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Softshare Delta®
The open architecture of Softshare Delta lets you create just about
any integration solution imaginable. Whether you want to integrate
EDI purchase orders with an internal accounting database, convert
accounts receivable files into XML invoices, load your inventory into
an online Web catalog, or handle Web service requests, Delta has all
the tools you need to integrate your business operations.
Because Delta is an any-to-any mapper, not only are you able to
integrate all incoming and outgoing e-commerce documents with
your internal applications, but you are also able to integrate between your internal applications. After all, no back-end application
should be an island. With Delta, you can transform your disparate
data sources into a unified e-commerce enterprise.
Source Data Format
Delta is a true universal data translator, supporting a variety of data
formats including EDI, data (flat) file, database, and XML. Delta also
supports mapping to text document formats such as HTML to aid in
Web integration.
Target Data Format
EDI
Data File
Database
XML
Text
EDI to...
P
P
P
P
P
Data File to...
P
P
P
P
P
Database to...
P
P
P
P
P
XML to...
P
P
P
P
P
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Introduction
Versions &
System Requirements
Features
Enhancements
Benchmarks
Softshare Delta Versions
Softshare offers three versions of Softshare Delta: Standard,
Enterprise, and Run-Time.
Softshare Delta Standard & Softshare Delta
Enterprise
The biggest difference between the Standard and Enterprise
versions of Delta is found in the types of data formats they support. Delta Standard supports the translation of two common
business data formats: EDI and flat file.
Delta Enterprise supports three additional data formats: database tables, XML, and text. And, when run with Softshare ECS,
Delta Enterprise also supports Web services.
Softshare Delta Run-Time
Delta Run-Time incorporates the same powerful map execution
capabilities as Delta Standard and Enterprise, but without any
user interface components. Because Delta Run-Time cannot
be used to create or edit translation maps, it’s typically used by
value-added resellers, consultants, or those looking to bundle
Delta as part of another software solution for the purpose of
offering out-of-the-box translation to clients.
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Introduction
Data Format
Delta Standard
Delta Enterprise
Delta Run-Time
EDI
P
P
P
Data File
P
P
P
Database
P
P
XML
P
P
Text Document
P
P
Softshare Delta System Requirements
Component
Minimum Requirement
Computer
Pentium PC, 500 MHz or higher processor (1 GHz recommended)
Memory
512 MB of RAM (1 GB recommended)
Hard Disk Space
100 MB available disk space
Monitor
VGA monitor with a 256-color display
Operating System
Microsoft Windows® 2000, 2003, or XP (Microsoft Windows Vista is
not supported at this time)
Versions &
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Features
Enhancements
Benchmarks
Easy Modeling
of Five Data Formats
Delta supports the modeling of five data formats. With the exception of text
(which can only be used as a target data format), you can map to or from any
of Delta’s supported data formats.
Before you can map between two data formats, you must first model those
formats. Your source model represents the data that you are translating. Your
target model represents the data after it is translated. For example, if you were
to integrate incoming EDI purchase orders into an accounting database, your
source model would represent the format of the EDI purchase orders and
your target model would represent the format of your accounting database.
Delta displays your models in a user-friendly interface. All objects and elements are given descriptive titles and parent-child relationships are graphically shown via nesting. In addition, each element has its own set of properties
that let you control the element’s mandatory status, width, range, acceptable
values, and so on.
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EDI Model
Element Properties
Overview | EDI | Data File | XML | Database | Text File
Easy Modeling
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EDI Models
Softshare Delta ships with the final releases of the ANSI X12 and UN/EDIFACT
standards and offers full support for all X12 dictionaries and all recent EDIFACT
directories. In addition, Delta supports the TRADACOMS EDI standard.
EDI Modeling with Ease
Migrating to New EDI Versions
If your ICs or those of your trading partners are updated to reflect a new EDI
version, Softshare Delta can automatically convert your models to the new
version. Called Map Migration, this feature saves you the time and trouble of
recreating your EDI models and the maps associated with them.
There are four easy ways to model your EDI documents:
yy Import sample EDI documents
yy Import Standard Exchange Format (SEF) files
yy Import Guideline XML (gXML) files
yy Use Delta’s built-in EDI standards
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When you import a sample EDI document, Softshare Delta creates a baseline
model that reflects all the segments and elements found in the sample. This
baseline model can then be enhanced with additional segments, elements,
and code values as needed.
If your trading partner makes their ICs (implementation conventions) available
in an electronic SEF or gXML file format, Delta can use this information to create a complete EDI model in a matter of seconds, no adjustments needed.
