CA 02306676 2000-04-26
S
Standardized exchange of data in electronic
business traffic
The present invention relates to a method for the automated
exchange of data between a supplying and demanding
subscriber in a network environment, to a method for the
automated exchange of data between a supplying and a
purchasing subscriber in a network environment, to a
software product for implementing such a method, to a
computer in a network environment that is configured to
perform such a method and also to a graphical operator
surface that makes possible the performance of such a
method.
As already stated, the technical environment of the present
invention is data exchange in electronic business traffic
via a network, such as, for example, the Internet. In most
enterprises, information relating to clients, suppliers,
products, orders, production processes, invoices, etc. are
processed electronically using specific company (internal)
EDP solutions. Appropriate solutions are marketed, for
example, by SAP. On the other hand, electronic
communication is possible worldwide on the Internet and
items of information can therefore be supplied and
requested. An ever-increasing number of private individuals
and enterprises make use of this. Even at the present time,
prices can be compared over the Internet and goods ordered
and bought in so-called on-line shops (electronic shops).
Such on-line shops are generally connected to the normal
company EDP solution of the seller.
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For a further spread in the electronic exchange of business
traffic data via the Internet, it is imperative to lay down
a standardization for such an exchange.
S WDDX (web-distributed data exchange) is an already
currently existent standard for the uniform electronic
storage of individual data. In accordance with said
standard, data can be moved generically between different
applications, still remaining available in their context.
In this connection, WDDX is based on XML that is in turn
based on HTTML. For the purpose of briefly explaining said
WDDX standard, let it be first assumed that a collected
item of user information (first name, surname, date of
birth) is to be reproduced. Such information occurs in a
multiplicity of applications. The abovementioned
combination of items of information is reproduced in
accordance with WDDX in a "packet". WDDX structures are
generally termed packets since the XML reproduction of data
is generally important only as a quantity in the space
between applications.
The abovementioned data would comprise two strings and a
date in all programming languages. Each variant comprises a
name/value pair. This relationship of the name/value pair
gives the packet its structure.
A reproduction of an entity of said data may, for example,
have the following appearance:
<wddxPacket version="0.9">
<header>
</header>
<data>
<var name="firstname">
<string>Joseph
</var>
<var name="lastname">
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<string>Josephson
</var>
<var name="birthdate">
<datetime>12/12/67
</var>
</data>
</wddxPacket>
It becomes more complicated if a bundle of items of
information relating to different individuals is to be
transmitted and the relationships between all the first
names, surnames and dates of birth is to be maintained. For
this purpose, the data has to be structured as follows:
<data>
<struct>
<var name="friends" »
<array length=2>
<array length=3>
<string>Joseph
<string>Josephson
<datetime>12/12/67
</array>
<array length=3>
<string>Ben
<string>Benson
<datetime>11/11/27
</array>
</array>
</var>
</struct>
</data>
This creates a two-dimensional matrix having three fields
that can be used in all languages provided said languages
can convert their own structures into WDDX (and vice
versa) .
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The object of the present invention is to provide a
procedure that makes possible the exchange of business data
in electronic business traffic regardless of the internal
EDP system of the network subscribers participating in the
S exchange.
In particular, the present invention is intended to make it
possible to connect electronically the in-house EDP
solution of a potential buyer to the EDP system of the
seller via the network. Insofar as there are already
attempts at such a solution in the prior art, they are, as
a rule, limited to a specific EDP solution and consequently
also to enterprises employing said EDP solution. The
procedure according to the invention can consequently avoid
items of information having to be logged in duplicate and
electronic orders taking more time than those conveyed, for
example, by telephone. The staff can consequently
concentrate on their actual tasks, such as, for example,
client care and consequently require less time for
inputting and retrieving data.
The abovementioned object is achieved, according to the
invention, by the features of the independent claims. The
dependent claims develop the central thoughts of the
invention in a particularly advantageous manner.
