Towards 2025: planned updates to eDelivery sample software
For those eDelivery users who rely on the Commission’s eDelivery sample software – Domibus, DomiSML and DomiSMP – it is important to take note of updates planned until 2025. The bulk of the work planned for 2024 and early 2025 will be to implement support for the new version of the eDelivery AS4 and SMP profiles, which are both under public consultation at the moment.
The current version of the eDelivery Access Point sample software is Domibus 5.1. While continuing to support both Domibus 5.0 and Domibus 5.1 until 07/06/2024 and 30/09/2024 respectively, the team is gearing up for the release of Domibus 5.2 with the release candidate (RC) planned to be available at the end of November 2023 and the final release (FR) to follow in February 2024. Thereafter, the work will start for Domibus 6.0, tentatively planned for the beginning of 2025.
DomiSMP has had a major release with version 5.0 only recently, in July. Users who have not already upgraded are strongly recommended to do so. The next version, DomiSMP 5.1, is expected to be published in the second half of 2024 with the RC coming out in September and the FR to be released one month later, in October 2024.
The release of DomiSML 4.3 is imminent and it will be the defining version for a longer period of time, while the technical team is preparing the release of DomiSML 5.0 for April/May 2025. The RC for DomiSML 4.3 is scheduled towards the beginning of September 2023 with the FR to follow mid-October of the same year.
The roadmap delineated here is tentative and as such subject to change. The eDelivery team remains committed to an agile approach, ensuring the development aligns effectively with evolving requirements.
For those interested in more details, there is an overview of planned features for the upcoming releases on the eDelivery website: check out the pages for Domibus, DomiSML and DomiSMP.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on eDelivery services by checking the building block's Twitter and web page. For more information, do not hesitate to register for personalised news or contact us via our portal or by e-mail: EC-EDELIVERY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu.
The eDelivery Building Block
eDelivery is a building block that provides technical specifications and standards, installable software and ancillary services to allow projects to create a network of nodes for secure digital data exchange.
Domibus is the sample software provided by the European Commission to implement an eDelivery AS4 Access Point for the interoperable, secure and reliable data exchange. It is based on the eDelivery AS4 profile, an open technical specification for the secure, web-based, payload-agnostic exchange of data or documents.
DomiSMP is the sample software provided by the European Commission to implement an eDelivery Service Metadata Publisher for publishing and retrieving data necessary for an eDelivery party to dynamically configure its system for message exchange with counterparties using eDelivery. It is based on the eDelivery SMP profile, an open technical specification for publishing service metadata within a 4-corner network.
DomiSML is the sample software provided by the European Commission to implement an eDelivery Service Metadata Locator for an eDelivery party to discover the URLs of other counterparties using eDelivery Access Points and their corresponding metadata. It is based on the eDelivery BDXL profile, an open technical specification for locating Access Points within a network, and on the PEPPOL SML Specification, a technical specification defining a BDXL administration API.
Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash
eInvoicing in Belgium: Exploring the Impact of Directive 2014/55/EU and Looking at the Future of eInvoicing
On 20 June 2023, the European Commission engaged in an eInvoicing webinar with Belgian public and private sector representatives to discuss EU initiatives and national developments in eInvoicing. This provided an opportunity for Belgian stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of EU initiatives and for the European Commission to gather valuable feedback. The primary outcome was the complete alignment between the European and Belgian approaches to eInvoicing.
Impact of Directive 2014/55/EU on B2G transactions
Following the publication of Directive 2014/55/EU, public authorities in Europe are mandated to process electronic invoices that adhere to the European Standard. Belgium transposed this Directive to national law on April 7, 2019. In accordance with Directive 2014/55/EU, public authorities are required to process electronic invoices that comply with the European Standard. Belgium implemented this Directive into national law on April 7, 2019. To expedite the adoption of eInvoicing in public procurement, a Royal Decree was issued on March 9, 2022, mandating that all economic operators submit electronic invoices in compliance with the European standard for eInvoicing in public procurement. This requirement is being implemented through the renewal of tenders. The Belgian public sector has also established a support program to assist economic operators in adapting to this change and to mitigate any negative impacts.
Progress in B2B eInvoicing
In his policy notes of 2022 and 2023, the Belgium Minister of Finance, Vincent Van Peteghem, announced the government’s proposal for a gradual introduction of mandatory B2B eInvoicing. The proposal is subject to approval by parliament. As such, no implementation timeline can be communicated, as this will depend on the timing of the parliamentary process. The Peppol framework - for secure cross-border exchange of electronic business documents - will serve as a common denominator to address the interoperability challenges in eInvoicing.
In its initial phase, the Belgian strategy would focus on regulating and standardising invoicing processes. This will involve establishing clear guidelines and requirements for businesses when issuing and receiving invoices electronically. In the subsequent phase, a new use for electronic invoices would be introduced by using eInvoicing for digital VAT reporting, ensuring greater accuracy and efficiency, and allowing for better monitoring and analysis of economic activities. Public authorities will gain valuable insights into business transactions, enabling them to make more informed decisions and policies. This is in line with what is foreseen in the European Commission’s VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) legislative proposal, setting eInvoicing to become the default system for invoicing as of January 2028. Recognising that harmonisation is crucial, ViDA requires all Member States to accept the use of the EU eInvoicing standard for eInvoicing in all national eInvoicing systems.
