Doug,
this certainly looks like it could become an interesting discussion
(maybe those on the list 3 years or longer will think differently).
First of all, no disagreement on whether X12 is a standard that is
used internationally. It is even used quite a bit here in Europe with
US originating multinationals. However, whether that makes it qualify
as an international standard? I believe that the ASC X12 works under
the ANSI banner and ANSI is the American standards institute (I have a
feeling that I will be corrected on this one, just like EAN
international is 'European') whereas UN/EDIFACT is associated with the
united nations.
The more interesting question is: do EDI documents provide a good
basis for building a data model/repository. In my opinion they do as
they are built from consensus among a set of users of these documents
and are regularly reviewed and tried in practice. It would certainly
be a more sensible approach than just guessing what a good limit would
be.
If that assumption is accepted, the question becomes, what standard
for EDI documents to use? Maybe both, and using the max length of
both, or maybe the minimal max length, because it works both ways. Not
only should an application be able to accomodate data elements upto a
given length, but it should also not produce data elements that exceed
a given length.
I guess this latter issue was possibly not given sufficient
consideration when the request to extend to 40 or even 48 characters
was reviewed for the manufacturers part number. My guess is that a
part number of e.g. 46 characters may make it extra difficult for the
requestor to do business with its desired trading partners. Maybe the
person that made the data maintenance request is on the list and is
willing to comment and explain.
Erlend - DHL
Doug Anderson wrote:
>
> Kurt
>
> Be very careful designing database structure by looking at EDI documents.
> Data element 235 had a maximum length of 30 until version 003040, followed
> by a maximum length of 40 until version 003070 and the now current maximum
> length of 48 (If I read the standards correctly). What this indicates is
> that a user of the standard had a business requirement to send up to 48
> characters in that field and data maintenance was approved to expand the
> length.
>
> So, Erlend, what may be valid in UN/EDIFACT may not be adequate for users of
> other standards in other countries.
>
> By the way, just to start a war, X12 is an international standard, used
> cross many borders and in many other countries other than the US.
>
> Doug
>
> Doug Anderson
> Assistant Vice President Sales Support
> Kleinschmidt Inc.
> 450 Lake Cook Road
> Deerfield, IL 60015
> 847-405-7457
> 847-458-5234 (home office)
> 847-945-4619 (fax)
> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> http://www.kleinschmidt.com
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: NAGEL Erlend [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> > Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2000 1:25 PM
> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Subject: Re: What standards exist for Manufacturer Part number
> >
> >
> > Kurt,
> >
> > just to add a bit of 'international flavo(u)r' in an answer to your
> > question, I looked up what the maximum length would be in a UN/EDIFACT
> > message using the 'LIN' segment. The maximum length for data element
> > 7140 is 35 characters. Surely if this is a workable limit
> > internationally it would be adequate to have this in your application
> > as well.
> >
> > best regards,
> >
> > Erlend Nagel - DHL.
> >
> > Kurt Smith wrote:
> > >
> > > We usually receive a Mfg part in the LIN segment of a 4010 - 832
> > > transaction. The element(235) has a maximum length of 48
> > bytes. I would like
> > > to have the application allow for 48 but this may be a
> > challenge. Is there
> > > are general or industry specific standard or does someone
> > have experience
> > > with the maximum I could expect?
> > >
> > > Kurt Smith
> > > EDI Systems Lead Engineer
> > > Egghead.com
> > > www.egghead.com
> >
> > ==============================================================
> > =========
> > To signoff the EDI-L list, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > To subscribe,
> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> To contact the list owner: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Archives at http://www.mail-archive.com/edi-l%40listserv.ucop.edu/
>
> =======================================================================
> To signoff the EDI-L list, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> To subscribe, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> To contact the list owner: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Archives at http://www.mail-archive.com/edi-l%40listserv.ucop.edu/
=======================================================================
To signoff the EDI-L list, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To subscribe, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To contact the list owner: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Archives at http://www.mail-archive.com/edi-l%40listserv.ucop.edu/
