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Unit 4: Electronic Data Interchange to E-Commerce

6. Innovative Stage: The establishment of an operational EDI infrastructure gives the possibility of
changing the nature of the product or the provision of new services. This development is called
the innovative stage in the model where new options for competitive advantage open up.

Rover Cars have stopped producing cars for stock as EDI infrastructure gives the
possibility of changing the nature of the product. They only produce cars when
there is a requirement from the dealer.

Figure 4.2 shows the stages of EDI maturity model and also some of the opportunities and implications
of each stage.

Figure 4.2: EDI Maturity Model

Source: www.doc.mmu.ac.uk/STAFF/D.Whiteley/ecbook/chap10mc.ppt

Do a research on the Internet and find out an organization that has implemented EDI.
Try to identify the EDI maturity stages that the organization has undergone.

4.3 UN/EDIFACT Standard
United Nations/Electronic Data Interchange For Administration, Commerce and Transport
(Un/EDIFACT) is the International EDI standard. This standard is developed under the guidance of the
United Nation. The maintenance and development of this standard is done through the United Nations
Center For Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (Un/CEFACT). Un/EDIFACT standard provides:

1. A set of syntax rules.
2. An Interactive exchange protocol such as data elements, segments, and codes.
3. Messages that allow multi-country and multi-industry exchange.

In 1990, CEFACT had announced the official definition of UN/EDIFACT. As per the
definition, the rules for EDI "comprise a set of internationally agreed standards,
Did you know? directories, and guidelines for the electronic interchange of structured data, and in
particular that related to trade in goods and services between independent,
computerized information systems."

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