X12 Additional Information
ORGANIZATION
ASC X12 Chair and Vice-chair
The ASC X12 chair and vice-chair are elected by majority vote of ASC X12 members to serve a two-year term of office. Chair Kendra Martin and Vice-chair Charley Quirt were elected in October 1995.
ASC X12 Standing Task Groups
ASC X12 has two standing task groups that address issues related to standards development.
The X12/EDIFACT Alignment Task Group (ATG) plans for the ASC X12 membership- mandated migration from ASC X12 to EDIFACT syntax.
The ASC X12 Delegate Liaison Task Group (DLTG) coordinates X12 representation to UN/EDIFACT Working Group (EWG) and communicates the ASC X12 position with regard to UN/EDIFACT issues.
Steering Committee
The ASC X12 Steering Committee develops recommendations for the administration of ASC X12 in close coordination with DISA. The Steering Committee is composed of the ASC X12 chair, vice-chair, subcommittee chairs, standing task group chairs, and the past ASC X12 chair and vice-chair. Nonvoting members include a representative from the secretariat, steering committee task group chairs, and a recording secretary.
The Steering Committee has several subgroups:
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The Executive Committee is responsible for those items delegated to it by the Steering Committee and is responsible for reporting all decisions, suggestions, resolutions, or motions to the Steering Committee at each ASC X12 regularly scheduled meeting.
The Strategic Implementation Task Group (SITG) is working to develop a US actionplan for the implementation of the next generation of EDI, including development of the framework for and ensuring the design of an architecture to support it. SITG is also working to ensure there is a single adopted EDI architecture solution which encompasses both X12 and international requirements.
The Policies and Procedures Task Group (P&P) makes recommendations to the Steering Committee concerning the organization, policies and procedures of the ASC X12 Committee.
The Liaison Task Group (LTG) keeps the ASC X12 leadership apprised of standards-setting activities in areas related to EDI.
Procedures Review Board
The Procedures Review Board (PRB) has primary responsibility to ensure that due process is followed before the approval of new project proposals, the release of documents for ASC X12 ballot, and approval of ASC X12's work products for publication.
ASC X12 Subcommittees
ASC X12 is the decision-making body responsible for developing evidence of consensus, which is necessary for approval of American National Standards. Subcommittees are assigned responsibility for specific standards development and standards maintenance activities, but their work must be ratified by the membership of ASC X12 as a whole. ASC X12 has twelve subcommittees.
PROCEDURES AND DEVELOPMENT
ASC X12 Standards Development
Going to an ASC X12 meeting is a good way to familiarize yourself with the ASC X12 process (call DISA (703) 548-7005 ext. 158, or e-mail Diane Huber for a schedule). If you are new to ASC X12, attend the orientation sessions first, where many of your initial questions can be answered. Then, choose to attend meetings of the ASC X12 subcommittee responsible for the standards of interest to you. At subcommittee and task group meetings, the best approach is to listen, collect information, and ask questions. If you are interested in becoming a voting member of a subcommittee, approach one of the officers after the meeting for information on how to join.
The "EDI/Electronic Commerce Seminar from DISA" is held in conjunction with ASC X12 meetings. This seminar is designed to help maximize your ability to participate in standards setting. Call DISA (703) 548-7005 ext. 175, or e-mail Connie Shaw for dates and locations.
There are published procedures for development and maintenance of ASC X12 standards and forms for submission of your formal requests. Call DISA (703)548-7005 ext. 150, or e-mail Yvonne Meding to obtain the proper forms and procedures documentation.
ASC X12 Voting Procedures
Organizations and individuals current in their dues are eligible to vote on ASC X12 issues. ASC X12 votes on technical issues by letter ballot. These are conducted by DISA and are open to all ASC X12 members of record. Administrative issues may be voted on by letter ballot or at general sessions during ASC X12 meetings.
Subcommittee votes are conducted according to procedures in each subcommittee's constitution. The first requirement to be eligible to vote is to have membership in that particular subcommittee; this membership always entails ASC X12 membership at a minimum, and may require attendance at a certain number of meetings. Check with the officers of each subcommittee for information on membership. Task groups and their work groups may operate more informally. Often any active member can vote, but officers should be consulted regarding voting requirements.
Organization & Procedures Manual
The ASC X12 Organization & Procedures Manual (OPM) defines the ASC X12 organization, membership, officers, functions, and general procedures. The OPM is distributed by DISA to new ASC X12 members and to others on request.
ASC X12 Standing Documents
The ASC X12 Steering Committee approves X12 Standing Documents, except those dealing with procedures.
MISSION AND PRINCIPLES
MISSION
Purpose of the Committee ASC X12 develops, maintains, interprets, publishes, and promotes the proper use of American National Standards and UN/EDIFACT international standards for electronic data interchange (EDI). Scope of Activities
- Standards activities undertaken by ASC X12 may encompass any subject area for which EDI standards can be developed.
- ASC X12 standards may allow data conforming to standards maintained by other standards organizations to be contained within an ASC X12 transaction set.
- ASC X12 will provide education to ensure proper use of its standards and will promote the expanded implementation of its standards.
PRINCIPLES
- We must provide high-quality standards that are responsive to the needs of the standards user and delivered in a timely manner.
- We must develop standards that are simple, efficient in use, and support as broad a user base as possible. The standards must be functionally specific and unambiguous to the standards user so that only one standard is available to satisfy the intended use.
- We must emphasize, as our primary responsibility, the development and maintenance of standards. However, we must also promote the expanded and proper use of the standards without interfering with the development and maintenance process.
- We must effectively manage the evolution of EDI standards to accommodate change and introduce new technology while ensuring an orderly and acceptable transition within the existing user base.
- We must have a defined architecture with comprehensive and effective rules and procedures for standards development and maintenance and must dedicate ourselves to following the same.
- We must collaborate closely with other related standards bodies to avoid any duplication of effort, conflict, or confusion which may adversely affect the EDI user community.
- We must represent our user community in the development of the UN/EDIFACT standards, ensuring maximum compatibility with American National Standards. As our ultimate goal, we should strive for one set of EDI standards worldwide.
- We must strictly adhere to the highest ethical principles.