Strategic information systems planning: deriving comparative advantage from EDI

In this paper we argue that EDI should not be viewed simply as a technological infrastructure, but as a technology which may enable an organisation taking a strategic view to derive comparative advantage from utilising it as part of a process of business reengineering in other words, as a socio-technical entity. We suggest that Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) is a suitable superstructure within which EDI implementation may be considered from an appropriate strategic, as opposed to tactical, perspective. Finally we describe the theory and current practice of SISP and present guidelines for its application in relation to EDI.