RE: XML Attributes -- MIDRANGE-L

I don't think XML with take over the EDI World.  Why change one set of
standards for another?  Many large corps have millions of dollars invested
in traditional EDI systems.  Why would they change to XML for little or no
improvement?  I think XML is a compliment to trad EDI in the sense that it
can be used to get the last mile on EDI, smaller vendors who are unable to
incapable or doing EDI.  Send them an XML document that can be viewed in a
web browser.   Many of the EDI translators can now also produce XML, so you
can have a single system generate a document in either EDI or XML format.

Also, the misconception about EDI standards is that they are standard.  You
will NEVER receive EDI documents in all the same format/standard.  The
reason for this is because companies and industries do business differently
and the EDI standards are merely a reflection of the way various
companies/industries do business.  It is a business issue and NOT a
technical/EDI issue.  I hear this argument/complaint all the time.  If you
never heard of EDI, do you all the paper POs from your customers look the
same?  Of course NOT.  one customer may send you a single PO with a single
ship to location, another may send you a single PO and at the detail level
of the PO order 10 widgets and have you ship 1 widget to 10 different
locations.  Do you dis the paper POs as not being "standard", of course NOT.
Some industries have attempted to create a subset implementation of an ANSI
x.12 document in order to speed implementation in a certain industry
segment.  Basically, the customer sets the rules for EDI and the vendor does
what ever it takes.  I don't see XML changing that at all.

Just my opinions.
cjg


Carl J. Galgano
EDI Consulting Services, Inc.
540 Powder Springs Street, Suite C19
Marietta, GA  30064
(770) 422-2995 - voice
(419) 730-8212 - fax
mailto:cgalgano@ediconsulting.com
http://www.ediconsulting.com
AS400 EDI, Networking, E-Commerce and Communications Consulting and
Implementation
http://www.icecreamovernight.com
Premium Ice Cream Brands shipped Overnight

"You ain't gonna learn what you don't want to know" - rw

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-midrange-l@midrange.com
[mailto:owner-midrange-l@midrange.com]On Behalf Of L. S. Russell
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2000 8:55 AM
To: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
Subject: Re: XML Attributes


I agree, XML is another good thing but it isn't a cure all.  When we
implemented our EDI (about 12 vendors, and almost double that number of
distributors) we went to Tampa for QRS training.  The one thing I
brought back from that class was that all theses standards (X.12, XML
...) are not standard.  Each partner has a different set of requirements
for each of the document types.  Some abide by the functional
acknowledgement and others, even though they require you to send it,
ignore it as if they never got it.

X.12 would work well, and not need replacing, if folks would understand
that STANDARD MEANS STANDARD!

"Stone, Brad V (TC)" wrote:
>
> >
> > You really have a bee in your bonnet about XML taking over
> > the EDI world ;-)
> >
> > Have a read of;
> >
> > [
> > http://www.xmls.com/resources/whitepapers/XMLSolutions_Peacefu
> l_Co-Existence
> .pdf ]
>
> >It might calm your nerves better than valium ;-)
>
> Actually I don't.  I just hate it when all people talk is theory.  Theory
> only works in your head.  Taking over the EDI world.  That's what all IT
is
> about these days isn't it.  If you don't create the next Napster, you're a
> nobody.  So, instead of coming up with new ideas, you rebrand something
> existing as "Next Generation" and call it your own... sorry for the
tangent.
> :)
>
> I parused the document.  Found it interesting that one point they try to
use
> to say XML is better than X.12 is you can "read" it with your eyes easier.
> (they don't come right out and say it that way, but why else would they
> point that out).
>
> A lot of pretty pictures too.  Too bad real work isn't as easy as
pictures.
> It wouldnt at all be to their advantage that you use XML and possibly
> purchase their product or services?
>
> Example from me...
>
> Data from AS/400-->replicate to NT-->display on web with cold fusion.
> easy right?  How about this...
> Take order on internet with Cold fusion-->replicate to AS/400-->bill
order.
>
> Easy right?  Pffffft...  Those --> contain about 10k lines of code and
rules
> that haven't even emerged yet.  Ya, it's just "that easy".
>
> Give me three reasons why XML is better than X.12?  I've asked this
before.
> Never did get an answer.
>
> Note:  I don't hate XML.  I'm not worried if I have to use it.  Here's
what
> I hate:  Hype, buzzwords, IT management who haven't programmed a lick of
> code in their life and wouldn't know XML from Javascript but still think
> that one thing like XML or Java will solve all problems that exist because
> Joe Pundit in PC Week said so (who also hasn't programmed since
punchcards).
>
> I also don't like anything that is labeled "Next Generation" except Star
> Trek.
>
> Don't show me theory and pretty pictures, show me fact and real world
> examples.  Let me hear from the programmers who had to implement this, not
> the project leaders who just hear "it's coming along ok".
>
> So far, I haven't seen XML as the savior that Java was claimed to be.  :)
> What do you think, Leslie?  :)
>
> Brad
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