GridNode Unveils RAE solution at RosettaNet Conference, Singapore

GridNode proved to be the only solution provider with an actual RAE implementation to present to SME audience at RosettaNet Conference in Singapore.

Singapore June 9, 2006 – GridNode, a leading B2B collaboration software and services provider, today unveils its RosettaNet Automated Enablement (RAE) solution for SMEs - GridLite, at a RosettaNet for SMEs Conference in Singapore. With the launch of this solution, SMEs can finally be B2B enabled to collaborate with their trading partners over standardized on-line communication without costing them an arm and a leg.

“I was very impressed with GridNode’s solution and their (product) strategy” said one of the participants of the conference.

With GridLite, there is no need for immediate integration with the back-end system nor constant connectivity to the outside world. As such, even SMEs with only a basic PC with intermittent, dial-up connectivity and no back-end system can now benefit from being part of a collaborative value chain with trading partners in its community.

“And the best part is, business documents are still delivered end-to-end between one trading partner and another, which gives each company control and ease of access over its data. Processing of data can thus continue even when not connected to the outside world and at a much faster pace since the data actually resides locally. Integration with the back-end system (if so required by the SME) is that much simpler since the document is actually delivered to the company in a fully automated fashion.” said Ms. Lee Kiew Puan, Vice President of Business Development, GridNode.

Based on a hub-and-spokes model, GridLite (being a solution for the spokes) paves the way for rapid community on-boarding. Where before, a hub faced the significant challenge of getting all its suppliers, especially SMEs, to transact with it via a single, unified interface, this problem can now be addressed. What the hub needs to do is simply route inter-partner documents via an intermediary host called GridMaster (hosted by GridNode) which is able to deliver documents over diverse communication protocols to ensure that the document arrives securely and efficiently at each trading partner’s end. This means that whether the trading partner has GridLite or other B2B gateways (e.g. RosettaNet Classic, AS2, CIDX or Web Services) installed at their end, the hub can still talk to each of these via the same gateway. Business users at the hub can therefore enjoy the simplicity of dealing solely with a single unified interface namely the hub’s existing ERP system.

“RosettaNet RAE addresses the challenge Intel has been facing in the past for many years in getting its 2 nd and 3 rd tier suppliers and trading partners to participate with us on electronic B2B. With an affordable solution now available from RosettaNet for these trading partners, it is bringing Intel closer to our vision and strategy of using one standard – RosettaNet, and a single unified gateway in dealing with all our suppliers and trading partners. Eventually, Intel can decommission the WebSuite (our suppliers’ portal) and other B2B legacy systems and simply focus on maintaining our RosettaNet gateway and standard. This will significantly enhance our ROI and streamline our businesses in the long run.” said Mr. Anthony Wong, Intel’s RosettaNet Program Director and Champion for Asia.

Likewise, for the SMEs, where before they face the challenge of having to deal with different interfaces and portals for each online community they belong to, the problem can now be addressed as GridLite enables these spokes companies to participate in multiple communities using the same interface ( GridLite ) while still allowing for different community-defined business processes and document templates to be featured within the software. The rollout and maintenance of these community definitions are rapid because of the use of wizard-based installation and managed upgrades like that typically employed by common client applications such as Anti-Virus software. This means that the spokes no longer has to train and retrain multiple users on the different interfaces, applications and portals just to participate in multiple online trading communities.

To learn more about the RAE, visit the RosettaNet website at www.RosettaNet.org.

About RAE
The RAE program, which has been led by a consortium of industry players since 2005, helps bring RosettaNet standards to the masses. It defines a "system-to-human" interface that allows trading partners to participate in RosettaNet e-business processes by simply filling out and exchanging electronic forms while at the same time allowing for extensibility to the back-end system via real-time automated integration where required. By leveraging RAE, large companies can maximize their existing B2B infrastructure investments across their entire trading partner base, while many small and mid-sized enterprises will be able to participate in RosettaNet initiatives for the first time.

To learn more about the RosettaNet Automated Enablement program, visit the RosettaNet website at www.RosettaNet.org.

About PIPs
RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIPs) are specialized system-to-system XML-based dialogs that define business processes between trading partners. Each PIP specification includes a business document with the vocabulary, and a business process with the choreography of the message dialog. Examples of PIPs include 3A4- Purchase Order Request & Confirmation, 4C1 - Distribute Inventory Report, 4A4- Notify of Planning Release Forecast and 7B1 - Distribute Work in Process.

About RosettaNet
RosettaNet is a non-profit consortium dedicated to the collaborative development and rapid deployment of open, e-business process standards that align processes within global trading networks. RosettaNet standards and services provide a common language for e-business transactions and the foundation for integrating critical processes among partners within the global supply chain. Companies that use RosettaNet's proven standards benefit from added cost-savings throughout supply chain processes, improved e-business communications with trading partners, enhanced product life cycle management capabilities, and added customer satisfaction. RosettaNet is a subsidiary of the Uniform Code Council, Inc. ® (UCC®).