Covisint, LLC, an independent global e-business exchange for the automotive industry, announced the adoption and implementation of the ebXML message transport layer and the use of Open Applications Group's OAGIS standards for the document content. The message transport layer is the protocols in which the XML-based documents will be sent. By adopting these protocols, Covisint will be able to exchange Internet-based messages in a common standard to all of its trading partners.

"Many of our trading partners were waiting on the fence and hedging their bets while waiting for Covisint's choice of XML protocol," says Thomas Hill, spokesperson for the Southfield, Mich.-based company. "We are placing a stake in the ground."

This will allow many of the auto industry's critical suppliers to make decisions about their own infrastructure and software applications, says Hill. ebXML is a widely accepted standard and will provide a strong foundation for interconnectivity worldwide.

Covisint will still accept messages in other formats, but the company claims it will become more economical to use the ebXML messaging specifications.

"This framework is a modular, off-the-shelf product and Covisint is only using the messaging element at the moment," says Hill. "We will launch this in cooperation with OAGIS standards but we will need to develop specific standards for the automotive industry."

Hill says that Covisint will work in conjunction with other associations to connect to and efficiently transition existing legacy systems.

"We have seen more adopters [to Covisint] from OEMs down to Tier 2 suppliers," says Hill. "We expect our applications to gain deeper penetration and develop as universal solutions."

Between January 1, 2001 and November 30, 2001, Covisint transacted more than $50 billion during 1,400 online events involving more than 5,000 companies.

Hill expects to see significant increases in the adoption of Covisint's supply chain applications, Covisint Collaboration and Quality Solution Suite, based on the sales results last year.