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| Gateway To Everything, but EVERYTHING about Electronic Commerce and EDI |
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Our EDI Toolbox editor BLOGS on EC-BP.ORG So does Mike Kelly Check out our latest blogs. |
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| If you would have asked a B2B practitioner in 1998 whether EDI would still be in use ten years from now, chances are high that he or she would have predicted no. With the emergence of the Internet and new XML technologies, EDI was sure to be replaced by “newer, better, more powerful” e-commerce standards. Yet, as we approach the half way point in 2008, EDI continues to be the dominant standard in B2B globally. Not only does EDI remain popular, but its use is growing more accepted, not less. |
| FORUMS, BLOGS and OTHER RESOURCES |
| A discussion list (on YAHOO!) for EDI and related business to business data interchange. |
| Gentran Integration Suite (GIS) Users Group |
| Learning EDI |
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| Our Transportation EDI Section |
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Supply Chain Management (SCM)
The importance of electronic commerce to your supply chain |
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AS2
Specifications for reliable business communications standards Check out free as2 (1 partner). |
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B2B WebSites
The Web is what forms the foundation of e-commerce, and facilitates the new level of cooperation that exists between business partners |
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EDI Glossary
In the eyes of the US Government |
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Financial EDI
Financial EDI (FEDI) is the computer-to-computer exchange of payment and payment-related information between companies using a standard format. |
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Mapping and EDI Standards
The conversion from one format to another format is considered "mapping". EDI incorporates standard layouts for all business documents. |
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Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) is a unique not-for-profit organization where, for more than 25 years, OEM's, suppliers, service suppliers, government and academia have worked collaboratively to drive cost and complexity from the supply chain via global standards development and harmonized business practices." Their membership is not just the "big three" but includes Caterpillar, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, VW. See a copy of their newsletter that has our article about the last decade of EDI. Is EDI Hot—or Not? Here’s one expert’s opinion on what has changed in the world of EDI over the last decade. |
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Retail EDI
RetailEDI.com was formed by a collective group of people within the Retail industry to address common interests. All have been involved within the industry for between 10-20 years doing everything from helping companies get integrated, selling software, designing process and strategic approaches to help suppliers, retailers, 3PLs and many others. One of the things they are trying to accomplish with the site is providing a place where people can come and learn about how processes within the industry can be interconnected and efficiency brought to bear through measured, well thught out plans. The consumer walking into a retail location never realizes how many companies, processes and how much technology were brought to bear to insure there is a shirt hanging on a rack that fits - that the price ticket reflects the correct price - or the person at the counter is able to check to see when their next shipment of a particular size/style of shoe is coming in. The site could have called Retailprocesses or something - but RetailEDI was chosen because so many of the systems in retail are or can be managed within the common understanding of the term "EDI" The other goal with the site is to promote solutions. The goal is where a semi-social network takes over and people in need can be put in touch with people who can solve. Simple enough premise - putting people in touch with each other. |
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Not only can you search hotels by city, but you can search by
your favorite chain of hotels.
Going to Orlando or Philadelphia or wherever, we can find all the best hotels at the best rates!!! |
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| Electronic Data Interchange: (EDI) Customer tells you that he only orders over EDI??? What do you do now??? We have been there and can help. Click here or on the calculator to find out what EDI and electronic commerce are all about. |
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JWH Rapid Response Temporary Housing On site containers become residential accommodation, offices and much more! Services we provide are: Transportation to your site. Site preparation for your portable shelter. Assembly of your portable shelter. Subsequent enhancements or moving of your portable shelter. |
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What is XML? XML is an acronym which stands for Extensible Markup Language. XML is a markup language for documents containing structured information. Both content (words, pictures, etc.) and some indication of what role the content plays are contained in structured information. Almost all documents have some structure. A markup language is a mechanism to identify structures in a document. XML defines a standard way to ad markup to documents. XML was created for richly structured documents and stored data to be used over the web within a structure common to all viewing parties. The only viable alternatives, HTML and SGML, are not practical for this purpose. The use of XML is expected to grow rapidly over the next five years, just as the popularity and use of HTML has grown over the last five years. HTML stands for "Hypertext Markup Language". HTML is the language which allows developers to present electronic media (i.e. web pages, email) in color, bold, and different size text. It allows the OTC Journal to look like a magazine, but definitely has limitations. XML opens a whole new door to the Internet and its capabilities which HTML is incapable of filling. XML is a standardized simplified language, which allows richly structured documents and legacy data of all kinds to easily understand each other. Two examples of the use of XML are the NASDAQ quote feed and the SEC's EDGAR System. Dozens of commercial stock quote providers pull their data from the NASDAQ quote feed. The information comes to them in XML. The same is true of EDGAR- all the EDGAR pages are written in XML. This universal language makes it easy for public companies to file their documents in the SEC Electronic Filing System, and thus provide all viewers the ability to review the documentation in a common format. The development of XML was completed in 1998 by the non-profit World Wide Web Consortium (http://www.w3c.org/). Software developers are introducing commercial products, and sales of XML based technologies are beginning to ramp up now. See more about XML forms |
