DataChannel to Support tpaML from IBM

[Michelle Taylor <Michelle@DataChannel.com>]

Business-to-Business the Right Way: Open, Standards-Based; DataChannel to
Support tpaML from IBM
 
Bellevue, WA - January 31, 2000 -- DataChannel announced today its support
of tpaML (trading partner agreement markup language), IBM's XML-based
business-to-business initiative that was submitted for standardization to
OASIS' XML.org.

A recently released report from Forrester Research estimates that
business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce will be worth $1.3 trillion by 2003.
To capitalize on this tremendous opportunity, many businesses will start
taking advantage of B2B e-commerce collaborations. TpaML enables the
automation of these collaborations.

DataChannel will support tpaML, submitted to XML.org of OASIS, as the
mechanism to define trading practices, processes, and protocols between
partners. Once defined, these transactions will become just another series
of XML documents exchanged and managed through DataChannel's XML-based
Enterprise Information Portal (EIP).

DataChannel's XML-based EIP Solution creates an open, standards-based
platform to personalize an "e-business interface" to mission critical
information. Using XML and other open standards, DataChannel's EIP extends
beyond the boundaries of today's corporation, creating a "virtual
enterprise" where partners, suppliers, customers, and employees can
subscribe to the relevant "channels" of information that are personalized to
their subscription.

"Proprietary systems, legacy data, and closed platforms are eliminated by
creating an e-business architecture that is boundless in its reach and
function," said Lucie Fjeldstad, DataChannel president and CEO. "We have
chosen to support tpaML and IBM because of our commitment to the customer.
Submitting this initiative to an objective, vendor-neutral standards body
like OASIS, greatly increases the viability of it becoming adopted as a B2B
standard. By using XML to standardize the communication between companies,
tpaML puts the power in the hands of the customer, right where it should
be."

Additional information about tpaML and other XML standards submissions can
be found at http://www.xml.org


About DataChannel
DataChannel advances the way the world does business by providing
open-standards-based Internet solutions through its products, services and
partners; ensuring that customers maximize the value of their information.  
 
Privately held and founded in 1996, DataChannel, Inc. is an XML-based
Enterprise Information Portal (EIP) Solutions company that unleashes
enterprise information over the Internet, making it easier for employees,
customers and partners to participate in your business.  DataChannel's EIP
Solutions Framework(tm) provides the building blocks for a solid e-business
strategy.  DataChannel Server(tm) 4.0, an XML-based portal server, provides
a personalized and secure e-business interface, a core component of the
Framework.  The foundation of the Framework is the XML backbone, which
extends your existing infrastructure by using XML to expose all enterprise
information so that it can be accessed in a uniform manner to build dynamic
Web-based applications.  To learn more about DataChannel, visit the
company's Website at http://www.datachannel.com.
 
All trademarks or registered trademarks are property of their respective
holders in the United States and/or other countries.
###
 
DataChannel Press Contact:                               
David Oboyski

Brodeur Porter Novelli

Tel: 602.282.5425

Email: doboyski@brodeur.com

 
Carl Andrews
DataChannel
Tel: 425.974.4177
Email: carl@datachannel.com