Re:Go to it (Score 1)

I think you all miss the point by thinking the translator is the hard part. You can convert just about any EDI format (flat file, XML, or other) just using a well-constructed XSLT transform. Yes, virginia, XSLT will transform flatfiles, too! The part that is hardest, IMO, is getting the standards cartels to tell you what their particular format is. You should start a "free standards" movement to get these people to describe their formats in a machine-readable format and make it freely available instead of charging thousands like they do now. If the standards are available, any idiot can write a translator, and many will. Starting a free-standards movement might be a waste of time, though. Look at http://www.biztalk.org if you want to see one attempt. oasis is another. The problem is, you need to get EDIFACT, X12, and all of the other cartels to provide the standards they use for free if you want this to work. IMO, you should be applying your pressure within your company to use only EDI formats that are freely and publicly available. After that, it is trivial to write your own translator or buy one off the shelf..