This Network Update was distributed via the Exchange Network email alerts list on July 25, 2006.

The Network Operations Board has released two new resources to help developers create fully functional and documented data exchanges. A template for creating Data Exchange Templates (DETs) and a revised process document for preparing Schema Conformance Reports are now available in the newly reorganized Build an Exchange section of the website.

The DET template will help schema developers create DETs for new data exchanges. DETs outline each data element within XML schemas along with definitions, validation rules, and example content. DETs offer easy to read versions of XML schema that can help implementers map their data to the schema. Download the DET template

The Schema Conformance Report Preparation and Review Process provides step-by-step instructions and a template for preparing Schema Conformance Reports. It also includes an overview on preparing Flow Documentation Packages and submitting them for review by the Network Technology Group (NTG). Flow documentation packages include resources such as XML schema, Flow Configuration Documents, and data exchange templates. Developers must submit flow documentation packages to the NTG in order to publish the resources for a new or updated data exchange to the Exchange Network website and Network Registry. Visit http://www.exchangenetwork.net/dev_schema/publish.htm for more information on how to use this new document to publish the resources for your data exchange to the Exchange Network website.