Small-biz e-biz reflections from an EDI'er

[Ed Broomfield]

As I endeavour to keep abreast of this world's technological innovations in the field of electronic commerce, I am constantly reminded of the vast number of small business who still exchange paper invoices.   When I joined the EDI bandwagon in the late eighties it seemed the paper invoice was doomed and would not last more than a few years (of course, there would always be some exceptions). Then, the biggest hurdle was finding low-cost and reliable computers which could exchange documents seamlessly and efficiently both with the outside world and with internal accounting and logistics systems.   Computers are now cheap, and reasonably reliable (sic), yet despite all this, the man on the Clapham omnibus still feels safer with cellulose. Maybe it's a generation thing. But I wonder whether it's in part due to the fact that our industry is pathologically commited to generating steadily greater levels of complexity , whereas manual trading  has been around for millenia and is more or less understood by one and all. Knowledge engendours confidence and security - lack of knowledge can engendour reluctance and fear (acronymophobia?).    Are we not trying to run before we can walk with XML and small businesses? What happened to hitting that critical mass with first-generation EDI? I was taught by my masters not to impose EDI on a poor system as this would only consolidate existing problems. This is surely still true for any new technology.   Reactions at your leisure, please!   Ed Broomfield   ���������������� IT & Business Services Specialists in e-business Appt 3, Downs View, Holybourne, Hampshire GU34 4HY, U.K. Tel +44 (0)1420 543602 [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to xmledi-group as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]