Chapter 4 - PCATS-NAXML Framework

Design Principles

For this version of the Guidelines, it is important to note that they have been designed in accordance with the following principles:

  • There is no attempt to specify the communications mechanism by which the documents are exchanged at this time.  This may be added at a later time.  However, it is anticipated that the Internet will be used and specifically the use of TCP/IP between trading partners.
  • There is no attempt to specify the application interface between systems, only the business documents they exchange.
  • There is no attempt to specify the manner by which the sending system produces the documents or to specify what actions will result when they are received.   However, the complete integration of the received business data into the receiver's back office system will be the measure of a successful implementation.
  • Because there is no requirement for a particular transport, many aspects of message security, such as digital signatures and similar issues, are not addressed at this time.
  • By keeping the integration on the business level, each business is able to present a clear and stable interface to its business partners despite changes in its internal technology implmentation, organization or process.
  • The extensibility of XML allows data elements not specified in the PCATS EB2B Data Element Dictionary to be accommodated.  The Committee intends to provide a means to achieve additional flexibility in a later version.

Repository

The Schemas and sample XML documents can be found on the PCATS member site at http://www.pcats.org.  The minutes of all committee and working group meetings are also available on this site.

Document Naming

The XML document name contains all information required to completely identify its content.  PCATS schemas conform to the PCATS Design Rules for PCATS-NAXML and the PCATS Namespace documents.

Document Construction

The following schemas contain all of the requirements for producing XML documents that provide for the exchange of the business documents.

XML Document Content Types

The PCATS guidelines have defined the following schema groups to facilitate electronic data exchange: