Illumonus is a client-oriented, strategic consulting firm providing a range of products and services that enable simplified eBusiness in a secure and reliable environment. We possess extensive experience and expertise in conducting international trade, secure information exchange, and technology solution alternatives. We are not committed to a single solution. Rather we are advocates for what works-proven solutions that are transparent, that enable, and that simplify.

At our core, our solutions are based on using the best of breed, open, public international standards and specifications. Over time a series of tenets have evolved to form the pragmatic, foundational cornerstones of our approach to international trade and resultant business solutions, including:

• The primary focus should be on the data exchanged, followed by a proven, widely-accepted, transparent method for information exchange. Several technology alternatives for international trade information exchange exist, including EDI and XML. The dominant parties involved in international trade have chosen to adopt EDI solutions, embedding this proven alternative in their business systems and practices. Without substantial financial incentive, they are not likely to make substantial investments to alter these decisions.

• UN/EDIFACT is the dominant EDI informational exchange standard used in international trade. It is employed extensively by commercial users, including buyers, sellers, freight forwarders, etc. Further, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), World Customs Organization (WCO), and other important international organizations have adopted the use of UN/EDIFACT.

• For those users requiring the use of XML as the payload format, ISO/TS 20625 (Rules for generation of XML Schema Files (XSD) on the basis of EDI(FACT)) provides the specification for creating XML exchange structures from an EDI syntax without changing the logical content structure. Use of this technical specification ensures the preservation of the link to EDI's semantic business knowledge base.

Based on our experience in the field, we clearly recognize the need for a comprehensive cross border data exchange solution. Despite the potential initially suggested for UN/CEFACT's UNeDocs, including the operation of a Single Window, that initiative has not evolved to the level of a standard for use in international trade. Nor is there a projection for achieving such status. Lacking a solution, the WCO has developed and adopted a reference data model and framework EDI message. Similarly, the IMO is actively converting its forms to UN/EDIFACT rather than XML. Because of the comprehensive integration of customs and shippers in international trade environment, we believe there is an imperative for consistency with these decisions. Thus, considering the complete set of needs, constraints, and limitations, Illumonus identified the following solutions as key enablers for international trade implementations:

• The Illumonus Business Modeling Methodology™, a simplified version of UN/CEFACT's Modeling Methodology, used in conjunction with the WCO's reference data model provide a consistent and universally accepted standard for business modeling. The output product provides a harmonized data set that meets both governmental requirements for international cross-border trade and the requirements of an automated environment.

• Illumonus products and applications utilize ebXML's Messaging Services (ebMS), a payload neutral solution using the POP/SMTP protocol commonly used by small and medium sized businesses. The ebMS approach enables robust eBusiness exchanges by providing:

• secure messaging, including encryption for privacy of data,

• reliable messaging including guaranteed one-time delivery of messages, and

• automated messaging and reduced keying errors.

• The Illumonus-developed Business Information Object (BIO) Library is used in the mapping of payload data to in-house data and vice versa. The BIO Library is based on the original ebXML Core Component concepts. When combined with OASIS' Content Assembly Mechanism (CAM), users are able to create and manage information exchanges that are interoperable and have deterministic descriptions of machine-processable information content flows. Together, the BIO Library and CAM provide a solution for simple, reliable business information exchange interoperability. (Note. The CAM approach aligns with the US National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) and assists with producing Information Exchange Package Documentation (IEPD) that instructs developers on the physical information exchange deployment details.)

• Security is not just about security; it is about conducting business safely and securely. Secure information and networks involve both a technology and organizational perspective. We tailor corporate strategies that mitigate risk by assessing corporate policies, practices, and systems; identifying security gaps; weighing benefits against cost; highlighting the consequences; and building a comprehensive strategy. We have extensive expertise in network and security infrastructure design, CISCO Infrastructure management, and custom automation.

When one asks about Illumonus and what sets us apart for others, the answer is clear. Illumonus understands the intricacies of international trade, the technologies for information exchange, and pragmatics of today's business landscape. This translates to rapid development and deployment of dependable, robust, cost-effective, and reliable business information exchange.