During the last decade, the use of information technology to support the exchange of information has been constantly growing. One of the most important areas of growth has been the application of technology to the exchange of structured information between companies - generally referred to as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). While adoption of EDI is widespread in the US, usage in Europe is reported as scant. This book addresses itself to the European situation and the potential for EDI in Europe. EDI in Europe begins by introducing the basic elements of the concept, and its benefits. It goes on to analyse 14 case studies drawing out the lessons to be learned - all of which gives the reader the opportunity to evaluate their own situation and choose the most suitable approach.

The automatic exchange of data and structured documents, and the implications of 'paperless trade' is a key issue for business in the Europe of the 21st century. EDI in Europe is part of a Europe wide effort to provide business with the best tools and practices in this vital area. At the beginning of this decade, the Commission of the European Communities launched the TEDIS Programme (Trade EDI Systems) in order to promote the use of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) in the European Community and to increase the competitiveness of European business. SISnet, a research consortium which includes academics from major European business schools and universities, was commissioned to study the use of EDI in Europe within the framework of the TEDIS programme. Specifically this was to take an audit of the adoption and implementation and then to assess its effects on the firms and industries using it. EDI is a recent phenomenon and since it can only really be studied in context, case studies have been used which will encourage understanding of the dynamics within individual settings. Cases spanning a wide range of industries come from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland. EDI in Europe brings all the research together. The team's work is set to continue as the issues are analysed - it is ongoing and will affect business at all levels. EDI in Europe will help make everyone aware of EDI in practice and further its diffusion into, and acceptance by, the entire European business community. EDI in Europe is the result of a truly European collaborative effort between contributing researchers and the companies used to demonstrate EDI in practice. Contributors: Jon A. Turner; Pieter M. Ribbers; Tawfik Jelassi; Claudia Lobbecke; Paolo Pasini; Jean Chaloux; Torsten Eistert; Sten Nygaard-Andersen; Oliver Schalch; Joachim Griese; Regula Boller; Claudio U. Ciborra; Helmut Krcmar; Niels Bjrn-Andersen; Ramn O'Callaghan Companies: Alcatel Bell Telephone (Belgium); Technische Unie (The Netherlands); Leroy Merlin (France); Whirlpool (Italy); Kuhne & Nagel (Germany); State Railroad (Denmark); Danzas (Switzerland); Brun Passot (France); Industrilink (Denmark); Bosch-Siemens Hausger (Germany); Ciba-Geigy (Switzerland); Barilla (Italy); RHCNET (The Netherlands); AECOC (Spain)

EDI in Europe How It Works in Practice During the last decade, the use of information technology to support the exchange of information has been constantly growing. One of the most important areas of growth has been the application of technology to the exchange of structured information between companies - generally referred to as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). While adoption of EDI is widespread in the US, usage in Europe is reported as scant. This book addresses itself to the European situation and the potential for EDI in Europe. EDI in Europe begins by introducing the basic elements of the concept, and its benefits. It goes on to analyse 14 case studies drawing out the lessons to be learned - all of which gives the reader the opportunity to evaluate their own situation and choose the most suitable approach.