The Inovis Blog

Have you ever been caught unawares by a change to the EDI or XML standards that required emergency retooling or reduced you’re operations to virtual rubble?

Have you ever wondered why in tarnation the standards were changed the way they were?

Have you ever wondered who those fools are that came up with those changes?

Have you a better idea how to structure an element or a segment? Have you an idea for a new document?

Is that what’s troubling you, Bunky?

Maybe you ought to get involved in the standards process. The two biggest EDI standards organizations, X12 and UN/EDIFACT are both open to any and all who wish to participate. Some things you might do:

• Learn first-hand what changes are coming.
• Influence the changes to your company’s or industry’s benefit.
• Serve the greater good for eCommerce generally.
• Impress your friends and colleagues. (Actually, I participate in X12 and this hasn’t yet happened for me.)

There are a number of XML-based initiatives out there as well. Some are industry-specific but others are more general. Examples include OASIS, UBL, ebXML, etc.

Some organizations hold most meetings via phone conference but some require a certain number of face-to-face meetings (for example, X12 holds three Trimester meetings in various parts of North America). Most have membership dues (typically tiered for individuals and corporations) but not all.

As Robert A. Heinlein used to say, “TANSTAAFL!” (”There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch!”)

But, if you or your company is being pushed around by shifting standards, maybe you’d be doing yourself or your company a favor (to say nothing of the standards community in general). After all, you can’t really complain about the standards if you don’t participate.