This post was updated to reflect current trends and information.
What is RosettaNet?
RosettaNet is a non-profit organization having more than 500 high-tech companies as members. These members create and implement open standards for processing business to business (B2B) transactions, especially at the supply chain level, in their appropriate vertical. The main mission of RosettaNet organization is to generate standard protocols for specific business transactions such as new Product Information, order Management, design registration, request technical data, etc.
These standards define XML schema, thus defining a hundred processes for exchanging information between partners (PIP-partner interface processes).
Founded in 1997 by Fadi Chehadé, RosettaNet is a subsidiary of GS1 US, formerly the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC).
RosettaNet and the high technology industry
RosettaNet includes more than 500 members from companies all over the world. Most companies of this consortium belong to the electronics and semiconductor industry – companies that produce personal computers (PCs), computer hardware, computer software, electronic components, telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics. This organization also includes telecommunications and logistics companies.
RosettaNet includes big companies such as:
RosettaNet has several local user groups. The European user group of RosettaNet for B2B standards is EDIFICE.
The RosettaNet standard
RosettaNet optimizes existing standards, guidelines, and specifications of open e-business for cross-platform applications and network communications. RosettaNet defines the concepts of e-business (file formats, procedures, implementation, requirements, etc.) and develops standards for ensuring compatibility of business processes. RosettaNet is based on open XML standards.
Primarily oriented in the supply chain areas, RosettaNet also addresses production, product data, and service processes.
As I mentioned above, this standard is widely distributed in the electronic components and semiconductor industries, but also in the logistics and telecommunication industries.
Partner Interface Processes (PIPs)
RosettaNet PIPs are specialized System-to-System XML-based dialogs that define business processes between partners in a value chain. Each PIP comprises a specification founded on the RNIF “RosettaNet Implementation Framework”.
A RosettaNet implementation, requires a message guideline with a PIP-specific version of the Business Dictionary, and an XML Message Guideline document that provides the models and documents.
The different PIPs are divided into clusters (areas), each covering a specific business process area:
- Cluster 0: RosettaNet Support
- Cluster 1: Partner Product and Service Review
- Cluster 2: Product Information
- Cluster 3: Order Management
- Cluster 4: Inventory Management
- Cluster 5: Marketing Information Management
- Cluster 6: Service and Support
- Cluster 7: Manufacturing
The actual PIP name is obtained from the clusters and the subsequent division.
RosettaNet PIP 3A4: Request Purchase Order
3 → Cluster 3
A → Quote and Order Entry
4 → Request Purchase Order
To learn more about RosettaNet PIP Classifications learn our previous article: RosettaNet and B2B EDI Integration: All you need to know
How RosettaNet differs From EDI ANSI X12 and EDIFACT
EDI is another standard to exchange EDI (electronic data) messages between trading partners. EDI stands for “Electronic Data Interchange.” There are numerous variations of EDI and each variation is different from the other. The ANSI X12 is the most popular in North America in various verticals, while EDIFACT is popular in Europe.
Useful reading: ANSI ASC X12 Standards Overview
There are many major elements distinguishing RosettaNet from EDI X12 and EDIFACT:
First, RosettaNet is developed principally to support logistics and supply chain interactions in the Hight- technology industry, while EDI is widely used in various industries (Retail, Wholesale, Energy, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Manufacturing, Logistics, Government, etc.)
The second difference between RosettaNet and other EDI standards, is that RosettaNet focuses on process and process modeling, while there are no process-focused messages in ANSI X12 and EDIFACT.
Another difference between RosettaNet and EDI is RosettaNet is XML- based while EDI (X12 and EDIFACT) is text-based. There’s a big structural difference between RosettaNet and EDI business document.
A RosettaNet message package contains two main parts: headers that define the source, destination, and purpose of the message package; and a payload (with optional attachments) that transmits the actual business information or operational signals (for example error messages). Both the headers and the payload are encapsulated in XML tags.
In addition, RosettaNet is adopting existing Industry standards, such as JEDEC, UN, the UCC/EAN, NEDA, NIST, and others.
Unlike ANSI X12 and EDIFACT, RosettaNet formed business dictionary and Technical Dictionary (RNTD)
The RosettaNet Business Dictionary (RNBD) identified business attributes to define transactions between trading partners. It defines the meaning of business terms for example “Purchase Order Acceptance” thus the trading partners can be guaranteed the processes interfaced between two businesses are being correctly mapped. The Business Dictionary serves as a central reference and reference work for other standard documents.
The RosettaNet Technical Dictionary (RNTD) provides a common language for the definition of IT products. In other words, it ensures that product information exchanged between business partners uses a common vocabulary even if one of the partners prefer a non-standard intern term.
The EDI community recognized the need for such dictionaries…RosettaNet successfully created and used the dictionaries because it restricted the scope of the dictionaries to first the IT industry, then to the Electronic Component (EC) industry, and the Semiconductor (SM), Telecommunications (TC) and Logistics (LG) industries.
How difficult is to implement RosettaNet?
You will need a good knowledge of XML, as well as some knowledge of supply chain management. Experience with SAP, Oracle Applications, or similar software for enterprise resource planning, manufacturing or supply chain will also be an advantage.
Our team of specialists has many years of successful experience working with RosettaNet and business systems integration, so if you need help or advice or professional advance, please contact us and we will more than happy to assist you!
