Eco System: an Internet commerce architecture

Robust electronic commerce will require several proprietary systems to interoperate. CommerceNet is proposing Eco System, a cross industry effort to build a framework of frameworks, involving both e-commerce vendors and end users. Eco System will consist of an extensible object oriented framework (class libraries, application programming interfaces and shared services) from which developers can assemble applications quickly from existing components. These applications could subsequently be reused in other applications. We are also developing a Common Business Language (CBL) that lets application agents communicate using messages and objects that model communications in the real business world. A network services architecture (protocols, APIs, and data formats) will insulate application agents from each other and from platform dependencies, while facilitating their interoperation. Functionally, Eco System fills three distinct roles. It is: a layer of middleware that facilitates agent interoperation through services such as authentication, billing, payment, and directories; an object oriented development environment that encourages the reuse of e-commerce modules (even modules that represent the product line of an entire company); and an industry roadmap and interoperability example that promotes open standards and helps technology vendors communicate with end users about product features