According to the invention, therefore, a method is provided
for the automated exchange of data between subscribers in a
network environment. Said subscribers may be, for example,
a supplying subscriber and a demanding subscriber. An
enquiry is issued by the internal EDP system of the
demanding subscriber. Said enquiry is converted by a
conversion module of the enquiring subscriber into a
standardized (platform-independent) format. The enquiry of
the enquiring subscriber is then transmitted over the
network in the standardized format. A conversion module of
the supplying subscriber receives the enquiry and converts
CA 02306676 2000-04-26
it from the standardized, platform-independent format into
the format that the internal EDP system of the supplying
subscriber requires for further processing and storage. The
enquiry can then be processed further in the internal EDP
5 system of the supplying subscriber. The above cycle
consequently represents a data exchange for an electronic
business traffic that can be performed between two
subscribers regardless of the platforms installed in the
respective internal EDP systems of the subscribers.
For the case where the internal EDP system of the supplying
subscriber finds that the enquiry by the enquiring
subscriber cannot be fulfilled or can only partly be
fulfilled, the EDP system of the supplying subscriber can
automatically issue a further (private) enquiry by means of
the conversion module of the supplying subscriber and the
network. This results in an enquiry/quote cycle that can be
handled completely automatically and electronically, for
example via the Internet.
The invention furthermore relates to a method for the
automatic assessment of creditworthiness in which the
second subscriber is a credit institution and the first
subscriber is a client who requests credit from the credit
institution. The enquiry contains, in a standardized
packet, items of information necessary for an automatic
assessment of creditworthiness.
The creditworthiness can be assessed by the EDP system of
the credit institution automatically on the basis of the
items of information in the standardized packet.
For the case where the automatic assessment reveals that
there is not an unambiguous case, an announcement may be
made that a collaborator has to be involved.
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In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention, a method is provided for the automated exchange
of data between a supplying subscriber and a purchasing
subscriber in a network environment. In this case, a quote
is issued by an internal EDP system of the supplying
subscriber. The quote is converted by a conversion module
of the supplying subscriber into a standardized (platform-
independent) format. The quote of the supplying subscriber
is then transmitted in the standardized format via the
network, such as, for example, the Internet. The quote is
finally received by a conversion module of the purchasing
subscriber.
The quote can be converted by the purchasing subscriber
from the standardized format into a format that is suitable
for further processing by an internal EDP system of the
purchasing subscriber. The quote can then be processed
further and/or stored in the internal EDP system of the
purchasing subscriber.
The supplying subscriber may be, for example, an on-line
shop and the network the Internet. The purchasing
subscriber may be a potential buyer.
Consequently, all the items of information can be
automatically exchanged that are required for the purchase
of a product by the respective internal EDP systems of the
participating subscribers.
The conversion module can be configured, in particular, in
the nature of a respective Internet server and be
addressable accordingly.
In a first mode, the received data may, for example, only
be viewed, but not processed further and/or stored in the
internal EDP system of the receiver. In a second mode,
which may be reserved, for example, for members of a
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certain system, the received data can then be processed
further and/or stored in the internal EDP system of the
purchaser.
There are various ways in which a subscriber can find a
further subscriber who has a conversion module and also his
network address. For example, said subscriber can place an
enquiry with an address server that is connected to the
network (for example, the Internet) and in which
subscribers who have conversion modules and their
corresponding addresses are stored.
As an alternative or in addition, to find a said further
subscriber, an enquiry can be placed with a mediating
server to which the subscribers are known who have
conversion modules and to which their network addresses are
furthermore known. As a response to an incoming enquiry
from a subscriber, the mediating server issues its own
enquiry over the network. The result of its own enquiry is
then signalled back to the enquiring subscriber. For
example, the result of the enquiry may be the obtaining of
quotes or even be an immediate order if the subscriber
enquiring first desires this.
The standardized format can be based, in particular, on
WDDX (web-distributed data exchange), which is a standard
for data transmission between different applications based
on XML and was created by the Allaire company.
