Mark, I read with interest your comments in the EDI-L group regarding alternatives to FAX for SMEs. I've been working on this topic for years, so I've tried almost everything: WebEDI, EDI-to-FAX, XML, Service Bureaus, etc..Although all of these do work to some extent, none of them are even close to true EDI-to-EDI exchanges for one simple reason: AUTOMATION. So after all these years experimenting, I've come to one conclusion: the best EDI solution for SMEs would be inexpensive, easy to use EDI! For these reasons we have developed a solution that consists of two pieces: 1) an inexpensive EDI transtation engine (API), and 2) optional map 'libraries' for each HUB (large trading partner). The map libraries include all the necessary maps for the entire EDI business cycle with each HUB. For instance, in the case of Wal-Mart a library would include maps for: 850, 860, 820, 824, 810, 820, 847, 997s, etc. All maps are pre-configured according to Wal-Mart's ICs and convert to/from text files or CSVs that look exactly like the paper equivalents that Wal-Mart and the SMEs are using today. The HUB may buy corporate licenses to distribute both the translation engines and the map libaries free to all their SMEs. Or the SMEs may download them from a Web Site at a reasonable (sponsored?) price. This allows the HUB to take total control of their EDI implementation, enabling all of their trading partners with complete EDI business cycles tools all at one! No need to wait for a TP to buy expensive and complicated EDI solutions, exchange ICs, engage a consultant, and implement one transaction at a time... The SME is also happy cause now they can receive multiple EDI transactions, print them if they so wish, and/or import/export the data to their own applications such as account packages or MS-Office tools. As to the communications you can use anything: AS1, AS2, AS3, FTP, SMTP (e-mail), HTTP, etc..even VAN! It's a new concept that we're now just now experimenting with, but so far the Betas have worked just great. Hope this helps. Ricardo
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