The technological heart: the VDV Core Application

The core of it all

The VDV Core Application is our open data and interface standard for electronic ticketing and electronic fare management (EFM) in public transport. The VDV Core Application is the technological heart of the (((eTicket Deutschland electronic ticketing system, which serves as the basis for the EFM systems that have been introduced throughout Germany by transport authorities and providers.

VDV eTicket Service, the company in charge of operating the system, has developed this technological standard and manages it.

What the VDV Core Application is capable of

The VDV Core Application

Here are the latest versions of all the specifications for the VDV Core Application, the current release plan and the release letter, as well as a management summary about (((eTicket Deutschland.

Release plan

Here is the current release plan for version 3.0.0 of the VDV Core Application. This plan is updated on a regular basis.

Download Releaseplan V3.0.0

Agreements, infrastructure and certification

Agreements, infrastructure and certification

VDV-ETS offers transport providers and authorities three contract options to allow them to participate in the (((eTicket Deutschland programme:

FULL (((eTicket is a comprehensive package that includes all technical services and VDV-ETS support for test environments and operational use.

Download Produktblatt FULL (((eTicket

(((eTicket Ready is the perfect starter package for transport providers and authorities that initially only want to conduct technical tests for later operational use. (((eTicket Ready gives you access to (((eTicket Deutschland’s background systems in a secure test environment so that you can test the development of your own electronic fare management system in the VDV Core Application environment.

Download Produktblatt (((eTicket Ready

(((eTicket Barcode is a limited participation agreement that is ideal for transport providers and authorities that currently intend to offer their (((eTicket only as a mobile ticket and would like to use the 2D barcode.

Download Produktblatt (((eTicket Barcode

Once you have decided to start using (((eTicket Deutschland, you will need the right infrastructure in addition to the participation agreement and the specifications. The components supplied by your manufacturers of choice should be certified by CTC advanced GmbH’s independent testing laboratory in accordance with the VDV-ETS guidelines to ensure that they work correctly in the VDV Core Application environment.

Certification is currently available for the following system components:

• User media (such as chip cards) and user media applets: As the interface between the customer or user and the (((eTicket, it has to be possible to read and update user media reliably at any terminal while complying with the required security processes (authentication and access security).
• Terminals: As the devices that communicate with user media, terminals must be able to reliably read and update all media and data while complying with the required security processes. They have to provide a full customer interface in line with the specifications and a secure communication link to background systems.
• Background systems: Through their interfaces, their job is to enable the transactions between a wide range of systems that are necessary for the VDV Core Application’s business processes.

Find out more

VDV eTicket Service provides the central systems for (((eTicket Deutschland. At present there are four systems in operation: the ASM-Tool, the Central Exchange Service (ZVM), the Verification and Blocking List Service (KOSE) and the Interoperable Network (ION). The last central component of the interoperable (((eTicket Deutschland, a clearing System, is currently under development.

ASM-Tool

The first step for transport companies to join (((eTicket Deutschland is to register at the application and security management tool (ASM-Tool).

Here, all organization IDs of the participating companies are generated. Product managers register their products at the ASM-Tool and receive security components for testing and operating. After registration of their products at the ASM Tool, product managers receive

Registered transport companies receive all specifications, products and documentations over the ASM-tool.

Central systems

Interoperable Network (ION)

The interoperable network (ION) enables nationwide communication between all (((eTicket Deutschland participants and other the central services of (((eTicket Deutschland. Data exchanged by the participating companies are end-to-end-encrypted, thus complying with the highest standards.

Central Exchange Service (ZVM)

To ensure that the data within the ION is send to the correct recipient, VDV eTicket Service runs the Central Exchange Service (ZVM).

ZVM mediates technical messages between all participants of (((eTicket Deutschland. In case of a ticket control for instances, the local bus company learns that its customer is travelling by train. Or a transport company in Cologne receives the message that its customer is using the eTicket in Berlin, which enables them to prepare the settlement.

Verification and Blocking List Service (KOSE)

In case an eTicket gets stolen or lost, the ticket will be blocked immediately after notification. The Verification and Blocking List Service receives such blocking or unblocking requests, generates the current blocking lists and transfers them custom-fit to all participating eTicket Deutschland companies. With KOSE, all terminals and testing instruments can check an eTicket (and transport passes) for its validity.

Clearing

Clearing ensures that services from foreign tariff regions can be settled between the participating transport companies or transport associations. First there is product clearing (determines the correct fares and prices for the customer's travel chains) and then there is accounts receivable clearing (calculates the distribution of revenues among the participating companies).

ASM tool for business clients

Business clients can take advantage of our ASM tool, which provides a standard client interface for application and security management. This web service supports administrative and organisational tasks. For example, it can be used to set access rights for (((eTicket Deutschland data. Clients can use the tool to access specifications, order components and manage contacts.

Registration is necessary to take advantage of all our ASM services – and it’s a breeze. We have recorded the individual process steps in the ASM tool, such as ordering SAMs, in a user manual.

Seminare

Currently the website content about our seminars is available only in German.