Design and implementation of an extranet based Web system dedicated to the on-line standards development process

This paper outlines the design and implementation of an extranet based Web system dedicated to effective on-line standards making environments. The system, which is called SIGN (Standards Information Cooperation Network), is a workflow-based network application created with a view to fostering faster standards development with functionalities such as an electronic signature mechanism, electronic voting, comment gathering and dynamic links for ready retrieval of standards information stored in a database. This paper also discusses the concept of a VSDO (Virtual Standards Development Organization) that supports all the features needed by the relevant standards making bodies to carry out their activities in dynamic online environments.