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Evolution of Ecommerce Many analysts consider e-commerce a logical development with roots tracing to Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). In existence since the 1970s, EDI provided a means for enterprises to incorporate electronic communications into supply chain management. Although EDI improved just-in-time manufacturing and reduced supply chain costs, it also was very expensive and difficult to implement. This was primarily because EDI systems run over private Value Added Networks, the cost of which was borne by participants. Additionally, organizations participating in this buy/sell network had to install proprietary software to ensure compatibility of documents being sent over the network-adding further cost and complication. Internet-based electronic commerce differs from EDI in two basic ways, both of which address the problems inherent in EDI: 1. Based on Internet technologies, electronic commerce uses a public communications medium-open to anyone with Internet access. 2. Because it is based on Internet technologies, electronic commerce is accessible through common Web browsers-and this is all a user needs for compatibility with virtually all electronic commerce sites. This dramatically drives down costs: An Internet server and public network access are much less expensive than virtual private networks, and everyone can use whichever computer platform they choose without having to be concerned with compatibility issues. B2B and B2C Internet-based electronic commerce has evolved into two major segments: business to consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B). B2B and B2C users have different buying needs. In B2B e-commerce, time is essential. Real-time inventory status, accurate pricing, and current delivery information are among the factors that allow business buyers to respond instantly to customer demand, increasing their efficiency and profitability. Consumers look for an experience that more closely approximates shopping-the ability to browse at their leisure (through a catalog), put selected items into their cart, then charge their purchase to a credit card. B2B and B2C consider change differently. In business, where success is often based on leveraging new technologies or processes, there is an imperative to embrace change that drives the investigation and implementation of new technologies. |
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| All About E-Commerce |
| Value Added Networks (VAN) |
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Vantage Point An independant source for resources and news |
| X12 Technical Tutorial |
| So Who or What is DISA? |
| So who runs EDIFACT? |
| New England Electronic Commerce Users Group |
| We gather information from emails from many EDI Hubs and post them here. These news items are typically not found on any websites, so check this site regularly for the latest in EDI news. |
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WOW! Even more EDI/EC Resources
Still looking for more EDI/EC Resources? |
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There is always a chance of storms in the
Mediterranean Sea.
Find out more about Weather around the World Ominous Weather is about more than weather. Its about our environment. Its about our social issues that need to be surfaced if we want to save our environment. See Champions of our Environment like Al Gore SAS le Prince Albert II de Monaco John R. Stilgoe Ralph Nader. We have other environmental sites on garbage trucks and Rapid response temporary shelters / portable housing. We have addressed several railroad-related projects that will conserve fuel and lessen pollution. Our Window on Europe spotlights projects that can help the rest of the World. |
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History of EDI
TDCC was formed originally by transportation, hence the name Transportation Data Coordinating Committee. Formed in 1968, "it was incorporated with investor, user, freight forwarder, highway carrier, railroad, and water carrier directors to coordinate: (1) standardization of transportation data descriptions and codes; (2) reconstruction of tariff formats; and; (3) systems design to facilitate exchange of appropriate data among shippers, carriers, and others concerned." The man behind the scenes who put it all together, Ed Guilbert, the father of EDI. He had lots of good lieutenants from a wide variety of companies helping him. One of them was Jack Hunter from General Electric who got me involved early on with EDI Standards. A lot of why EDI succeded, was because of a "push" from major corporations, and strong executives, such as Larry Bossidy Added to the TDCC at a later date were UCS (retail/grocery industry applications), WINS (warehouse applications) and other applications. ASC X12 was accredited as an SDO (Standards Development Organization) by ANSI in 1979. Representatives from the transportation, government and computer manufacturer industries created the first formats, which were based on the TDCC structure. TDCC used the Version/Release/Industry ID code (data element 480). It was based in part on the industry and a 2 digit identification of the publication date and release within that publication date. The industry codes were as follows: A - Air Applications C - Ocean Applications D - Automotive Industry Applications F - Freight Claims G - General Applications M - Motor Applications P - Drug Industry Applications R - Rail Industry Applications T - Tariff Industry Applications U - Retail Industry Applications (UCS) W - Warehouse Applications (WINS) In 1989 TDCC begin the process of transitioning the published TDCC transaction sets into ASC X12. ASC X12 formed the Industry Transitional Subcommittee. Since the ASC X12 formats were based on the original TDCC structures, and over the years the two organizations used great care to coordinate the two standards, many of the lower level elements of the TDCC structures were already part of ASC X12. What needed to be transitioned in were the transaction set tables, and some missing elements and segments. |
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The Structured Product Labeling (SPL) is a document markup standard approved by Health Level Seven (HL7) and adopted by FDA as a mechanism for exchanging medication information. |
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EDI Testing Fees Despite the steady decline in the price of connecting to your partners, there are still hidden costs and frustrations. |
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Schneider National is a recognized leader in EDI implementation in the trucking industry.
