Migration to open EDI

Let’s first give quick glimpse to how EDI is setup, There are several ways to set up EDI.

• A dedicated PC link to the EDI network.
  
• A group of computers via modems linking to the EDI network
  
• A dedicated server link to the EDI network
  
• Communication link could be:
  
• Dial-up phone line (such as ISDN line or switched digital services)
  
• A dedicated link to the network’s local hub point.
  

Required software:

• Application software
  
• Message translator -
  
• Routing manager -
  
• Communication handler Migration to Open EDI:
  
  
  The Internet and the transition to open EDI will change the economics of EDI by reducing setup
  and rollout costs.
  

Migration groups:

• A nonuser becoming a private network/VAN user.
  
• A current EDI user who wishes to make a transition to Open EDI.
  
• A non-EDI user who can make a direct transition to Open EDI.
  
• EDI transactions across the Internet in two ways: Email and FTP
  

The benefits:

• Reduction of the cost of transferring EDI messages
  
• Increase the performance
  
• Supporting E-Commerce
  
• Increase the interoperability of networks increasing the usability of EDI.
  

The problems and challenges:

• Security issues
  
• Many companies using EDI based on VANs. Not all VANs have connections to Internet.