Business Plan for the CEN Workshop on ebusiness in the textile, clothing and footwear sectors (WS/eBIZ)

Transcription

1 Business Plan for the CEN Workshop on ebusiness in the textile, clothing and footwear sectors (WS/eBIZ) 1. Status of the Business Plan This Business Plan was approved at the Workshop kick-off meeting on Background to the Workshop The European Textile, Clothing and Footwear industries have a very large numbers of SMEs and have complex supply chains with a combined turnover of over 180 billions of euros and employ about 3 million people and have been identified as amongst the lowest adopters of ICT systems The e-business systems in the sectors have been developed by single enterprises (typically large retailers), by software or service providers who are often e-business specialists and by collaborations between networks of trading partners or industry leaders both at national and European level. There a fewer sector specific requirements in the downstream supply chain and wider adoption and greater benefits from e-business would result from closer alignment with the solutions and standards in other consumer product sectors The development of many different systems, without reference to similar systems developed elsewhere, together with the constant evolution of ICT technology has led to the implementation of numerous and varied different technical and business related standards. Systems using different standards are one obstacle to a wider level of adoption because not only do they lead to greater costs, which a particular obstacle to SMEs who have limited financial and technical resources, but they also limit the benefits as they often provide connection to only a few, or even one, trading partner. While the use of different standards can also make interoperation between systems difficult, many of the differences can frequently be overcome by the use of third party specialist e- Business services which can, for example, accept data sent by a variety of different communications protocols and can provide translation services from one message format to another. However, the biggest obstacle to increased adoption levels is the increased cost or lack of perceived benefit, particularly by SMES. These can only be overcome by ensuring that e- Business systems are properly supported and that the impact is fully understood by all participants while, at the same time, increasing the value to be gained. 1

2 Not only is it necessary to increase the benefit by improving the quality and quantity of data exchanged in current business processes but also by introducing solutions to support new business models Most relevant policy documents at European level are: - A Digital Agenda for Europe COM(2010) 245, May 2010; - A Small Business Act for Europe COM(2008)394 fin, June 2008; - Industrial policy in the globalisation era COM( 2010) 614 October 2010 The proposal builds on the achievements of the European project ebiz-tcf within the ebsn 1 (European ebusiness support network) by further enhancing the Reference Architecture (RA) 2 developed within ebiz-tcf and seeking its acceptance as an industry standard by relevant stakeholders. It also builds on the achievements for previous CEN Workshops TEX-SPIN, TEX- WEAVE and FINEC in which resulted in the following CWAs 3 : CWA 14746:2003 ecommerce: a case study of the footwear industry CWA 15043:2004 Proposal for a XML based format for storage and exchange of data in the footwear industry CWA 14948:2004 (withdrawn) Guide for XML/Editex messages CWA 15557: 2006 Scenarios and XML templates for B2B in the textile clothing manufacturing and retail Draft CWA Good Practice: e-invoicing Compliance Guidelines Draft CWA Electronic invoice processes in Europe and enablement of SMEs to use them efficiently Draft CWA CEN e-invoice Gateway - Increase awareness and promotion of E-Invoicing in Europe; Development of a community of practice in the field of E-Invoicing. Draft CWA Model Interoperability Agreement for Transmission and Processing of Electronic Invoices and other Business Documents Draft CWA Conformance Criteria for Interoperability between Electronic Invoicing Services Draft CWA Addressing and Routing Status Review Draft CWA Code of Practice on Electronic Invoicing in the EU Reference architecture version 1 is available at URL spx 2

3 3. Workshop proposers and Workshop participants The Original proposers of the Workshop EURATEX (the European apparel and textile confederation), ENEA (Italian National Agency for new technologies, energy and sustainable economic development) supported by other organizations participating in the European ebiz TCF project. European associations promoting the workshop:aedt (The European Association of Fashion Retailers), FESI (Federation of European Sporting Goods Industry) and CEC (The European Confederation of the Footwear Industry). After the Workshop kick-off meeting, registered participants will be listed in an annex. 4. Workshop scope, objectives and deliverables The ultimate objective is to boost the use of ebusiness and improve the interoperability of B2B data exchange throughout the supply chains in the Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) industries by gaining wider consensus on interoperable e-business communication protocols and data exchange formats. The main objectives are to: Identify the barriers to interoperability and to wider acceptance in Europe and to identify the enhancements necessary to the Reference Architecture both in terms of technological developments and of business processes by means of a GAP analysis. revise and upgrade previous work on interoperability between different ebusiness solutions and systems by means of an enhanced ebiz-tcf Reference Architecture based on the results of the GAP analysis while demonstrating interoperation with the earlier version raise awareness and achieve broader acceptance of the Reference Architecture with its publication as a CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) available through CEN members in Europe. 5. Workshop programme The CEN Workshop ebiz is proposed for the duration of 18 months starting from January The Workshop kick-off meeting is scheduled on 29 March 2012 in Brussels, in parallel with the Annual Conference of the European Technology Platform for textile and clothing. The Workshop working language is English. The work-programme is build around three major tasks detailed hereafter and which address all objectives. Task1 Gap Analysis: It aims at identifying all remaining gaps for e-business interoperability of in the Textile, Clothing and Footwear industry, the standards landscape, as well as to propose solutions to overcome barrier for wider e-business interoperability. 3

