The automobile industry exchange, Covisint, will adopt two standards – ebXML and Open Application Group's OAGIS standards – for the XML documents used in electronic communications between its members. Covisint is an online trading community where automakers can place orders with their suppliers. A number of leading car manufacturers, including Ford, General Motors and Daimler Chrysler, participate in the portal.

The decision to deploy those two particular standards will further promote their adoption throughout the automotive industry for Internet messaging. (For a special report on how XML and Internet messaging are faring against the much better-established electronic data interchange messaging system, see the IT Report - Is dynamic planing in your future? )

Covisint will use ebXML, a global standard for business documents, for the so-called "message transport" layer. That is a set of electronic protocols that encloses a message, much like a paper envelope does a letter. In addition, Covisint will use the OAGIS standards for the "letter" in the electronic envelope. The portal will continue to accept messages in other formats too.