Access points are operators or service providers that, like InExchange, transmit documents to another access point.
If it is an operator, we often talk about a so-called VAN service. If it is a service provider that offers various forms of ERP solutions, the access point is often built into their system.
To become an access point in Peppol, a chain of approvals is required. First of all, a membership in OpenPeppol is needed. Then a certification process takes place. Being a member of OpenPeppol also comes at a cost. The organization charges an annual membership fee.
No interconnection agreements are required between the service providers, or operators, who have access points in Peppol's network, known formally as bilateral interconnection agreements. Instead, the operator signs a single agreement with a PEPPOL authority. In Sweden's case, this is DIGG (the Swedish Agency for Digital Government).
The variant with multiple routing rules, which we mentioned at the beginning, is otherwise common. We have it in Sweden, for example. Previously, interconnection agreements were required with each separate VAN operator to route traffic between them. Of course, this meant a huge job for everyone. If there were 200 VAN operators, interconnection agreements had to be drawn up with each of these 200.
Thus, in the case of Peppol, no interconnection agreement is needed. Once an operator has been approved as an access point, it is free to communicate with the other approved access points in the Peppol network.
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