eXFlow: a Web Services-compliant system for supporting B2B process integration

In the B2Bi (Business to Business Integration) scenario, Business Process Management is essential for enterprises wanting to integrate internal existing processes with trading partners’ process in a manageable manner. ebXML, RosettaNet, and Web Services are among the emerging standards that will play a key role in the automation of B2Bi from the business and technology perspectives. However, the question arises of how these techniques can be engineered together to realize the B2Bi. A Web Services-compliant eXFlow solution aims to provide such an environment. This work describes this solution in detail and further examines the concepts behind this solution by using a typical B2Bi application scenario in Logistics.