EBMs

ebMS, or ebXML Messaging Service, is a core messaging protocol within the ebXML framework that enables the secure, reliable exchange of business documents between organizations over the Internet. It was developed to support business-to-business (B2B) collaboration by providing a standard, interoperable method for transporting XML payloads using web services and other transports. ebMS is defined by OASIS (originally in collaboration with UN/CEFACT) and exists in several versions, notably ebMS 2.0/2.01 and ebMS 3.0, with the latter introducing enhanced reliability, security, and process modeling capabilities.

An ebMS message is wrapped in a SOAP envelope and carries metadata that supports routing, reliability, and security. Key concepts include the Collaboration Protocol Agreement (CPA), which specifies the business relationship, supported processes, and messaging parameters between trading partners; the Messaging Service Handler (MSH), a software component at each party's endpoint that enqueues, routes, and processes messages; and the message headers such as MessageId, CPAId, and service/action details. ebMS supports asynchronous, reliable delivery, digital signatures, and encryption (often integrated with WS-Security) to ensure integrity, authenticity, confidentiality, and non-repudiation.

ebMS can be transported over HTTP, SMTP, or other transport layers and is commonly used in B2B integration scenarios such as procurement, invoicing, and order fulfillment. It acts as the message exchange protocol within ebXML alongside Registry/Repository components that store CPA definitions and document types. Adoption varies by industry and platform, but ebMS remains a foundational standard for enterprise messaging in the ebXML ecosystem.