B2B Integration : A Practical Guide to Collaborative E-commerce

184 B2B Integration — A Practical Guide to Collaborative E-commerce
transactions. The communication of data should be secured and reliable.
This way companies can save a lot on the high transaction fees associated
with exchanging transactions using third-party VANs.
Fit in the bigger picture of B2Bi
The XML/EDI server should include all the components necessary for
seamless B2Bi. The server along with its components should be able to
deliver automated, end-to-end integration between a company and its
trading partners. It should provide ERP and EAI adapters and a robust
business process engine for straightforward integration into the enterprise
(see Figure 6.6). Since each company has its own integration challenges,
the server should provide options for customization and integration.
Support for business process integration
XML/EDI server must integrate the business process transactions that
involve inter-company data exchanges. Business process integration is
one of the key requirements of the next generation XML-enhanced EDI
servers.
For example, when an ERP system detects low inventory and triggers
a purchase order, the Netfish XDI Server automatically translates the
XML/EDI Server Integrating Internal' and
External Applications
Exterrial Applications (Trading Partners, B2B Exchanges, Banks,
Accounting, Purchasing, Finance)
I I I
EDIFACT mUD Proprietary
!
XML/EDI Integration Server
EDI Data Flat File XML/DTD
Internal Enterprise Applications ERP, Legacy Systems, CRM
Figure 6.6. — XML/EDI server integrating internal and external applications