Even creating an EDI document from scratch is easy. Using its built-in EDI
standards, Delta provides you with a baseline EDI model that contains the
mandatory segments and elements required for the EDI version and document
type you are modeling. If your trading partner’s ICs call for “illegal” EDI, you can
create and save a custom EDI version to use as a basis for your EDI model.
Overview | EDI | Data File | XML | Database | Text File
Easy Modeling
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Data File Modeling
With Ease
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Like EDI models, data file models are easily created by importing sample
files. Softshare Delta recognizes both fixed-width and character-delimited
file formats, including comma-separated values (CSV) and tab-delimited
files. Delta Enterprise users running SAP®, a popular ERP application, can
take advantage of Delta’s SAP IDocs Modeler utility to instantly create a
data file model based on an SAP IDoc parser file.
Hierarchical & Structured Data Files
Softshare’s data file models can consist of multiple, linked data files (also
known as hierarchical data files) or multiple record types (also known as
structured data files). This is crucial for support of the header-detail relationships typically found between data files.
When linking data files within a data file model, Delta prompts you for
linkage information. Typically, linkage is accomplished through matching
field values. During mapping, Delta uses the linkage criteria to read in or
write out all of a header record’s detail records before moving on to the
next header record.
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When incorporating multiple record types within a data file model, Delta
prompts you for record identifiers so that it can distinguish record types
during mapping.
When linking data files within a
data file model, Delta prompts
you for linkage information.
When incorporating multiple
record types within a data file
model, Delta prompts you for
record identifiers.
Overview | EDI | Data File | XML | Database | Text File
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XML Modeling with Ease
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There are four easy ways to model your XML documents:
yy Import sample XML documents
yy Import XML schemas
yy Import DTDs
yy Use Delta’s XML modeler to create an XML model from scratch
XML-Based Business Frameworks
Softshare Delta Enterprise, when used in conjunction with Softshare ECS,
provides a complete solution for the exchange, creation, and translation of
XML-based business frameworks such as RosettaNet, SOAP, BizTalk, ebXML,
and others. One feature that is integral to Delta’s support of XML-based business frameworks is the XML Schema Manager. The XML Schema Manager
locally stores the schemas you work with so that during mapping, Delta can
dynamically validate XML data against its associated schema.
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XML modeling is available to Delta Enterprise users only.
Overview | EDI | Data File | XML | Database | Text File
Easy Modeling
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Database Modeling
Softshare Delta Enterprise supports Microsoft’s OLE DB standard for universal data
access, allowing you to avoid intermediary data files and integrate directly with
your internal database applications instead. Since OLE DB is backward compatible
with the ODBC standard, Delta can access hundreds of relational database systems,
including SQL Server, Oracle, IBM’s DB2, and Informix, as well as file-based databases such as Microsoft Access, dBASE, and FoxPro.
Affording you more power, Delta lets you write your own structured query language (SQL) statements for running complicated queries or calling stored procedures. Database modeling is available to Delta Enterprise users only.
Modeling databases is easy in Delta. To connect to and model a database, you create a data link in the Data Link Manager utility. Data links identify database location,
user name and password, and other relevant database information.
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As with data file models, database models can consist of multiple, linked tables.
This is crucial for support of the header-detail relationships typically found between
database tables. A single database model can incorporate tables that do not reside
in the same database, or even on the same machine.
If database columns have constraints
placed on them or are read only, Delta
Enterprise displays these designations
in the model. Any column descriptions
or comments that the database stores
are displayed here as well.
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Data Link Manager
Database Model
Overview | EDI | Data File | XML | Database | Text File
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Text File Modeling
For use as a target model only, Softshare Delta Enterprise uses the text document model to translate
any of the previously highlighted model formats
into text files. You can use this model type to create
faxes, e-mails, form letters, and even HTML-formatted Web pages.
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Text document models are unique in that the
model elements are referenced within text sections
that you author. During mapping, these elements
are substituted for the data that is mapped to them,
letting you populate the text output with information that is specific to the source data.
Text document modeling is available to Delta Enterprise users only.
As shown in this HTML
output example, the text
entered for text section
objects references the
object’s child elements.
Overview | EDI | Data File | XML | Database | Text File
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Drag-and-Drop Rule Writing
Once your business object models are defined, the next step is to identify how
the target model will use the information from the source model. This is done by
writing rules that link the source model’s data elements to their proper positions
in the target model. In Softshare Delta, rules can be written by dragging and dropping a source element onto a target element, or they can be written manually.
Delta supports both source- and target-driven mapping. By default, Delta performs rules based on source data structure, but in the event that the structures of
your source and target data are too disparate to be reconciled through sourcedriven mapping, you can switch to target-driven mapping. Delta’s target-driven
mapping feature lets you reorder the objects in the source model so that they
more closely match their counterparts in the target model.
