ERP Interfaces for Enterprise Networks

Abstract

Although Enterprise Networks may be formed for different purposes, the need of integration always pops up. Integration requires interfaces, clear and consistent constructions of the communication. FLUENT (Flow Oriented Logistics Upgrade for Enterprise Networks) is a joint European project (Esprit IV) in which - among others - ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) interfaces are defined and implemented for systems, like SAP and Baan. ERP systems provide proprietary interfaces, so FLUENT founded a common core interface specification easy to fit for any ERP interface. FLUENT ERP interface architecture defines XML schemas and transformations to convert a proprietary ERP data set to the format of another one and vice versa. This architecture is based on standardised XML solutions so exploits the advantages of the emerging XML trend.