Good question Paul. Really there is no benefit at all for using xml in EDI.
The sad thing is that the real advantage of EDI is often overlooked because
of a preoccupation with cutting out the VAN. xml was/is seen as a means to
allowing EDI over non-charging networks. Its a bit like walking 10 miles to
save 50p on bus fare. It's good for you but is it really worth it?
Where xml is really useful is in e-Marketplaces (portals, vortals, extranets
or whatever current buzz word is preferred). Most business visitors to an
e-Marketplace will have applications of their own. Using the browser to
access the e-Marketplace will soon have them saying what they said in the
late 70's and early 80's after suppliers had provided a nice black screened,
green charactered terminal into their ordering system with the promise of
better responsiveness if they typed in the orders themselves. A few weeks
later the instruction would come to take it away and that they were fed up
of typing everything twice. Once into the suppliers terminal and once into
their own system. "No. We will send you our orders by fax or phone. You
type them in!"
Now if the e-Marketplace is served by systems that use xml and xsl the
visitor can be attracted to the site, start working and when they are ready
for integration with their own systems they will have a structure that is
perfect for the task. They don't need to do the typing twice, they don't
introduce typographical errors in the process, they get the same advantages
they would have had from EDI.
We find that the dynamic information is best served via xml with xsl with
the more static information via EDI.
By the way all this talking shop stuff about the "Standards" is just a
repeat of what went on when EDI came on the scene. Just like EDI, some folk
just got on with it and started using it. If you want to see some
applications in use with xml let me know. Our customers have been using our
xml offerings for several years in real world business.
Regards
richard
Richard Ward
Sterling Commerce
Telephone: +44 (0) 1246 279700
Fax: +44 (0) 1246 230117
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Williams [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: 28 June 2000 08:54
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Are there really any benefits?.
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hi all
Again, like a few other recently I'm a new member and this is going to be my
first input into the group. I have a question, it's a simple one I think,
but
may ruffle up a few feathers.
I've recently been looking into XML/EDI as part of a work project, and as
said
by another member recently there is an awful lot of information out there,
it's
quite difficult to piece it all together. BUT I now have some ideas about
what
XML can do, and where it may be used, BUT and here's my question......
IS THERE REALLY ANY BENEFIT FOR USING XML?
As I understand it, when we receive an XML message we will still have to run
it
through an application (such as Gentran so we can map out into a format that
our
database systems (such as Oracle) can understand.
Using a Parsa and a DTD (and with all the XML tags in the file) surly it's
more
complicated and increases the size of the message being sent? I don't see
what XML in EDI can benefit the company.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO MAY BE ABLE TO PERSUADE ME OTHERWISE?. (your comments
will
be greatly received.)
Cheers
Paul
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