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Rule Pane
{
Source Model
{
To map an element from your source
model to your target model, drag it to the
target model. The resulting rule appears
in the rule pane.
}
Drag-and-Drop Rule Writing
Easy Modeling
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Target Model
Advanced Rule Writing
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Advanced
Rule Writing
Mapping is rarely as straightforward as linking one data
element to another. Usually, your target data format
requires data that is not present in your source data. Or,
you may need to manipulate your source data before
it meets the requirements of your target data format.
For example, your accounting package may require
catalog numbers in order to generate invoices, but the
purchase orders you receive from your trading partner
only identify your products by name.
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For this scenario and countless others, Softshare Delta
offers a host of rule refinement features. You can
incorporate functions, conditions, variables, arrays,
sequences, and constants into your map rules. Or, you
can perform dynamic lookups that retrieve the needed
information from an alternate data source such as a
database or file during map execution.
The Expression Builder, a Delta tool
that assists with manual rule writing, is
loaded with over 200 built-in functions
for you to use in your map rules, each
with its own help file. If the evaluation
you require isn’t here, you can create
your own function.
Drag-and-Drop Rule Writing
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Advanced Rule Writing
Mapping Tools
Introduction
Map Testing
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Management
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Map Testing
Breakpoints
Softshare Delta’s map testing and debugging features help ensure that your map is
accurate before you place it into production.
Diagnostic Window
When Softshare Delta tests a map, it performs a complete dry run of the map. The
Diagnostic Window logs the details of the test run, alerting you to any errors that
were encountered. You decide the level of detail that is logged, ranging from a
severity level of debug, which tracks every action Delta takes for informational purposes, to a severity level of error, which indicates that map execution was halted
due to an unrecoverable error.
Breakpoints pause map testing at user-defined locations in the rule set. When
Softshare Delta encounters a breakpoint, it displays a snapshot of the translation
that has taken place up to the breakpoint in the Map Debugger window. From this
window, you can view the values contained by the map’s source elements, target
elements, and variables at the time of the breakpoint. This debugging feature is
extremely helpful when trying to pinpoint elusive map errors.
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Output Files Window
Immediately after the test run, assuming it wasn’t halted due to errors, Softshare
Delta displays the Output Files window, which lists all the temporary files that were
created as a result of the test run. You can open these files and view the test target
output by double-clicking them.
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Trading Partner Manager
Using Trading Partner Manager (TPM), an application that ships with Softshare Delta, you can store a large amount of data for each of your trading
partners such as contact information, part numbers, sender and receiver
IDs, delivery instructions, and internal IDs assigned by your company. For
EDI trading partners, you can also store EDI-related data such as qualifiers;
ISA and GS identifiers; element, sub-element, and segment delimiters;
control number sequences; and functional acknowledgment generation
procedures. During map creation and execution, Delta gives you full access to the data in TPM so that you can incorporate trading partner data
into your map rules.
One trading partner can have
multiple identifiers: one test and one
production identifier for each type
of data sent or received.
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In addition to storing trading partner data, TPM is also the link between
a map’s source or target data and the trading partner that is sending or
receiving that data. When you link your maps to their related trading partners in TPM, Delta is able to automatically address outgoing translated
documents, automatically translate incoming documents, and automatically generate functional acknowledgments.
Delta’s tight integration with TPM makes trading partner lookups possible. Trading partner lookups let Delta dynamically determine, upon
map execution, where a map’s EDI, XML, or text document output should
be delivered based on information found in the source data. By taking
advantage of trading partner lookups, you can automatically turn around
translated output to the original sender or deliver different portions of a
map’s output to different trading partners.
Assigning maps to your trading
partners allows Delta to dynamically
determine which map to run against
incoming EDI or XML data.
Using the EDI-specific information
stored in TPM, Delta can format
outgoing EDI documents on a pertrading-partner basis.
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Web Services
Implementing Web Services
Softshare’s Web Services Toolkit provides additional guidance
when implementing Web services. Click the below link to learn
more about this add-on component.
When Softshare Delta Enterprise and Softshare ECS are run in tandem, you get
a platform that keeps pace with the rapidly evolving world of Web services and
business frameworks such as ebXML, RosettaNet, ACORD, SOAP, and SOAP with
Attachments. Working together, Delta Enterprise and ECS are extensible, supporting all current business frameworks—and any future ones.
