EDI, XML and e-business frameworks: A survey

Data formats and e-business frameworks are important standards for e-business. The ASC X12, EDIFACT and XML formats are utilized in e-business frameworks which are supported in information systems. The EDI formats have retained a position in cross-industry-document e-business frameworks, whereas the XML format dominates in cross-industry-process e-business frameworks and has gained a footing in industry-specific e-business frameworks. The use of XML-based e-business frameworks has increased more than the use of EDI-based e-business frameworks in 2004. XML-based e-business frameworks are more widely used in the new market economies and EDI-based e-business frameworks in the old market economies. XML-based e-business frameworks are more common in the industries for which there exists an XML-based but no EDI-based industry-specific e-business framework. In other industries, EDI-based e-business frameworks are more common. This paper also discusses a lock-in to the EDI formats and EDI-based e-business frameworks.