News from UKP.eb

Sparkle at the launch of ‘Diamond’

At the DTI Conference Centre, London today, the UK Partners for electronic business (UKP.eb) launched its new publication, ‘DIAMOND’, authored by Professor Tom McGuffog, UKP.eb Chair .

The new publication (available as a downloadable .pdf file from this site – see Publications) "DIAMOND – how to add strength and sparkle to your value chain, a general theory of value chain management data" is an essential guide to improving business performance and complements earlier UKP.eb publications of KISS (Keep it Simple, Standard, Speedy and Certain) and B.e.e. (Business Enabled Electronically)

The launch event heard the latest developments of e.business standards and best practice described by leading experts from each of the UKP.eb Partners. Howard Mason of BAE Systems and member of UK Council for Electronic Business (UKCeB), presented the latest work of the joint group linking ISO, ITU, IETC and UN/CEFACT and its "MoU on e-Business Standards". This group aims to clarify areas of overlap between these standards making bodies and co-ordinates standards making work between them.

Roger Till of e.centre, the supply chain management standards body, part of EAN International, gave an update on its work including the application of RFID through the Electronic Product Code (EPC) as undertaken by sister body, EPCglobal. Roger was followed by Professor Tony Davies, representing SITPRO, who updated conference on the latest developments in standards-making for international trade with its eDocs-UK developments.

Richard Taylor, Head of e-Business at the British Standards Institution, outlined what BSI is doing in areas of standardisation including health informatics for the NHS. Maewyn Cumming, of the newly-formed e.Government Unit (was The Office of e-Envoy) part of the Cabinet Office, followed Richard describing its ‘joined up government’ role and its new service and process driven focus. Finally, Colin Whitaker, Head of Security at APACS presented information security for the SME which stimulated a significant amount of discussion. It was clear from the comments made that ‘security’, particularly for the smaller enterprise, remains a key issue and one that is still to be fully addressed by UK industry - a leading role for UKP.eb perhaps.

In summary, a very successful launch for DIAMOND and a thorough update on the latest work by the UK’s leading standards making bodies, all much appreciated by delegates at this well attended event.

All the presentation materials, as well as DIAMOND (see our Publications section), are available downloadable form.

News from The Office of e-Envoy

The Office of e-Envoy has been renamed as the e.Government Unit, with immediate effect.