An article on CNet today explains why XML is not yet widely used as a medium for B2B data exchange.
The arguments given by the author are:
- XML solutions cost as much as--if not more than--their EDI counterparts
- XML isn't widely used, and vendors are inexperienced, which means that implementation outlays are higher than those for EDI
- Technical standards remain in flux
- The installation of XML calls for process reengineering, which businesses would rather avoid after a decade of upheaval implementing enterprise software
- Many executives doubt whether their companies really want to share strategic data with partners and competitors
The article concludes by stating that:
"XML won't be adopted as the preferred technology in the near future unless its costs fall, businesses implement big XML systems internally, standards are defined and trading partners discover incentives to share additional data. Even as more companies move toward XML, we expect it to complement, not replace, EDI."
Posted at July 19, 2003 03:46 PM | TrackBack