4 Task2 upgrade of the Reference Architecture (CWA): It aims at producing a CEN Workshop Agreement containing the upgraded ebiz reference architecture. Aim is to achieve interoperability between different ebusiness solutions and systems used in the fashion Industry supply chain on the basis of existing solutions, to allow for a seamless e-business environment and increase the competitiveness of the fashion industry. Task3 impact enhancement: It aims at maximizing the Workshop impact and effectiveness by raising awareness to ensure the adoption of results by the largest part of the concerned ICT and fashion industry. The work-programme is summarized in the table below: Activity Validation Responsible Estimated timing CEN Workshop announcement, CEN Jan 2012 Launch call for Expert CEN Feb-March Appointment Chair secretariat, adoption Business Plan Kick off Chairperson CEN, 29 March 2012 Experts selection and activities start Chair secretary CEN April 2012 Task 1: Gap Analysis start Electronic collection of contributions Expert 1 April Task 3: project impact enhancement Presence at event Expert 5 May Task 1: Gap Analysis first draft Electronic collection of contributions Expert 1 June Task 1: Gap Analysis final version Electronic validation Expert 1 Sept 12 Plenary meeting, Task 1 and 2: moving from Gap Analysis validation of results to RA Upgrade and next steps Expert 1 and 4 October 12 Interim report to EC All experts, CEN, Secretary Oct 2012 Task 3: project impact enhancement and November Presence at event Expert 5 and 6 overall coordination 2012 Task 2: upgrade of the Reference Architecture (specification in the first draft CWA open for comments) electronic validation Expert 4 Jan 2013 Task 2: upgrade of the Reference Electronic collection Architecture (final CWA draft) of contributions Expert 4 March 2013 Draft CWA for public comment Open Conference Secretary CEN April-May final CWA endorsement by WS members Plenary meeting or Expert 2, 4, 6 electronically CEN Jun 2013 Task 3: project impact enhancement and overall coordination Final Report to EC CWA publication Electronic circulation Expert 5 and 6 ongoing All experts, CEN, secretary CEN End June 2013 August Sept

5 Task 1 Gap Analysis Task 1 is an analysis of the state of the art and requirements for the digital supply chain in the TCF sectors. Technological developments and business processes not addressed in the ebiz- TCF project will be considered. The former will include the use of RFID in product identification and the flow of goods as well as development of Product Classification standards. The business processes will include in line with relevant developments the requirements of scenarios in the Textile/Clothing Footwear not currently addressed in the ebiz-tcf Reference Architecture (RA) as well as for example the use of RFID tags in logistics and the use of e-invoicing. The analysis will also identify barriers to interoperability and barriers to adoption and requirements for wider acceptance throughout Europe. The results will be used to define where appropriate new standards/specifications where appropriate and will also be used to determine any additions or modifications necessary to the existing ebiz-tcf Reference Architecture (RA). Milestones Completion of all research and analyses tasks (September 2012) Completion of report recommending additions/modifications to the ebiz-tcf RA (October 2012) Meeting One physical meeting involving 3 experts from Task 1 and Task Leaders from Task 2 and Task 3. Meeting to take place after the experts selection Task 2 upgrade of the Reference Architecture Task 2 releases an upgraded version the Reference Architecture (RA) as result of the analysis in Task1 and of the development of new specifications. The activity will be based both on the requirements and specifications identified in Task 1 and in the technical validation of the new developments through technical meetings with stakeholders and ebiz-tcf adopters. Compatibility with the ebiz-tcf Reference Architecture existing prior to the CWA will be a requirement for upgraded developments and improvements Task 2 will deliver a new, upgraded Reference Architecture with detailed technical specifications: process description, data models and document templates (XML Schemas) completed with a reference validation procedure and a testing tool for stakeholders tests and public demonstrations. In particular the methods to achieve and demonstrate interoperability between different implementations of the Reference Architecture will be examined. T2.1 To prepare and implement all required modifications in the ebiz-tcf Reference Architecture following Task 1 results. To validate the upgrades of the ebiz-tcf Reference Architecture through technical meetings and communications with stakeholders and adopters 5