Looking at the future of eInvoicing
The implementation of Directive 2014/55/EU has been instrumental in shaping eInvoicing practices in Belgium, not only in the B2G sector. As Belgium continues to promote eInvoicing, it is crucial for businesses to remain informed of evolving standards and to leverage technological advancements that facilitate its adoption. eInvoicing not only enhances operational efficiency but also supports sustainable business practices by reducing paper usage and promoting environmental sustainability. It also plays a vital role in optimising the financing of the economy. Further updates on ongoing political discussions regarding the Belgian proposal are expected in the coming months. As Belgium progresses in eInvoicing, it is well-positioned to further improve its digital infrastructure and drive national economic growth.
eDelivery Interoperability Forum Gains Momentum
The eDelivery Interoperability Forum constitutes a central platform to convene experts in eDelivery software and solution development to learn, deliberate and collaborate. The recent meeting held on 27 June 2023, marked a significant milestone in this ongoing journey, setting the stage for future progress and innovation.
Key Discussions at the Forum Meeting
The convened assembly showcased a diverse and knowledgeable group of industry experts engaged in eDelivery. A central topic of the discussion was the proposed update to the eDelivery AS4 and SMP specifications. Participants delved into nuanced aspects of these updates, seeking reassurance for a seamless transition, and ensuring that the proposed changes align with the overarching objectives of efficiency and security.
The symbiotic relationship between eDelivery as a Building Block and its service providers was highlighted by the productive discussion towards fostering a vibrant market for eDelivery software vendors and providers, focusing on best practices as well as expectations.
For those seeking a deeper understanding, presentation materials and minutes of the meeting are accessible via the dedicated community page: https://europa.eu/!rWvgfY.
Anticipating the Next Gathering
The success of the preceding meeting has set the stage for the upcoming assembly on 28 November 2023. This forthcoming event promises to delve into the outcomes of the public consultation on AS4 2.0 and SMP 2.0 specifications. The iterative process ensures that the standards are refined in alignment with industry insights and requirements.
However, the agenda for the upcoming meeting extends beyond the consultation outcomes: the team is excited to talk about changes happening to the eDelivery conformance testing and the presentation of conformant solutions on the eDelivery website – a strategic initiative to improve accessibility and visibility of solutions and providers for eDelivery stakeholders.
This upcoming event will continue the conversation on improving the market for eDelivery products and services. A presentation of an eDelivery project will dwell on unique challenges and requirements showcasing the market possibilities for private sector players.
The ongoing conversation with the community is at the core of the eDelivery Interoperability Forum. With this in mind, the eDelivery team is very much looking forward to hearing thoughts and suggestions from solution and service providers.
If you have not already done so, you can sign up to be a contact point and join the conversation at the next eDelivery Interoperability Forum on 28 November: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/x/pANiK
Stay tuned for the latest updates on the eDelivery services by checking the building block's twitter and web page. For more information, do not hesitate to register for personalised news or contact us via our portal or by e-mail: EC-EDELIVERY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu.
The eDelivery Building Block
eDelivery is a building block that provides technical specifications and standards, installable software and ancillary services to allow projects to create a network of nodes for secure digital data exchange.
The eDelivery Conformance Testing service allows testing software products and services against the eDelivery specifications. The technical specifications are translated into test assertions, which are the main unit for testing and reporting the conformance of an implementation. Based on the test assertions, test cases are derived and implemented on the test platform in the form of executable test scripts. An implementation can only pass the conformance testing process in case all mandatory test assertions have been successfully completed. The outcome of the test execution is documented in a test report which is published alongside the name of the product in the pages displaying the eDelivery conformant solutions (AS4, SMP).
Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash
Discover the Benefits of eDelivery: Join the Webinar on 28 September
Are you curious about eDelivery and its value proposition? Join us for a webinar on 28 September from 14:00 to 16:00 (CET) to learn more about this innovative service.
During our webinar on 28 September, we’ll guide you through the eDelivery world and take you on a tour of many applications while also explaining what is in and out of scope for eDelivery. Along the way, we’ll share the history of eDelivery and testimonials from eDelivery projects will give you the opportunity to learn about how eDelivery is being used in different contexts to improve data exchange.
But that’s not all! We’ll also be answering your burning questions about eDelivery. So come prepared with your curiosity and join us for an adventure of learning, exploration, and discovery.
One of the key benefits of eDelivery is its ability to streamline data exchange between businesses and public administrations. By adopting eDelivery, stakeholders can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance security.
There are four main goals behind an eDelivery implementation: interoperability, scalability & performance, security, and legal assurance & accountability. By providing common technical specifications that enable diverse organizations to exchange data and documents, eDelivery promotes an atmosphere of trust among all participants through a message exchange network.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the advantages of eDelivery and hear live testimonials from projects that have adopted it. Sign up for the webinar here: https://europa.eu/!kRgNpF
We look forward to seeing you there!
