VMI EDI or XML?

[Former Member]

Hi Gurus,

We are in process of setting up VMI with one of our bigest customer. We are working on SCM5.0 and ECC6. But customer has non R/3 system and already have EDI infrastructure.

This VMI implementation using APO ( that is Customer system -> APO(DP/SNP)-> ECC6 (Sales order)), Customer will be sending sales and stock data to APO and we may have to send confirmation after Sales order create in ECC6.

My questions is what is best method to exchange data between customer, EDI or XML? If so what are the advantages using one over other?

Regards,

Niranjan

[Former Member]

XML will be needed over external link, which means you would need to create a link in SAP where this XML data could be posted. XML is a web standard and can be posted over internet. So linkage is not a problem, however security of data being posted , or allowing external data could be an issue.

EDI subsystem allows you to map the data conviniently and securely however its not a web standard and also you would be dependent on EDI subsystem for interpretation and mapping of data.

Hope this information helps.