The internal EDP system can be connected to an internal
and/or external database.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention, a software product is provided that implements a
method of the abovementioned type when loaded into a
computer in a network environment.
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In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present
invention, a computer that is configured to perform such a
method is provided in a network environment.
Finally, a graphical operating surface is provided that
makes possible the performance of a method according to the
abovementioned type.
Further features, advantages and properties of the present
invention are evident in greater detail from the following
description of an exemplary embodiment, reference being
made to the figures of the attached drawings.
Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic view of a system for the
standardized electronic exchange of business data via
the Internet, and
Figure 2 shows the enquiry/quote issuing cycle as it
can be initiated by an order in accordance with the
procedure according to the invention.
Referring to Figure 1, a system according to the invention
for the standardized transmission of business-relevant data
electronically over the Internet will first be explained.
By means of a network, such as, for example, the
Internet 9, a first subscriber, namely an vn-line shop of a
seller 1, is connected, as shown, to a further subscriber,
namely a buyer 5. The first subscriber, namely the seller
1, has, as usual, an internal EDP system 2 that is
connected to an internal and/or external database 3.
Correspondingly, the second subscriber, namely the
(potential) buyer S, also has, as usual, an internal EDP
system 6 that is connected to an internal and/or external
database 7. The internal EDP system 2 or 6 communicates,
as stated, on the one hand, with the respective database 3
or 7 and, on the other hand, with a conversion module 4 or
8, respectively. The conversion module 4 or 8 may, for
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example, be an add-on module. The conversion module 4 or 8
converts the data that are being exchanged in each case
with the associated internal EDP 2 or 6, respectively, from
the platform of the internal EDP 2 or 6, respectively, into
a standard for the electronic data exchange of business-
relevant data. The communication between the potential
buyer 5 and the on-line shop of the seller 1 and, more
strictly speaking, between the respective conversion
modules 4 or 8 then takes place via the network, namely, in
particular, via the Internet 9. Furthermore, there may be
connected to the Internet an address server 10 and a
mediating server 11 that are incidentally shown separately
only for the purpose of the explanation and can in practice
be implemented as a unit. The function of the address
server 10 and of the mediating server 11 are explained
below in detail.
As a result of the procedure according to the invention,
existing and also new internal and external EDP solutions
can consequently be connected via the Internet 9. Items of
information can consequently be conveyed seamlessly from
each individual or each enterprise to the next respective
participating subscriber (again an individual or
enterprise) and be processed there immediately and
completely automatically.
Thus, for example, the following takes place automatically
in buying a product:
- the most favourable quote is sought,
- the readiness to deliver is clarified,
- the order is placed,
- the status of the order is constantly monitored by the
buyer,
- the order is processed by the seller and the product
is produced,
CA 02306676 2000-04-26
the most favourable type of dispatch is sought for the
product bought,
- the product is delivered,
- electronic delivery notes are drawn up and logged in
S the store both by the buyer and by the seller,
- the invoice is drawn up and logged in the accounts
department both by the buyer and by the seller,
- the due invoices are transmitted to the bank for
payment, and
10 - the payments received are transmitted by the bank and
logged in the accounts department.
In addition to buying/selling of products, further
embodiment and implementation possibilities are conceivable
for the present invention: journey planning, including
booking of aircraft, hotels and theatre performances and
the like, management of deposited securities including
stock exchange transactions, address management, including
automatic address correction, capital goods management
including automatic maintenance planning, etc.
A further advantageous application of a conversion model in
accordance with the present invention is in the assessment
of the creditworthiness, for example, of small or medium-
size enterprises (SMEs? at credit institutions. Normally,
the creditworthiness of such enterprises is checked by
field workers who have to collect, for this purpose, items
of information about the creditworthiness of the respective
small or medium-size enterprises beforehand.
