EDI in foreign trade: a perspective on change and international harmonisation

If EDI is to succeed to a similar degree as paper‐based systems then international harmonisation and standardisation must be achieved across all functional groups (banking, transport, insurance, customs) and industry sectors on message standard and structures. UN/EDIFACT is now the dominant body producing generic EDI messages for use in international trade. All functional areas have Message Development Groups but the main areas of success to date lie in deep sea transport, forwarding and customs functions. Message development needs to proceed rapidly in all functions before integrated EDI systems can be offered. In recognition of this, UN procedures are now in place to harmonise such message formats across all trade regions (ITIGG/IHG), industry sectors (MIST/IHG) and transport modes (MIST/ITIGG). The negotiability of the electronic Bill of Lading is also an issue which will be tested across industry sectors by Bolero Operations Ltd launch programme early in 1999.