With a team of EDI experts, Schneider has over 1200 trading partners communicating through
a Value Added Network (VAN), direct or on a secure Internet connection.
Over 1 Million transactions per month 5,000 loads per day tendered by customers 99% electronic rail waybills sent to railroads 3,000 invoices per day electronically received by customers Supported EDI standards and transaction sets All ANSI X12 and EDIFACT versions 204 Load tender 990 Response to load tender 214 Shipment Status 210 Freight bill 820 Remittance advice Schneider National employs multiple technologies and offer various integration options. Two of the more common alternatives to EDI are XML and proprietary flat file formats. |
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| Basic Transportation EDI |
| Ryder Transportation Resources |
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Chicago's terminal railroad, the Indiana Harbor Belt upgraded its
ineffective information management systems to an electronic data exchange.
Connecting roads used to call Indiana Harbor Belt "Chicago's black hole." They don't anymore. Here's more about Indiana Harbor Belt's electronic commerce system. |
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The EDI team at Railinc coordinates EDI standard setting activities and initiatives of the railroad industry with the responsible business process owners. This team maintains and publishes all railroad industry related EDI Guidelines |
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Many railroads, such as the Providence & Worcester offer a wide range of EDI and electronic commerce services. |
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Traveling in Europe? You will probably need to make a FERRY RESERVATION. Stop by and see our Reservations Center. |
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Project Management for EDI and Electronic Commerce Only a partial list! These are places we have visited and find them to be useful. |
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| Project managers are the dynamic component that converts strategy into action and action into desired outcomes. | |
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12 steps to project management success
Managing a successful EC/EDI project isn't just a technical and organizational issue. It's about managing people. Poor communication, internal politics, poor teamwork, lack of management support and poor planning are the primary reasons people fail. Step 01: Identify sponsors and stakeholders The sponsors and stakeholders of your project are the ones who will judge your success and shape your project and it's rarely just one person. Understand their expectations of your project and what issues are most important to them. Determine early on which of your stakeholders are most important in terms of both organizational and political terms and get their support. Step 02: Get a champion in top management Without firm support from senior management, no one will take your project seriously and you'll constantly be swimming against the current. Always try diplomacy first, but when that fails you'll need a big motivational stick - and nothing gets the wheels turning like a friendly phone call from senior level management. Step 03: Clear goals and achievable, objective deliverables You'll need to be honest with the sponsors and stakeholders about the reality of the project. Everyone wants it better, faster, and cheaper. Work with your sponsors to set realistic project milestones and specific project phases. Step 04: Own the planning process Negotiate changes carefully. The ultimate responsibility for the projects success or failure is yours. If you take the time to plan effectively, you'll spend less time putting out fires and making excuses to your sponsors. Step 05: Establish a methodology Once you know what your project is, you'll need to establish the best way to implement it. This goes beyond established project management practices and includes technical procedures specific to the project: testing, implementation, best practices, reporting issues, troubleshooting, back-out plans, etc. Don't re-invent the wheel if you don't have to – check the web for existing project plans, management notes, and technical publications for discussions about similar projects. Smart managers learn from other people's mistakes. Step 06: Be honest about your abilities Knowing where you fall short can help you fill out your team with people who can complement your abilities and fill in the gaps. As a project manager, it's not your responsibility to do everything. It's your responsibility to get things done. Step 07: Make sure you have the resources to do the job Raise a flag if under-funded, under-staffed, and under-supported, and make sure you have the time to get the project done right. Step 08: Assemble the best team you can You want people with excellent technical and interpersonal skills, who work well together, and require a minimum of supervision. You should be able to give them clear goals, the tools to do their job, and then get out of their way. Step 09: Communicate early and often Communication is 360 degree process. You'll need to keep the stakeholders and sponsors informed regularly of your progress. You'll need to communicate your timeline and expectations to the business units and departments your project will affect. And you need to communicate with your team on a regular basis to make sure they stay on track. Your team should be completely aware of your project plan, key deliverables, project milestones, and timelines. Keep your stakeholders and sponsors up to date as often as they require. You want to make sure you are aware of potential problems before get out of hand. Make sure your team knows that they can come to you with bad news. Make sure your sponsors and stakeholders hear the bad news from you first before it gets distorted and exaggerated by someone else. Step 10: Establish clear metrics You can't tell if a project is failing or if performance is improving if you don't set clear goals and have objective measurements. Know the actual numbers and the productivity of every member of your team. Track failures and problems in a database. Provide feedback, set expectations, measure improvements, and look for ways to build on success. Step 11: Keep your deliverables in mind If you miss some of your deliverables and project milestones, your sponsors and stakeholders may still deem your project a failure even if it is 90% complete. Always keep your project deliverables in front of you as you proceed, and get your sponsors and stakeholders to sign off on each one as you complete them. Step 12: Know when to ask for help If your project is failing, don't wait until it is sunk before asking for assistance. Be upfront with your managers, sponsors, or stakeholders if your overwhelmed, don't have the resources you need, or if you're just not up to the challenge. There is a difference between missing goals and deadlines and allowing a project to spiral out of control and become an expensive disaster. |
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1. If you really want to reduce EDI fees, you need to start
with the big partners. Eliminate the VAN at least with the top 5
or so (trafficwise) .