6 T2.2 Production of software artifacts (formal descriptions of the format requirements for example expressed by XML Schemas and Schematron-, ebbp process descriptions, code-lists descriptions of the codes, XML samples) supporting the updated specifications with the aim to provide automatic development and validation tools with formal descriptions of the data structures, of the collaboration processes and of the business rules to be implemented by the applications. All this artifacts are formal descriptions intended as application-independent aids for ICT developers. These artifacts may not necessarily new but often can be updated versions of existing ones and which reflects changed needs and increased scope identified T2.3 Definition of an interoperability testing procedure via a testing and validation software tool to validate conformance to the ebiz TCF Reference Architecture be included in the CWA with supporting artifacts. The validator is expected to be an on-line tool easily allowing any interested party to check the conformance between sample instances of electronic documents and the Reference Architecture. The testing and validation tool will not be part of the CWA, but it will be delivered to CEN- CENELEC Management Centre and it will be freely accessible for users at the project website URL Milestones Completion of a draft of the new RA technical specifications (Jan 2013) Completion of RA technical specifications and validation procedures (March 2013) Testing and validation tool (software) (March 2013) - Meetings 2 physical meetings at plenary (presentation of first draft CWA and of final draft CWA), at least 1 physical meeting with Task1 experts, at least 4 electronic meetings Task 3 Impact enhancement and overall coordination Task 3 parallel actions to raise awareness and achieve broader acceptance and implementation of the Reference Architecture and any standards resulting from Task 1 and 2. They will range from the electronic distribution of information, promotional material and maintenance of the ebiz website to attendance at relevant workshop, seminars and meeting and a final project specific Workshop. The Workshop will carry out specific dissemination activities to maximise the impact of the project. In this context, collaboration with the sector group on textile within the EEN (Enterprise Europe Network), as well as other representative bodies, such as branch organisations will be fully exploited. Ultimately, these actions will allow to further extend the number of stakeholders involved and to exchange communications. Milestones and meetings: 3-4 public events will be organized during European events such as: Ecommerce Expo which includes ebusiness in London in October 2012 Conference echallenges 2012 (date tbc) Trace.ID Fashion 2012 logistics and RFID event (date tbc) Events dedicated to SMEs 6

7 The CEN Workshop ebiz main deliverables are: Interim report (October 2012) which will include: a) A gap analysis including - Details of the research into additional business processes including the reasons for the resulting recommendations; - Details of the research into barriers to interoperation and to wider adoption including the reasons for the resulting recommendations; - Specification of the business requirements for updating the ebiz TCF Reference Architecture. b) Progress report on dissemination activities Final report (June 2013) which will include: a) A CEN Workshop Agreement on a Common Reference Architecture for e Business in the textile/footwear/clothing supply chain A description of the processes and requirements supported by the Reference Architecture A detailed description of the collaborations and of the data exchanges between the parties and the related document templates A description of the RA conformance criteria and of the procedure to test interoperability between different implementations Artifacts (XML Schemas, Schematron, ebbp, code-lists, XML samples) supporting automatic processing of the RA specifications (as integral part supported by the web site) b) a report on dissemination activities, including : Coordinated communication campaign addressing all European sectoral Associations and other stakeholders and which include presence at 3-4 public events, and presentation at other events Website upgraded and run throughout the whole workshop duration At least 1 Digital brochure Three-months periodic updates c) a testing and validation software tool 6. Workshop structure The Workshop will appoint at the Kick-Off meeting a Chairperson and the Secretariat, AENOR has indicated its willingness to support the Workshop Secretariat. The Workshop Chairman and vice-chairman will be responsible to: - To preside at Workshop Plenary Meetings, - To support the efficient Workshop delivers in line with the planned activities - To support the consensus building process 7

8 The Workshop will set up a Steering Committee consisting of the CEN Workshop Chairman, vice-chairman (if any), Secretary, Project Team and a small number of volunteers who are representatives from the involved organizations (fashion industry, ICT industry, support organizations). The Steering Committee will be appointed in the first months of the Workshop activity, possibly before the second Workshop plenary meeting. The Steering Committee will be responsible to: -to provide strategic advice to the Workshop on the directions to take -bring their experiences and share the vision and requirements of the represented stakeholders into the Workshop. -bring the results of the Workshop to the represented stakeholders so that all groups and consortia share a common vision and can include the project outcome in their products The Steering Committee will be chaired by the Workshop Chair. The Steering Committee s role is only advisory. 7. Resource requirements Funding to support a project team of 6 experts, the validation tool development and the secretariat is provided by the European Commission and EFTA. Separate documents will address the call for experts and the call for a company to realize the validation tool. 8

9 All costs related to the participation of interested parties in the Workshop activities have to be borne by themselves. 8. Related activities, liaisons, etc. The proposed CEN Workshop ebiz will liaise with: CEN TC 248 on Textile CEN TC 309 on Footwear CEN TC 225 (AIDC: Automatic Identification and Data Capture) The CEN Workshop ebiz will also liaise with research projects mainly at European and international level related to ICT implementations in the textile/clothing/footwear sectors. 9. Contact points Chairperson: Mr Francesco Marchi EURATEX Rue Montoyer 24 BE-1000 Brussels Tel francesco.marchi@euratex.eu CEN-CENELEC Programme Manager : Ms Karolina Krzystek CEN CENELEC Avenue Marnix, 17 BE-1000 Brussels Tel kkrzystek@cencenelec.eu Secretariat: Mr José Ignacio AGUADO AENOR C/Genova, 6 ES Madrid Tel fax jaguado@aenor.es 9