Based on the unrivalled expertise that AMT-SYBEX has gained in understanding the processes required to make such competitive markets work, we were contracted by ESB to work in partnership with them to deliver the aspect of the solution required to manage the new processes both within ESB and between ESB and external market participants.

Solution Overview

The solution is based on the SUN ICAN product suite. It  comprises of:

•    A Market Participant Communication Component (MPCC)
•    Market Message Web Forms
•    A Market Gateway
•    A Corporate Integration HUB
•    Market Message Implementation

The diagram below illustrates the logical architecture of the solution:




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An XML Schema provides a technical representation of the agreed market documentation and is based on standards set out by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).   It provides details on the structure, format and codes for all of the market messages.  It is used by all the components in the solution as a means for validating the structure and format of a market message passing through the system.

The solution incorporates a Market Participant Communication Component (MPCC) which provides mechanisms to carry out the following processes:
•    Wrapping & sending messages to the Market Gateway.
•    Receiving & unwrapping messages from Market Gateway.
•    Manually create low volume market messages.
•    Viewing messages
 
In addition, a number of WebForms were provided as part of the MPCC which enabled market participants to create/amend and view market messages.  

RosettaNet Implementation Framework v2.0, (RNIF v2.0), is used as the standard envelope/container format for all market messages exchanged to provide reliable and secure transport between the MPCC and the Market Gateway.   The transport mechanism is Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

The Market Gateway (MG) in ESB was implemented using SeeBeyond’s e*Xchange component, and the MPCC was implemented via the e*Xpressway component.  The Market Participant can either maintain a permanent connection to the URL and thus enable automated upload and download between the MPCC and the MG; or they can control the upload/download manually.  The processing of the messages is the same regardless of the connection approach.  The following describes, at a high level, how a message is processed from ESB Networks to one of the Market Participants:




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Products and Services Provided

This project was implemented using the SUN e*gate integrator suite (the current version is known as SUN Java CAPS). AMT-SYBEX provided all of the software components and licenses to meet the A2A and B2B requirements. This included the core EAI hub components, application, database and communication adapters and the partner manager toolsets needed to enable third party suppliers. 

•    The MPCC was delivered using SUN’s e*Xpressway tool-set;
•    The Gateway was built on SUN’s e*Xchange. 
•    Partner Profiles were managed via SUN e*Partner Manger.
•    A2A integration was provided using e*Gate and relevant e*way adapters.

AMT-SYBEX played a key role in the development, implementation and support of the solution. Specifically we provided more than 10 Technical Consultants to assist ESB with the development, deployment and support of the interfaces necessary to meet the program requirements in both the A2A and B2B arenas. 

The development and deployment of SUN software and configuration of adapters, production of web-forms, management of interfaces and definition of testing and support was co-ordinated by a senior AMT-SYBEX Technical Consultant, who had responsibility for ensuring consistency of design and quality assuring the proposed interface strategies. This was key to the success of the project.

The other specialists in the team were Technical Consultants and EAI developers operating as Team Leaders who were responsible for delivering the interfacing requirements in both the B2B and A2A arenas.

In addition to the design, development and implementation activities we undertook a skills transfer exercise as part of this engagement and helped ESB to create an Interface Competency Centre (ICC) capable of supporting the infrastructure and solution without AMT-SYBEX involvement.

The range of services provided by AMT-SYBEX also included provision of a Testing Manager, and a consultant to liaise with Market Participants to ensure readiness for the opening of the market. In summary the services provided by AMT-SYBEX included:-

•    Provision of Software Licenses
•    Software Configuration
•    Solution Implementation & Delivery
•    Data Consultancy
•    Technical Consultancy
•    Training, Coaching and Skills Transfer
•    Testing Manager
•    Liaison with Market Participants
•    Software Maintenance


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