Optimum productivity can only be achieved when EDI is carefully integrated with other business applications. Importing data into an existing system has serious implications and the following issues should be considered when linking hexogen documents with internal systems:
Emulating Business Models
In addition to the basic integration, it In addition to the basic integration, it is important that transactions being brought over via EDI follow the same business rules as other transactions. A mechanism must be put in place to check not only for completeness of the data, but also for accuracy. For example, when bringing EDI purchase orders the system must check for price accuracy, check product identifiers (some times requiring multiple codes), control for duplicates documents, as well as other items.
Auditing
Data flow between EDI and other systems must include a complete audit transaction log.
Gap Analysis
It is often a big challenge to fill in the gaps between systems. An EDI trading partner may require information that is simply not available from the source system, or information provided by one system cannot be absorbed by another due to the lack of a mechanism to handle the different levels of complexity. A common example of the latter situation occurs when a multi-store or multi-ship EDI purchase orders are to be sent to a simple order processing system.
Data Normalization
Each individual trading partner handles its own set of EDI specifications and it is important to manage an interface on different levels with normalized data, especially at the points of contact between systems and EDI. By doing this, the integrity of the interface is protected, data analysis is becomes an easier task and more importantly, the interface is manageable in the sense that the need for countless changes is either diminished or eliminated, especially when new trading partnerships are implemented.
Openness
It is important to be able to count on technology that is easy to use and can be integrated with common programs and systems.
At 123 EDI, we are committed to open technology and our strategy for EDI integration is based on the use of databases and other well known technologies like XML and other standards. EDI documents as well as audit logs and basically all data managed by our translator reside on a database depository, where data is normalized and presented in a much simpler level of complexity in comparison to traditional EDI structures. It is easy to Query on data and to send and receive EDI transactions. Structurally, data is managed generically and separated from the specifics of each trading partner.
Overview