The present invention makes it possible to collect
automatically items of information that are important for
the assessment of creditworthiness on the part of the
credit institution by the conversion module converting said
items of information into a packet in standardized form
that the credit institution can evaluate for the automatic
assessment of creditworthiness. The result of the automatic
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check of creditworthiness in the EDP system of the credit
institution can be a type of traffic light circuit that
automatically indicates to the credit institution the
creditworthiness of the applicant in three different
S stages. At "red" or "green", the EDP system of the credit
institution has drawn up automatically an unambiguous
response to the enquiry. At the indication "amber", the
automatic assessment of the creditworthiness by the EDP
system of the credit institution has revealed that no
unambiguous decision about the creditworthiness can be made
automatically. The indication "amber" therefore means that
the Applicant has to be re-checked by a field worker.
A further application of the present invention is store
monitoring, i.e. more strictly speaking the monitoring of
the store of a client by the supplier. The conversion
module can inform the supplier in standardized form in
packets when further deliveries have to be made to his
client's store. Consequently, the client's store is
automatically supplied continuously with the necessary
goods. The client consequently always has a complete store
or a store filled in accordance with the demands.
Furthermore, the supplier, for example, can call up by
means of the conversion module a statistic from his client
which informs him of how long the stocks will provisionally
still be adequate so that the supplier can in turn place
his own repeat orders himself.
A still further application of the present invention
relates to the so-called "supply-chain management". Said
supply-chain management closes the circle between a
logistic enterprise and a small distributor. Nowadays, most
producers deliver their products only in large amounts
(railway wagons, pallets, etc.). In a novel type of goods
distribution, logistic enterprises take over the fine
distribution for small or medium-size enterprises (SMEs).
If the present invention is used for the case where, for
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example, Internet orders are received by an on-line
shopkeeper (by means of the conversion module), commissions
are simultaneously placed with the logistic enterprise to
deliver the goods ordered ex-stock. The logistic enterprise
S has therefore in this case taken over the stock keeping for
the small company. The factors of time and stock holding
can consequently also be solved in the case of small
companies. In accordance with the present invention,
therefore, in this application case, orders are
simultaneously placed with the logistics enterprise when a
commission is received by an on-line shopkeeper since on-
line shop and stock keeping can be separated from one
another logistically and geographically.
Since, in accordance with the present invention, a standard
is agreed for the data exchange, a connection to the
standard by means of a conversion module has to be made
only once for each EDP system. With the standardized
connection, the individual or every enterprise, in general
every subscriber to the network, can then collaborate with
each respective further subscriber. This is achievable, in
particular, within an acceptable cost frame so that fully
automated electronic standardized data exchange is made
possible even for fairly small and medium-sized
enterprises.
Of course, every subscriber can decide himself which items
of information of his internal system a respective further
subscriber may access. In the case of a seller, for
example, all the items of information are offered which
relate to the clients: products for sale, quotes, orders,
production planning, deliveries, invoices, sales
statistics, etc. Of course, the enquiring client (buyer)
can always access only either generally accessible (public)
items of information or items of information relating to
himself.
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The implementation of the conversion module 4 or 8,
respectively, in the form of an add-on module makes
possible a retrofitting without a complete reprogramming of
the company EDP solution. In particular, the add-on module
S as shown in Figure 1 can also exchange items of information
directly with that database 3 or 7, respectively, which the
internal EDP system 2 or 6, respectively, also accesses.
The items of information to be offered can then be easily
selected and published by an intuitive graphical surface.
The conversion module 4 or 8, respectively, is configured
as an Internet server and can be addressed accordingly. The
items of information stored in various ways in the database
3 or 7, respectively, are converted by the conversion
module 4 or 8, respectively, into the standardized form.
The conversion module 4 of the seller 1 can, in particular,
accept incoming commissions and pass them to the in-house
EDP system for further processing.
The buyer 5 has, in particular, two ways of requesting, for
example, items of information offered by the seller 1:
In a first mode, the items of information requested
can be treated graphically and reviewed in a separate
program similar to an Internet browser. However, in
this mode, the full potential of the procedure
according to the invention can still not be utilized
since this mode only makes possible for subscribers
the reduced utilization of the procedure without
having to connect completely to the system.
