XML For Business

1
XML For Business
JPL Computer Services
2
EDI or XML

• Used in large companies for commercial document
  electronic data transmissions
• Subscription service normally used eg Tradanet,
  BT, IBM
• Recent research suggests EDI will grow by 15
  still over next 5 years

3
What is XML?

• XML is a protocol/specification for containing
  and managing information
• Not a markup language or programming language
• It is an open standard of how to structure,
  describe and interchange data

4
XML Features

• Open standard not tied to any one company
• Can store any kind of information
• Has built in syntax and rule checks
• XML is readable by machines but text based
  documents are understandable by humans

5
XML Documents

• Basic unit of an XML document is an element and
  other markup usually based upon a schema
• A business document such as a purchase order can
  become an XML document

6
Data Entry

• Data exists in relationship databases like that
  of Mapics on the AS400
• Emails
• Text documents
• XML file is a data file
• Data entry would normally be via conversion of a
  database or download using ODBC

7
How to send and receive the XML document

• Attach XML document to an email and then use a
  browser to do some work with the file by using a
  database to read the data or modify the XML file
  by using an editor like XML Spy

8
Benefits to SMEs

• DIY does not necessitate an expensive
  translator
• Take a typical document in your organisation and
  XML it
• Transfer mechanism is via the Internet so
  inexpensive
• Easy to use between small firms