Becoming a DBNA Service Provider - US Exchange Framework Certification

Becoming a DBNA Service Provider

A complete guide to obtaining DBNA Service Provider certification and access to the US Open Exchange Network for B2B document exchange

Access to America's fastest-growing B2B network

Becoming a DBNA Service Provider opens the door to a revolutionary way of B2B document exchange in the United States. As a certified service provider, you gain access to the US Open Exchange Network and can connect your customers to thousands of other businesses through one standardized interface.

DBNA (Digital Business Networks Alliance) is the non-profit organization that manages the US Exchange Framework - a secure, standardized network based on proven international standards but specifically adapted for the American market.

First production eInvoice successfully sent in March 2024

The DBNA network is operational and growing rapidly, with major players like Sovos, Storecove, Avalara and DocStudio as certified members.

DBNA Membership Options

DBNA offers various membership levels, each with specific benefits and requirements:

Basic Member
Access to DBNA resources and network information, suitable for organizations exploring their options.
  • Access to documentation and specifications
  • Participation in webinars and events
  • Network updates and newsletters
  • Community forum access
Recommended
Service Provider
Full access to the US Exchange Framework to connect customers to the DBNA network.
  • All Basic Member benefits
  • Access to Exchange Framework
  • SML/SMP certificates
  • Technical support
  • Co-marketing opportunities
Certified Service Provider
Highest level of certification with full compliance testing and premium support.
  • All Service Provider benefits
  • Official DBNA certification
  • Priority technical support
  • Advanced monitoring tools
  • White label options

The DBNA Certification Process: 6 Essential Steps

The process to become a certified DBNA Service Provider is streamlined but thorough. Follow these steps for successful certification:

1
Membership Application
Register your organization with DBNA and choose the appropriate membership level based on your business objectives.
US business registration and contact person definition
2
Technical Assessment
Evaluation of your existing technical infrastructure and development of implementation plan for DBNA connectivity.
IT team access and system architecture documentation
3
Access Point Development
Implementation of AS4 protocol and DBNA-compliant Access Point infrastructure for document exchange.
AS4 implementation expertise and secure hosting environment
4
SML/SMP Configuration
Setup of Service Metadata Locator and Publisher services for participant discovery and routing.
DNS configuration access and certificate management
5
Testing & Validation
Comprehensive conformance testing and end-to-end validation with other DBNA Service Providers.
Test environment setup and dedicated testing resources
6
Production Go-Live
Activation of production environment and onboarding of first customers to the DBNA network.
Monitoring setup and customer support processes

Technical Requirements and Specifications

DBNA follows international standards but with American adaptations. Here are the core requirements for technical implementation:

AS4 Protocol
Implementation of OASIS AS4 standard for secure message exchange between Access Points
4-Corner Model
Adherence to 4-corner architecture: Sender → C2 → C3 → Receiver via Access Points
SML/SMP Services
Service Metadata Locator and Publisher for participant discovery and routing information
PKI Certificates
DBNA-issued certificates for secure communication and participant authentication
Document Standards
Support for US eInvoice formats and B2B document types
API Integration
RESTful APIs for customer onboarding and document management

Technical Support

DBNA provides comprehensive technical documentation, developer workshops and direct support for all certification aspects. The organization has partnerships with experienced implementation partners worldwide.

Why become a DBNA Service Provider?

DBNA Service Provider membership offers unique advantages in the rapidly growing US einvoicing market:

Early Market Access
Be part of the first national B2B exchange network in the US and build a competitive advantage
Strategic Partnerships
Access to a network of Fortune 500 companies and government agencies adopting DBNA
Revenue Opportunities
New revenue streams through DBNA-enabled services and increased customer retention
Compliance Ready
Be prepared for future US einvoicing regulations and mandates
Global Interoperability
Potential connectivity with international networks like Peppol for global trade
Scalable Infrastructure
Benefit from DBNA's shared infrastructure and growing network effects
Investment in DBNA Service Provider Certification

DBNA certification costs are competitive compared to similar certifications, with clear ROI through early market access:

$15K - $50K
Membership & Setup
DBNA membership, onboarding and initial certification costs
$25K - $75K
Technical Development
AS4 implementation, Access Point development and testing infrastructure
$10K - $30K
Annual Operations
Membership fees, certificate renewal and ongoing compliance costs

ROI Expectation

Based on early DBNA adopters, typical ROI is 200-400% within 18 months through new customer acquisition and increased transaction volumes.

Timing & Market Opportunity

The US einvoicing market is on the verge of explosive growth. DBNA positions you strategically for this transformation:

Timeframe Market Development DBNA Advantage Action Required
2024-2025 Early adopter phase, pilot projects First-mover advantage, limited competition Start certification now
2025-2027 Mainstream adoption, enterprise rollouts Established network presence Expand customer base
2027+ Possible government mandates Compliance-ready infrastructure Market leadership position

Critical Timing Window

Industry experts predict that the first 50 DBNA Service Providers will have a significant competitive advantage. The network currently has fewer than 20 certified providers.

Ready for DBNA Service Provider Certification?

The US B2B landscape is transforming toward digital document exchange. As a DBNA Service Provider, you position your organization at the forefront of this revolution and open access to a billion-dollar market.

Start your certification journey today and become part of the network defining the future of US B2B commerce.

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