    UDT Series on Data Communication Technologies and Standards for Libraries Electronic Data Interchange: An Overview of EDI Standards for Libraries (1993)4. GLOBAL EDI INFRASTRUCTURE4.1 The Open-edi4.1 - The "Open-edi" Conceptual Model (Knoppers (1993)) (19K)4.1.1 The Open-edi Conceptual ModelThe group also defined the Open-edi Conceptual Model illustrated in Figure 4-1. The model illustrates the relationships between the various components of an EDI transaction. The Reference Model is subdivided into two aspects of EDI communication, or "views":
Business Operational ViewThe Business Operational View models describes the "edi' process in terms of "role players" and "scenarios". A scenario is a generic description of a set of Open-edi operations. Actual operations may proceed along different decision paths defined within scenarios. For example, the acquisitions process could be treated as an Open-edi scenario. Within the lifetime of a purchase transaction there are a number of decision points at which various paths for future operations are available. The scenario descriptions for acquisitions would describe all the possible decision paths.A role describes all possible actions of a role player in a scenario. A role supports the notion that parties in an EDI scenario are autonomous decision-making entities by providing a variety of choices of action. In an instance of a scenario, a role player is seen as exercising choice (through some process which is outside the model) in selecting its next step within its role. In the course of a scenario, role players exchange information "parcels", which might be EDIFACT messages, and/or other kinds of data. A role proceeds in atomic steps (i.e. steps which cannot be further subdivided) called episodes. An episode is executed fully or it is not executed at all. In an episode, a role player receives information parcel(s) from other role players such as a purchase order sent to a book seller. The "business" information in the parcel(s), such as bibliographic information and the number of copies together with other information that the role player already has such as whether the book is in print or not, is used to make a business decision, i.e, to supply the book or not. Having made a decision, business information is prepared, the role player checks against agreements and context and executes one of several possible next steps, e.g. a shipped notification is sent indicating that the desired item(s) have been shipped. Future WorkThe report of the Open-edi study report concludes by identifying seven areas in which further work is required to allow the Reference Model and related standardization work to proceed:
4.1.2 ISO/IEC JTC1/WG3The final report from the SWG-EDI was discussed and accepted by ISO/IEC JTC1 in October 1991 (Knoppers,1993). This was followed by the creation of a new working group to carry on the work of developing an Open-edi Conceptual Model. The Working Group on Open Electronic Data Interchange (JTC1/WG3) objective is to standardize mechanisms and services in support of Open-edi.JTC1/WG3's program of work will encompass:
4.1.3 IAeGThe Inter-Agency Working Group for Coordinated Open-edi Standards Development (IAeG) was formed to coordinate EDI-related work going on within a number of international organizations other than ISO and the IEC. It includes representatives from a broad spectrum of organizations creating EDI applications or involved in EDI standardization. It is anticipated that this group will help to integrate existing EDI standards developments with the Open-edi concept and help to avoid divergent approaches to EDI standardization and implementation (Consensus, 1992).4.1.4 Applications for Open-ediThe user groups whose requirements were taken into account in defining a model for EDI were very diverse. It included not only trade and commerce organizations, but also those involved in scientific and technical, manufacturing, meteorological, geographical, medical, library, and public administration activities. The model is designed to include the exchanges of all information types, as long as they are predefined, structured and processable by applications at both ends. As such it is anticipated that 'edi' will extend beyond current applications such as purchase orders, invoices, payments, bills of lading, customs declarations, and funds transfers. Open-edi includes not only traditional data types such as numbers, character strings, currencies and date and time-stamps but also CAD/CAM. Graphical User Interfaces, bit-maps/graphics and voice recordings. As such, EDI technology could be used to support the exchange of information such as interlibrary loans, student transcripts, passports and medical records (Knoppers, 1993).
It will be a few years before there are software products and systems in place which support the Open-edi model. The primary function of the Open-edi initiative is to ensure the global exchange of edi messages. The Open-edi initiative has provided the framework necessary to continue this work. In short, Open-edi principles can be applied to almost any activity which involves the exchange of predefined and structured data electronically among the information systems of organizations or individuals.
To meet these objectives, the programme coordinates activities in different industry sectors and encourages the formation of user groups, pilot projects and work on message standards (Peeters, 1988). The TEDIS programme also works to coordinate the efforts of the various European user groups and organizations involved in EDI activities in the various industry sectors by offering them logistic support and financial assistance. Two TEDIS supported initiatives involving the adoption of EDI by the book and serial industry are discussed in Section 6 of this report. TEDIS also works closely with the EDIFACT Board for Western Europe. As part of its technical support activities, TEDIS maintains a database of standard message types, segments, codesets and data elements in current use, so that potential users can apply messages that have already been developed by the various sectors. The TEDIS programme also works to coordinate issues of common interest across the sectors such as telecommunications issues, security issues, legal aspects and software provision, In the area of telecommunications, the use of OSI protocols such as X.400 and FTAM is encouraged to support EDI communications.
Currently in its second phase, 29 contracts have recently awarded under the TEDIS programme for a variety of EDI initiatives and pilot projects. It is hoped that this programme will provide a firm base for the development of EDI within the European Community.
The EDI World Institute's mandate includes efforts:
The primary thrust of the Institute is to support research, implementation activities, information and education services. While the EDI World Institute works to support and promote the use of international standards, the Institute does not participate in the formal EDI standards development process. Membership in the EDI World Institute is open to national EDI associations and councils, private companies involved in world trade, government and industry organizations involved in the implementation of EDI as well as research and academic institutions. It is hoped that the EDI World will provide the coordination necessary to cope with the problems inherent in the development and use of EDI on a global scale (Lortie, 1993).
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