Internet Electronic Data Interchange with XML and JAVA

In this paper, a complete concept for Internet Electronic Data Interchange using XML is proposed and the realized prototype, which has been developed for an industrial partner to improve the current situation of parts delivery, is described. Scope of the problem The starting point of the project was a problem of our industrial partner (BMW Motors Steyr in Austria). During the process of parts delivery the company has to collect manually a lot of data either from the suppliers or from the carriers. Because this method of data collection is very time-consuming, it happens only if some problems during this process are becoming visible. Because of the market pressure, which leads to reduced part stocks, and therefore to just-in-time production, it is necessary to increase the timely parts delivery and the integration between the enterprises. The system, which was developed with the industrial partner, fulfills two main functions: The monitoring of the suppliers and the carriers for increasing the on-time departure performance of parts delivery. The responsibility of parts delivery should be transferred to the suppliers. Therefore it is necessary to expose internal logistics data to the suppliers. In both tasks there is need for a transparent, flexible and low-cost data exchange method, based on the latest Internet technology. The proposed system makes it possible that all relevant data for controlling the process of parts delivery are available automatically and electronically for the industrial partner, and all suppliers and carriers of this factory, at any time.