RE: EDI at midrange sites - Off Topic??

[Jim Damato <jdamato@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Ed Chabot:
>Specifically, on a PC or AS/400, what
>packages are being used, how many trading partners are involved,
>interfaced to AS/400 systems or print and re-key, etc.

We implemented Sterling GENTRAN about four years ago.  We now have 750-800
merchandise vendors on 850 and 810 documents (P.O.'s and Invoices).  We've
integrated EDI with AS/400, VMS-Ingres, and Unix-Oracle applications.

There was a thread on this a few months back.  Sterling GENTRAN is one of
the most stable packages I've ever seen.  They also have great technical
support.  Their tier pricing is pretty scary.  Documentation and automation
for releases and upgrades has been top notch.

Comparisons between EDI and XML amuse me.  Yes, there can be a substantial
savings to sending business transactions over the Internet, but you get what
you pay for with the guaranteed delivery and mailbox service of a good VAN.
Also it's plenty hard to get EDI partners to comply with EDI standards.
Many folks who are on the bleeding edge of XML are unfamiliar with the
importance of document standards.

-Jim

James P. Damato
Manager - Technical Administration
Dollar General Corporation
<mailto:jdamato@dollargeneral.com>