2. For the other EDI capable partners:send AS2 as well. Even if they don't have AS2 yet their VANs will serve as gateways, but you'll saved on your end of eliminating the VAN. 3. For all TPs that are not EDI capable:. Purchase a corporate license for royalty free distribution of AS2 clients with an inexpensive translation engines that include your maps, then give away to all your partners. Check out free as2 (1 partner). |
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EDI Implementation and Roll Out Here's some information on roll-outs that you might find to be useful. |
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U Buy Vacations
has significant experience with outsourced implementation of your trading partners.
Our proven methods have worked for Fortune 500 companies. They could work for you too!
We have qualified and experienced consultants on all mainstream EDI packages, including: Inovis/Harbinger Trusted Link Enterprise (TLE) and Trusted Link for Windows (TLW), GXS Application Integrator, Tie Commerce, Sterling Commerce Gentran Server, Gentran Integration Suite (GIS), Seeburger, Axway, and Mercator. The schedule provides: three weeks for transaction mapping/coding by your trading partner two weeks for test transmissions four weeks for parallel testing, evaluation, and adjustments The final production date is dependent on: initial trading partner contact the specific transaction sets the number of transaction sets experience level of trading partners with individual transaction sets While most EDI implementation firms concentrate on selling you their software, supplying you with expensive EDI resources on a semi-permanent basis, or hosting your EDI solution; we concentrate on your major implementation of trading partners. Because this is usually a temporary effort, we go away when the project is completed. |
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EDI Trading Partner Implementation follows these general steps:
Buyer and Seller contact is established at the business level. Agreement is reached as far as business rules and legal issues. Process is handed over to the respective EDI organizations. EDI information is exchanged; typically using a WebSite as information source and a WebForm to provide necessary information. Partners follow a scripted testing process. Partnership is established when the transaction(s) are moved to their respective daily production systems. |
| What does an EDI/EC Project Manager do? |
| A dynamic manager who serves as a part of the Application Development & Support team (or one of the business teams) and aids in the establishment of a new E-commerce Strategy as well as manage staff to support the current EDI/EC environment. |
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Responsibilities: *Lead the effort to design, develop, and implement company's future eCommerce direction with trading partners. *Management and coordination of e-Commerce team responsible for the development and support of EDI, XML, Web interfaces between company and our trading partners. *Work with business leaders to increase the number of trading partners and types of information exchanged electronically. *Work with third party vendors to implement future e-Commerce Strategy. *Coordinate activities to ensure that functional specifications and requirements are transformed into clear and concise technical specifications. *Responsible for coordination of code migration, coding standards and version control activities. *Responsible for obtaining individual task estimates and resource requirements. *Ensure sound unit testing, debugging procedures, and quality assurance activities are performed by development team. *Evaluate team member performance, structure training needs or performance improvement approaches. *Follows solid project management ideas |
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Business, Technical and Educational Requirements *Extensive experience with Electronic Data Exchange through EDI, XML, Web, and flat files. *Experience with Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) tools such as Web Methods, Tibco, SeeBeyond, and Oracle. *Extensive experience with many types of EDI translation software. *Experience withValue Added Networks, EDI platform infrastructure and Communications. *Experience integrating to ERP systems. *Solid communication and interpersonal skills. *Ability to lead by example. Take charge on issues and process improvement and realize the business benefit from the changes. *Combination of both business and technical experience. *Ability to work in a fast-pace environment. *MBA helpful |
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| JWH Financial Services Regions of the United States |
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