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EDI
Vs. XML - Do you
know which way to go? |
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EDI is a standardized file
format and XML is a language.
While there are many
advantages to XML, there is an
established EDI base,
successfully exchanging
millions of business documents
between thousands of trading
partners. There are many
factors to consider when
deciding when to use EDI and
XML.
XML has been billed as the
solution for the Small and
Medium Sized Enterprise (SME),
and has
many advantages, but
requires sophisticated
encryption and security.
The promise of easy,
affordable, accurate and
timely electronic business
transactions will
be realized
when it is built into our
order
entry, inventory,
accounting and warehouse
management applications.
Then we won't know or care if
we are "doing" EDI, XML or
the
next great thing to come
along.
In the meantime, however,
making good business decisions
requires learning about, and
evaluating your options..
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A Textbook Definition of
XML:
XML is a
markup language for
defining, validating and
sharing documents containing
structured information.
XML provides a file
format for representing
data, a schema for
distinguishing and
describing data structures
and a mechanism for
extending and notating HTML.
Unlike HTML,
with
XML, tags can be designed
for specific purposes.
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Advantages of XML |
Considerations |
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XML is a language, and
will be built into
off-the-shelf
software. |
We must create standards
and demonstrate
the stability of those
standards so software
vendors will make the
financial investment
needed to build in e-business
transactions. |
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XML will use the
ubiquitous, less expensive
public network (the Internet). |
We need interoperable
compression and
security. We also
need Certificate
Authorities
to assign encryption keys
and track when they
are compromised or expire. |
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We will have
cross-industry and
international
standards, instead of
having a different version
for each industry or
global region.
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We are currently working
on creating these
standards. |
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The same file may be
formatted for computer
processing and for viewing
by individuals. |
Style sheets are written
by programmers to
provide views of selective
and useful
information. |
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XML lends itself to
real-time, on-line
processing (inventory,
forecasting, etc.). |
We must upgrade our
applications to process
data in a real-time
environment. |
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XML can point to data
bases and repositories
of synchronized data. |
Again, we need
interoperable security and
Certificate Authorities. |
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