EDI and Internet : perspectives
Over
the years, the known domain of logistics has developed profoundly, due to
evolution in the areas of new information and communication technology.
Technological progress and more particularly, the evolution of communication
systems available to logistics via electronic data exchange systems, are
opportunities which companies cannot ignore, as being less innovative,
distances them from their quicker to adapt competitors.
Amonst
these innovations, the Internet is an open communication environment which
makes use of standard formats, and a range of tools allowing the linking of
networks, and companies' and individual's computers. The
similarities with EDI are therefore striking.
The
internet is a rapid and non expensive means with which the company could
eventually have resort to, for the delivery of messages by email, or by
transferring files. At present, a certain number of still problematic aspects
of the network are being studied, notably identification of use, access
control, and the integrity and confidentiality of data.
EDI
lite
is a new form of exchange which attempts to combine internet techniques (web
pages,...) with EDI and which in the future will enable small companies to
approach EDI more easily, without heavy investment, all by using standardised
data.