Erik Wüstner

Converting business documents:a classification of problems and solutions using XML/XSLT

The exchange of business documents can be realized either by standardizing or converting these documents. In this paper, we examine different conversion strategies from an economic perspective. In particular, we provide a classification of conversion problems as well as solutions using XML/XSLT.

Inter-organizational document exchange: facing the conversion problem with XML

Information exchange processes are often characterized by the need of translating from one data format into another in order to achieve compatibility between information systems. A conversion problem often arises when exchanging files between applications of different software vendors or when incorporating legacy business data into new standard software. In this paper we want to survey the conversion problem in the field of multi-organizational networks, since participants often use different data formats. We examine, to what extent XML is able to support the inter-organizational exchange of business documents. Thereby, we concentrate on the problem of converting different data and examine different approaches for solving the transformation problem. We show how XML can actually be implemented for a Web-based integration in multi-organizational networks. Moreover, we present a java-based prototype that enables document exchange over the Internet using XML business vocabularies for document representation, XSLT for document conversion and presentation, and both DOM and SAX for processing and integrating documents into in-house-systems.

XML-based supply chain management-as SIMPLEX as it is

In this paper we want to examine, to what extent XML is able to support the exchange of business documents in supply chains. Thereby we focus on the problem of converting different data formats of participants of the supply chain. First results show that XML and its surrounding standards of the XML family highly accelerate and simplify the conversion process. Therefore, XML allows using a common standard on a lower level, without reducing variety on a higher level, due to the use of different XML vocabularies. First, we examine different approaches for solving the transformation problem. Second, we show how XML can actually be implemented for a Web-based integration in supply chains. We present a Java-based prototype that enables document exchange over the Internet using XML business vocabularies for document representation, XSLT for document conversion and presentation, and both DOM and SAX for processing and integrating documents into in-house-systems.

Wird XML/EDI traditionelles EDI ablösen? : Eine Analyse auf der Basis von Netzeffekten und einer empirischen Untersuchung

According to network effect theory, the benefit from using standards depends on the number of its users. In this article we examine, whether XML/EDI will replace traditional EDI and thus provide its users with positive network effects. Our contribution is based upon both network theory and the results of an empirical study among 130 major European companies. We conclude that most companies expect increasing diffusion of XML/EDI, with traditional EDI becoming less important at the same time. In addition, we believe that due to low setup and operating costs, XML/EDI will become increasingly attractive to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). We reckon that the „penguin effect” will not circumvent the transition from traditional EDI to XML/EDI and that the latter will be the key technology for exchanging business data in the future.

— Ein Webservice für die Konvertierung von XML-Dokumenten

In diesem Beitrag zeigen wir, wie es auf Basis von offenen Standards und Open-Source-Software moglich ist, moderne EDI-Losungen zu entwickeln. Eine Schlusselrolle spielen dabei die Extensible Markup Language (XML) sowie komplementare Technologien. Praxiserfahrungen haben jedoch gezeigt, dass auch die Nutzung von XML das Problem der Konvertierung zwischen unterschiedlichen Formaten, wie z. B. xCBL und OAGIS, nicht lost. Vor diesem Hintergrund stellen wir den Webservice vor, der eine solche Ubersetzung zwischen unterschiedlichen XML-Formaten durchfuhrt.

XML — The Extensible Markup Language and its Use in the Field of EDI

This contribution introduced the reader to fundamental XML technologies such as XML and DTDs. In many application scenarios XML plays a major role when designing modern information systems. XML is supported by all major software vendors and it can be used with a variety of languages on almost every computer platform, which further facilitates XML’s suitability for many different applications. One of those a applications is the field of EDI where, among other things, XML has been adopted to structure business documents such as invoices and purchase orders. Nevertheless, XML is no magic bullet because the problem of different coexisting formats is still unsolved. Similar to traditional EDI, with XML there is the need for conversions and transformations between different formats. This issue was a main focus of this contribution. We showed what problems might occur when XML business documents have to be transformed into other formats and how to solve these problems with XSLT. At the end we introduced the Web service as a means for carrying out such conversions in a platform- and language-neutral manner.