitiveness in the international arena. CECID has the missions to develop e-commerce enabling technologies, to join important international e-commerce initiatives, to support e-commerce standardization for Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific Region, and to transfer e-commerce technology and skills to the community. As an OASIS member, CECID is participating in the standardization projects, such as ebXML and Universal Business Language (UBL). CECID also collaborates with a number of lead technology users in the Asia Pacific Region on the application of advanced e-commerce technologies. Current pilot project partners include MTRC, the major subway system operator in Hong Kong, Saggio, a large vendor of office supplies in Asia, Information Technology Services Department, the Department of Health and Marine Department of the Hong Kong Government.

About freebXML (http://freebxml.org):
FreebXML is an initiative that aims to foster the development and adoption of ebXML and related technologies. The mission of freebXML is to provide a centralized Website for ebXML users and developers to access and share 'free' ebXML code, applications, and development and deployment experience. Founding members of this initiative include technical leaders from international technology firms, government organizations, standardization bodies, and academic institution. The initiative is sponsored and hosted by CECID and CSIS of the University of Hong Kong.

About ebXML (http://www.ebxml.org):
The mission of ebXML is to provide an open XML-based infrastructure enabling the global use of electronic business information in an interoperable, secure and consistent manner by all parties. ebXML (Electronic Business using Extensible Markup Language), sponsored by UN/CEFACT and OASIS, is a modular suite of specifications that enables enterprises of any size and in any geographical location to conduct business over the Internet. Using ebXML, companies now have a standard method to exchange business messages, conduct trading relationships, communicate data in common terms and define and register business processes.

About OASIS (http://www.oasis-open.org):
OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards) is a not-for-profit, global consortium that drives the development, convergence and adoption of e-business standards. Members themselves set the OASIS technical agenda, using a lightweight, open process expressly designed to promote industry consensus and unite disparate efforts. OASIS produces worldwide standards for security, Web services, XML conformance, business transactions, electronic publishing, topic maps and interoperability within and between marketplaces.

PR Contacts for Press and Analysts:
Dorris Tai (cwtai@cecid.hku.hk)
Business Manager
Center for E-Commerce Infrastructure Development (CECID)
Dept. of Computer Science & Information Systems
The University of Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2859 2818
Fax: +852 2547 4611
URL: http://www.cecid.hku.hk