Version 2.0 of UBL, the Universal Business Language, is now available for public review. UBL's purpose is to provide a standard set of general business XML messages (e.g. purchase orders, invoices) which can eventually replace older standards like EDIFACT which tend to be much more expensive to implement. In particular, with EDIFACT, the tendency has been for large corporations (typically Fortune 500) to use it to set up different bilateral messages for use with their different trading partners. Small business just couldn't afford that, having different messages for each and every company they do business with.
UBL 2.0 uses (in a non-normative fashion) the genericode XML format that I proposed for code lists, which is now one of the key inputs for the new OASIS Code List Representation Technical Committee.
If you are interested in (general) business automation, you should have a look at UBL 2.0. Now is the time when you can provide your feedback, before 2.0 is signed off.
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