B2B Primer

What are B2B Standards?

B2B standards define electronic B2B languages and technical rules that support countless eBusiness activities.  The standards are usually published as technical documents and sometimes including computer files and implementation guides.

B2B Standards Categories

The B2B standards can be grouped into these three major categories:

1. 

   B2B Process Standards specify how a business-process workflow and collaboration is managed across two or more companies.

2. B2B Vocabulary Standards specify the information that is required for each business transaction.

3. B2B Technology Standards define how to code, secure and ?exchange information between companies.

What makes a good standard?

• Many companies actually use the standard as specified to solve real business challenges

• Software applications are available that use the standard

• The standards organization has the staff, procedures, tools and community governance to effectively maintain the standard

• Relevant industry or region supports the selected standard

Where to start?

The B2B Vocabulary standards are a good place to get started.  These include the business documents, terminology, code lists and unique identifiers that are essential for B2B processing.