EDI via XML

The aim of this work is to examine the business applicability and to present future potentials of XML technology for the exchange of data and structural information in a strategic network of globally operating small and medium-sized enterprises. It is therefore to be investigated to what extent XML technology can be regarded as a key technology for the formation of global corporate networks. First, the possible cooperative concepts that companies need in order to operate in such a network will be presented. From the investigation, requirements for a supporting IT system are to be derived. Subsequently, it is to be examined to what extent XML technology already meets these requirements and which extensions might be necessary to do so. For this purpose, a concept for an information system is to be developed that, especially in the initial phase of a cooperation, can serve as support. In addition, it is to be shown how companies can make their capabilities available to potential partners as selection criteria in a core competence-oriented and structured manner. Likewise, the possible architecture of a corresponding system is to be described, which enables a search for complex data such as business processes and core competencies. The goal is that, if necessary, certain capabilities can be searched for in the corporate network in a problem-related manner, thus enabling an initial contact with the option of later cooperation.