In the second mode, an add-on module (conversion
module) to the company EDP solution of the buyer 5 can
store the items of information offered by the seller 1
automatically in the database 7 of the company EDP
solution used by the buyer 5. Consequently, for
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example, repetitive goods ordering operations can be
optimized. This facility naturally ensures that the
safety measures provided in the company EDP solution
6, 7 of the buyer 5 cannot be circumvented by an
access via the conversion module 8.
In the event of a full integration of the procedure
according to the invention in the company EDP solution 6, 7
of the buyer 5, the possibilities are fully exhausted: if
the buyer again receives a commission from one of his
clients, the commission is automatically logged in the
system, the availability of the components and production
capacities are checked, and the commission is performed. If
bottlenecks arise, the behaviour of the EDP solution can be
adjusted as required, for example, from an instruction to
the user via the automatic collection of quotes up to the
direct automatic re-ordering from the supplier. In this
case, the user can concentrate on monitoring the system,
client care and the non-automatable special cases.
The buyer 5 is able to find sellers 1 who offer items of
information by means of a conversion module in accordance
with the present invention in a plurality of ways:
In accordance with a first alternative, the buyer 5
knows the network addresses of the seller 1 and the
buyer can consequently log the network address of the
seller manually in the system.
In accordance with a further alternative, an address
server 10 is asked which communicates the sellers 1
having conversion modules in accordance with the
present invention including their network addresses
and further items of information to the (potential)
buyer 5.
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In accordance with yet a further alternative, the
sellers 1 are not logged by the (potential) buyer 5.
In the case of a sale, the commission is dispatched to
a mediating server 11, which automatically collects
5 quotes from the sellers 1 having conversion modules 4
and then signals the most favourable quote back to the
buyer 5 and, if necessary, also places an order if the
buyer 5 wishes.
10 As already repeatedly stated, an important component of the
present invention is the standardization of the items of
information for electronic business traffic. Consequently,
all the suppliers of company EDP solutions have the option
of integrating the invention into their system.
With WDDX, a standard already exists today for the uniform
electronic storage of individual data. The invention can be
based to this extent on WDDX and can extend it by defining
necessary and possible data fields for individual business
processes, such as quote request, ordering, delivery note,
invoice, etc.
A definition of data fields for individual business
processes is briefly set out below:
<Packet>
<header>
</header>
<data>
<var name="art.No.">
<string>087321
</var>
<var name="designation">
<string>table
</var>
<var name="price">
<string>150 Euro
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</var>
<var name=postal code">
<string>10 days
</var>
</data>
</Packet>
Referring to Figure 2, a cycle, according to the invention,
of an automated business sequence will briefly be explained
yet again.
In a step S1, an order is dispatched by a potential buyer 5
over the Internet. Muster AG receives as an example of a
seller said order via the Internet in a step S2. More
strictly stated, the conversion module 4 of the seller 1
receives said order, converts it into the format of the
internal EDP and passes it to the internal EDP or the
internal/external database. If the internal EDP has
detected in a step S4 that the order in accordance with
step S1 cannot be fulfilled or can only be inadequately
fulfilled since, for example, the stocks are insufficient,
Muster AG as seller issues a request itself via the
Internet in a step 55. In a step S6, Muster AG receives
current quotes from further subscribers that have
conversion modules. The buying agents of the Muster AG can
then decide on a supplier in a step S8. For this purpose,
in a step S7, the current quotes that are again received
via the conversion module are passed to the internal EDP.
In a step S9, the data from the supplier on whom the buying
agents have decided in step 8 is passed to the internal EDP
for completion, for example by means of delivery addresses,
delivery conditions and suppliers that are stored in the
database 3. This order is then transmitted again by means
of the conversion module via the Internet, which closes the
circuit.
