Standardization is recognized as a key success factor of interoperability between systems. Information Technology Services Department (ITSD) of the HKSAR Government has published the Interoperability Framework (IF); "The use of interoperable data standards and XML schemas is going to be the basis of many G2G and G2B systems and projects", according to Mr. Alan Wong, Director of Information Technology Services, in his speech at the ITSD Networking Hour last December. In logistics, the Digital Trade & Transportation Network (DTTN) initiative is to facilitate communications between stakeholders in relevant industries with all popular industry standards by providing a centralized conversion scheme. Recent attention to the Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology induced by some global retailers will demand efficient data exchange between systems in the supply chain.

Co-organized by Information Technology Services Department of the HKSAR Government and Center for E-Commerce Infrastructure Development (CECID) of The University of Hong Kong, Forum on e-Business Interoperability and Standardization aims to demonstrate the importance of interoperability and the benefits of standards and standardization to business, government and society. Several prominent international representatives will speak at the Forum.

Jon Bosak, Chair of OASIS UBL Technical Committee and the organizer and leader of the working group that created XML, will present an overview of UBL and its impact. To many, Jon is known as the FOX, "Father of XML", because of his contribution to the creation of XML. David Brock, co-Founder and Director of the Auto-ID Labs at MIT, will discuss the technical aspects of RFID. John Borras, Director of Technology Policy, the UK's Office of the e-Envoy, and Chair of e-Government Technical Committee in OASIS, as well as Hisanao Sugamata, Research Director of Electronic Commerce Promotion Council of Japan, will share development progress and adoption of standards by government and industry in the UK and Japan. A panel comprised of local standards advocates and experts will present use of standards in Hong Kong and discuss how Hong Kong should promote standardization.

** Free Admission **

Seats are limited. Register Now! (Registration Deadline: 7 May 2004)

Enquiries: (852) 2241 5387

Email: info@cecid.hku.hk