INTERNET-BASED EDI STRATEGY

The Internet appears to be a cheap, efficient, and ubiquitous channel for transmitting Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) transactions. This paper contrasts two strategies for implementing Internet-EDI systems. McKesson treated its Internet-EDI system as a traditional information systems development project while Bank of America built its Internet-E DI system with a prototyping approach. The paper discusses the conditi ons in which either approach may be appropriate in terms of project go als, time constraints, environmental uncertainty; and organizational s tructures employed. It also suggests that emerging Internet-EDI applic ations could transform trading partners relationships by reducing the import of EDI-capability as a competitive asset. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sci ence B.V.