Stay tuned for the latest updates on the eDelivery services by checking the building block's twitter and web page. For more information, do not hesitate to register for personalised news or contact us via our portal or by e-mail: EC-EDELIVERY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu.
The eDelivery Building Block
eDelivery is a building block that provides technical specifications and standards, installable software and ancillary services to allow projects to create a network of nodes for secure digital data exchange.
The eDelivery Conformance Testing service allows testing software products and services against the eDelivery specifications. The technical specifications are translated into test assertions, which are the main unit for testing and reporting the conformance of an implementation. Based on the test assertions, test cases are derived and implemented on the test platform in the form of executable test scripts. An implementation can only pass the conformance testing process in case all mandatory test assertions have been successfully completed. The outcome of the test execution is documented in a test report which is published alongside the name of the product in the pages displaying the eDelivery conformant solutions (AS4, SMP).
Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash
Domibus 5.0.6 Released!
This latest release of Domibus 5.0.6 introduces a range of improvements and bug fixes. Notably, this includes an updated upgrade procedure, performance improvements for message exchange with Push binding and a simplified messages page of the Admin Console. These improvements are designed to increase system performance, in particular during periods of high load. For a comprehensive list of all improvements and bug fixes, please visit the dedicated page at: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/x/CQexK
Domibus 5.0.6 is backward compatible with 5.0.5 and the upgrade is not mandatory, but highly recommended.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on eDelivery services by checking the building block's Twitter and web page. For more information, do not hesitate to register for personalised news or contact us via our portal or by e-mail: EC-EDELIVERY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu.
The eDelivery Building Block
eDelivery is a building block that provides technical specifications and standards, installable software and ancillary services to allow projects to create a network of nodes for secure digital data exchange.
Domibus is the sample software provided by the European Commission to implement an eDelivery AS4 Access Point for the interoperable, secure and reliable data exchange. It is based on the eDelivery AS4 profile, an open technical specification for the secure, web-based, payload-agnostic exchange of data or documents.
DomiSMP is the sample software provided by the European Commission to implement an eDelivery Service Metadata Publisher for publishing and retrieving data necessary for an eDelivery party to dynamically configure its system for message exchange with counterparties using eDelivery. It is based on the eDelivery SMP profile, an open technical specification for publishing service metadata within a 4-corner network.
DomiSML is the sample software provided by the European Commission to implement an eDelivery Service Metadata Locator for an eDelivery party to discover the URLs of other counterparties using eDelivery Access Points and their corresponding metadata. It is based on the eDelivery BDXL profile, an open technical specification for locating Access Points within a network, and on the PEPPOL SML Specification, a technical specification defining a BDXL administration API.
We have updated the eDelivery website for you!
The eDelivery team has given the eDelivery website a thorough rework to make it more user-friendly and provide the latest relevant information. This effort ensures that users can easily access top-notch resources to support the implementation and utilization of eDelivery.
Here is what has changed in a nutshell:
- Direct access to eDelivery news, the eDelivery leaflet and the eDelivery user community.
- The events section, where you can find out about webinars, workshops, conferences and other eDelivery events. You can also register for future events and access presentations and recordings of past events.
- The videos section, where you can directly access our most recent topics, such as exchanging large files with eDelivery and how to send your first AS4 message, as well as tutorials for the use of the sample software of the European Commission.
- The link to our PeerTube channel where you can access all video recordings of more recent content from the Digital Europe Programme (DEP) and even previous content developed under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)!
- The signup link to the newsletter so you can stay up to date with eDelivery news.
We hope that these new features will make the eDelivery website more informative, interactive and user-friendly for you.
Access the website here!
There are many more changes planned to further improve the content and usability. We invite you to explore the latest updates and let us know what you think – is there anything that you are missing or that would be useful for the community?
Stay tuned for the latest updates on eDelivery services by checking the building block's Twitter and web page. For more information, do not hesitate to register for personalised news or contact us via our portal or by e-mail: EC-EDELIVERY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu.
The eDelivery Building Block
eDelivery is a building block that provides technical specifications and standards, installable software and ancillary services to allow projects to create a network of nodes for secure digital data exchange.
Domibus is the sample software provided by the European Commission to implement an eDelivery AS4 Access Point for the interoperable, secure and reliable data exchange. It is based on the eDelivery AS4 profile, an open technical specification for the secure, web-based, payload-agnostic exchange of data or documents.
DomiSMP is the sample software provided by the European Commission to implement an eDelivery Service Metadata Publisher for publishing and retrieving data necessary for an eDelivery party to dynamically configure its system for message exchange with counterparties using eDelivery. It is based on the eDelivery SMP profile, an open technical specification for publishing service metadata within a 4-corner network.
DomiSML is the sample software provided by the European Commission to implement an eDelivery Service Metadata Locator for an eDelivery party to discover the URLs of other counterparties using eDelivery Access Points and their corresponding metadata. It is based on the eDelivery BDXL profile, an open technical specification for locating Access Points within a network, and on the PEPPOL SML Specification, a technical specification defining a BDXL administration API.
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash