XML som informationsbärare för EDI
Information handling has been a key issue for different companies for a long time. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is used to transfer different business documents from one company to another. This is done in such way that the information itself is separated from how this information is stored and handled in the companies internal systems. As different companies have different systems there is a need for a standardised format for this exchange. There is a big difference between EDI-systems based on what kind of EDI-standard is used. The most common standard in Europe is EDIFACT, but with increased interest of using the Internet for business communication there is a need for a standard that is adjusted for use over the Internet. An XML-based standard for business communication is viewed as an alternative for Internet use. XML, which is a language developed for the Internet, can be an alternative method for EDI-communication. This essay includes subjects such as business-to-business communication, values of e-commerce, business systems, different standards for EDI and a schematic view over various EDI-systems. The main issue for this essay is to take a closer look at an XML-based standard for EDI and to investigate if it is mature enough to be used as an alternative EDI solution. The result of our interview and literature studies is that an XML-based solution for EDI is not mature enough, at this moment, to replace current standards for EDI. An XML-based solution should be viewed as a complement to existing standards for EDI.