I believe that generic maps could work worders for SMEs, particularly in the
case of 836s. Smaller companies may not have the resources nor want to invest
in expensive EDI mapping software/experts to develop and customize maps. This
may explain why most of them end up prefering Service Bureaus and paper/faxes
instead, thus missing the benefits of EDI. Although EDI intermediaries do a
good job with inbound transactions (i.e. 850s and 860s), they don't seem do
nearly as good with outbound transactions such as 856s or 810s.
Generic maps help demystify EDI, allowing non-experts to translate from a raw
format they don't understand (EDI) to one they do (text or XML). From there
they'll figure our what to do: Excel, Word, Applications, print/manual
processing, etc.
We have implemented some experimental Vendor Implementation Programs (VIPs)
with a dozen or so HUBs where they distribute our translation engine runtime to
multiple TPs at once and include a 'map library' containing generic maps for
all their transactions: 850, 860, 856, 824, 820, 810, etc. In this manner the
HUB is ready to send/receive all EDI transactions at once while their TPs don't
have to wait while they figure out what to do to become EDI compliant for each
transaction.
If a TP then wishes to customize the generic maps they can either purchase a
EDI mapper, ask a EDI consultant to develop/customize the map(s) for them or
implement an entirely different EDI solution. In the meantime the HUB is happy
cause they're already sending/receiving EDI with lots of TPs and transactions.
Brief, generic maps can offer great benefits including: facilitate acceptance
of EDI, reduce implementation cycle, decrease cost, and increase use. So much
so that we have developed product and created a new company to do just that.
Although still in its developmental stages, you are welcomed to visit:
www.interdatallc.com to download our software and contribute with your comments
and feedback which will always be greatly appreciated. We are also looking for
help to develop our pricing/distribution strategies.
Thanks
Ricardo Johnson
---------------------------------
Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates
starting at 1¢/min.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
.
Please use the following Message Identifiers as your subject prefix: <SALES>,
<JOBS>, <LIST>, <TECH>, <MISC>, <EVENT>, <OFF-TOPIC>
Access the list online at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EDI-L
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EDI-L/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
