6. Electronic Data Interchange

The purchase order for one firm is the source document for the sales order of another firm. Consider the following purchase order and sales order data elements stored for two firms. Discuss any differences that may be problematic in transferring information between the two firms.

Purchasing Firm:

GH BETTIS

A Division of Galveston-Houston Corp.

1200 Post Oak Blvd.

P.O. Box 4768

Houston, TX 77637-9877

Data Elements:

Vendor Number

Vendor Name

Vendor Address

Vendor City

Vendor State

Vendor Country

Vendor Zip Code

Purchase Order No.

Date

Shipment Destination Code

Vendor Part No.

Item Description

Quantity Ordered

Unit Price

Total

Selling Firm:

Oakland Steel Company

469 Lakeland Blvd.

Chicago, IL 60613-8888

Data Elements:

Customer Number

Customer Name

Customer Address

Customer City

Customer State

Customer Country

Customer Zip Code

Purchase Order No.

Sales Order No.

Date

Shipping Company

Vendor Part No.

Item Description

Quantity Ordered

Unit Price

Total

Discount Offered

Tax

Freight Charges