Testing and Certification implementation cycle Lloyd Chumbley ACORD Phil Brown - ACORD ACORD 2009 Phil Brown Project Manager, ACORD Email: pbrown@acord.org Phone: 044-20-76176402
Why the Testing & Certification Facility Ease of use Encourages iterative testing Single source for testing all ACORD messages Reality vs. standard d ideals Ensures compliance when stricter rules apply (Market Segments, Implementation Guides) Becomes a complete resource for all standard implementations
Two Types of Testing Business Message Testing Only Validates the Business Message Only Universal Message Validation Applies to LAH and PCS today Business Process Testing Includes Business Message Testing ACORD Message Service Web Service Methodology Using SOAP Orchestrated Dialog Based on Guides Only RLC today
What We Have to Test for Business Message Testing ACORD Basic Schema Certification Implementation Guides (against message rules in Guides) ACORD Rules (against full documentation) Market Segment (against additional restrictions)
Using TCF for Business Message Only Web Page Method Direct from ACORD Portal Testing via Market Segment Portal Email Method Web Service Method (Not Yet) Should not be confused with Business Process Testing Just another interface
Standard TCF Site All LAH Transactions & Guides Downloadable guides coming soon Multiple Versions Supported Interfaces with Certification Process http://tcf.acord.org/lah/
Automated Testing for Market Segments Ensures Full ACORD Compliance Applicable Transactions & Guides Downloadable Guides Multiple Versions Supported http://tcf.acord.org/dtcc/
Sample Results from TCF Passes full schema validation Fails DTCC specific rules Same results for all methods
LAH Testing & Certification Facility Plan Improved TCF Interface DTCC Attachment Service Active Now First 6 Transactions ready for member testing soon Adding 2 Guides for test by end of 2009 Add Partners like MIB & Astute S.A. by end of 2009 All Guides and Transactions by Spring 2010 Iterative plan incorporating Member feedback
What We Have to Test for RLC ACORD Basic Schema Certification Implementation Guides (against message rules in Guides) ACORD Rules (against full documentation) Market Segment (against additional restrictions) Business Process Testing
RLC usage Cut and paste method testing only Business Process method live since Jan 2008 Only way RLC certification is given TCF acts as a dummy business partner Predefined set of test messages and processes need to be successfully performed UMV and Business Process use same rules Business Process adds Compliance with AMS (now) AWSP (future) Checking of processes manual (now), automated (future)
First application form completed Backoffice: Technical accounting Infrastructure Able to send/receive using ACORD Messaging Service guidelines Dataset Complies with EBOT dataset and rules Process flows TechAccount o Able to send (or receive) TechAccount message o Able to receive (or send) Acknowledgement message Accept Reject Query (optional for certification) Able to process corrections o Cancel and cancel/replace of techaccount Types of transaction (at least one of below required for certification) Premium account Balance of account Claim account Also includes technical connectivity details URLS, Certificate details, etc
Then Test plan confirmed
Then certification is done ACORD staff member designated to support test/certification session Test window agreed Can be primary sender or receiver Either receive, validate and respond, or Send (based on templates) and validate responses Typically certification takes elapsed time of 1-2 weeks
AIM OF CERTIFICATION Aim is for certification to mean that applicant system is fully compliant with published standard Its relied upon by business partners and often included in RFP s to solution providers
Why RLC standards include process
RLC TCF - what s next Volumes of certifications increasing Ruschlikon initiative iti - all partners either certified or in process London Lloyd s Exchange Placing messages E-accounting USA Reinsurance market implementation meetings
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