This document provides a communication-protocol neutral method for exchanging electronic business messages. It defines specific enveloping constructs supporting reliable, secure delivery of business information. Furthermore, this document defines a flexible enveloping technique, permitting messages to contain payloads of any format type.

It specifies each of the following:

  1. Messaging model
  2. Message pulling and partitioning
  3.  Processing modes
  4.  Message packaging
  5.  Error handling
  6.  Security module
  7.  Reliable messaging module

This document is applicable to all types of organizations (e.g., commercial enterprises, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations) that exchange documents or data electronically using messaging.