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ACTIVITIES :: eTen :: Projects :: Projects of the Month :: SELIS

May 2007 Project of the Month: SELIS

Issues being addressed

Most contemporary e-invoicing implementations are based on EDI, which is an option covered by the European Directive 2001/115/EC on e-invoicing but demonstrates several disadvantages (e.g. high operating costs, non interoperable), which hamper e-invoicing to be offered in affordable cost. Although there are e-invoicing systems that use advanced e-signatures (the alternative option by the Directive) there are no existing implementations that guarantee a robust interoperable service provision and at the same time satisfy the security requirements on the exchange and management of the e-invoices. SELIS aimed to lift these disadvantages. The SELIS architecture has already been accepted by the CENISSS eInvoicing Focus Group (2003) as an innovative example for a secure, interoperable eInvoice solution.

SELIS is validating the service in the European market. SELIS has extended trials and evaluations among three involved Chambers of Commerce and thirteen SMEs from Romania, Greece and France. It encouraged as well other users to participate in the pilot phase.

Objectives of the project

The goal of SELIS is to conduct a market validation analysis at a pan European level with projected initial deployment in 2006 and full deployment by 2009. Its main objectives are to deploy an eInvoicing service, evaluate the feasibility and extent of its market exploitation and demonstrate the effectiveness and benefits of the use of standardised electronic invoicing among SMEs in EU. Other objectives of SELIS include:

• Assessing the viability of deploying an eInvoicing service to SMEs.
• Finalising certain aspects of the service pertaining to its definitive deployment.
• Addressing scenarios for deployments and seeking remedies for adverse eventualities.
• Shortening time to market.

Services

SELIS, is a cross-border service for the secure exchange of eInvoices. SELIS is based on an innovative architecture that adopts the most advanced standards for the secure provision of interoperable services (Web services, XML, PKI) in line with the general requirements of the EU framework. SELIS enables integration with accounting software currently in place or can be used as a stand-alone solution that suits smaller users.

The SELIS service provides a suitable interface to the authorised user for inputting the necessary data for the invoice fields. The resulting invoice document is then signed by the authorised user, who accesses his credentials from a smart card. As soon as the outgoing eInvoice document is reviewed and signed, the remaining steps of the procedure are automated. These include the dispatch and reception of the electronic invoice by means of a Web Service-based mechanism and its storage for further processing by accounting systems and management operations, as well as the return of a signed “receipt” stored by the issuer’s part of the service.

Achievements

SELIS meets the electronic signatures and security requirements of the European Directive. The structure of the SELIS service has been submitted and accepted by CEN/ISSS (European Committee for Standardisation/ Information Society Standardisation System) eInvoicing focus group as a Member State example (Greece). The numerous scientific publications, dissemination and clustering activities with other EC projects such as Tenuta, Genesis, e-Major, SWEB demonstrate the commitment and determination of the SELIS partners for further deployment.

Expected benefits by the end of the project

The launching of a cross-border service for exchanging eInvoices securely will contribute to the improvement of competitiveness of enterprises. SELIS enables firms to be more efficient in their invoicing procedures through a significant reduction of costs relevant to the important amount of invoices on paper base and the expenses involved in printing and delivering them. Therefore the main anticipated benefits are the cost reductions and also the minimisation of communication time required between parties involved in the invoicing procedures. Moreover, by enabling enterprises to exchange invoices regardless their location, they are encouraged to extend their business to other areas of the European Union and to cross-borders partners. On the other hand, SELIS offers a service that facilitates electronic auditing and therefore assists the public tax authorities.

Partners

• University of Piraeus Research Center ( Greece)
• Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie De Paris (France)
• Athens Chamber of Commerce And Industry (Greece)
• EXPERTNET S.A. (Greece)
• Camera de Comert si Industrie Brasov (Romania)

The project tested and evaluated its feasibility for the deployment of the service with the help of trials at national and European level that involved participants of the Chambers and 13 SMEs from:

• France : Ysentis, Sisteer, Combbase, Air Glass
• Greece : ELSOP, d.d.synergy Hellas S.A, Protech Information Systems S.A, Teletel, Sigular Logic
• Romania : International Trade Center, Cand I.T Solutuons, attract Trading Company, Sistem

Reference Data

Project's website:http://selis.unipi.gr
Contract Type: Market Validation Project
Start Date: 01/2006
End Date: : 06/2007
Duration: 18 Months