ECS handles the communications component of Web services with its built-in
HTTP server, a specialized “Web server” that continuously listens for incoming connections and synchronously responds to posted data based on its content. Delta
Enterprise translates the XML messages that are exchanged via Web services,
using Web-service-specific features and functions to package and unpackage the
encapsulation layers used by most business frameworks.
http://www.softshare.com/software/toolkit
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Web services support is available to Delta Enterprise users only.
Packaging & Unpackaging Business Framework Data
Softshare Delta Enterprise offers pipeline mapping, a feature that allows you to
package the layers of encapsulation used by many business frameworks. Pipeline
maps deliver their output (along with any variables) to a second map, triggering
the second map to execute and letting you chain maps together.
In addition, you can call and execute other maps from within a map based on
source data content. This is especially helpful when unpackaging the data contained within a business framework.
In this graphic, we are informing Delta and
ECS that the PartyId XML element in this
model will always carry “document sender”
identification data.
Tracking Your XML Data
In Softshare Delta Enterprise, you can create identity models, which identify key
elements in XML business documents such as the document’s sender, receiver,
and control number. Identity models give business context to XML data so that
(1) Delta can recognize the sender/receiver of incoming XML data and trigger the
appropriate maps and (2) Softshare ECS can track XML data as it passes through
your enterprise.
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Helpful Utilities
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Delta ships with several utilities that enhance the translation experience.
Log Viewer
Log Viewer records the details of every Softshare Delta map execution. It logs
information such as when a map ran, what computer it ran on, whether or not it ran
successfully, and, if the run wasn’t successful, what errors were encountered.
Log Viewer
SAP IDocs Modeler
Users of SAP®, a popular ERP application, can use SAP IDocs Modeler to import SAP
IDoc parser files into Softshare Delta and instantly create data file models based on
the standards provided in the IDocs. Available to Delta Enterprise users only.
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EDI Dictionary Viewer
EDI Dictionary Viewer displays the ANSI X12, UN/EDIFACT, and TRADACOMS standards in an easy-to-read format. If you or your trading partner’s ICs call for “illegal”
EDI, you can use this utility to create custom dictionary standards on which to base
or validate your EDI.
EDI Dictionary
Viewer
EDI Notepad
EDI Notepad is the ultimate EDI editor, providing all those clever features you’ve
always wanted when viewing and editing EDI transactions. These features include
several viewing modes, syntax validation for all EDI standards and versions, edit
tools to edit or build EDI documents, document delivery capabilities, and automated functional acknowledgment generation.
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EDI Notepad FREE Download
You don’t have to be a Softshare client to enjoy EDI Notepad!
You can download it for free at our Web site:
EDI Notepad
http://www.softshare.com/software/edinotepad
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Integration With Softshare ECS
While Softshare Delta can be used as a stand-alone application, it is most typically run in conjunction with Softshare ECS, Softshare’s electronic commerce
server. In this environment, Delta translates the data that ECS passes to it, then
delivers the data back to ECS for further routing, such as delivery to your trading
partners or internal areas of your enterprise.
When ECS passes arriving EDI or XML data to Delta, Delta uses the data’s content
to automatically determine the appropriate map(s) to run. In addition, you can
establish map execution schedules from ECS.
©
Softshare e-Go
If you determine that your business does not require ECS as a part of your translation solution, there is a Delta add-on component that you can purchase called
the Softshare e-Go utility. Using this very basic communications utility, you can
initiate the retrieval of data from your local file system for delivery to Delta, effectively kicking off map execution. Without Softshare e-Go, data retrieval and subsequent map execution would need to be handled via command-line scripting.
Click the link below to learn more about Softshare ECS:
http://www.softshare.com/software/ecs
Softshare Delta/ECS Training
Softshare offers comprehensive integration training seminars for Softshare Delta
and Softshare ECS users. In just three days, you’ll have a solid understanding of
how to use Delta and ECS to accomplish all your e-commerce integration goals.
Click the below link for more information on our integration training.
http://www.softshare.com/services/training
Integration
with ECS
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SAP, Oracle &
Epicor Bridges
Enhancements
Benchmarks
Bridge the Gap to Your
ERP Application
Bridges provide passage over terrain that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to navigate. Softshare’s suite of ERP system bridges is no exception. As addon components for Softshare Delta, these bridges smooth the way for integration
between your ERP system’s back end and the EDI documents that you exchange
with your trading partners.
Integration Bridge for SAP
The Integration Bridge for SAP has three main functions. Its IDoc Modeler utility
dynamically retrieves IDoc layouts from the SAP R/3 server and models them,
down to the last detail, in Softshare Delta. Nine sample maps illustrate how to
map to and from the SAP IDoc formats within the context of real-world EDI business scenarios. And last, but not least, a custom SAP output queue in Softshare
ECS, Softshare’s e-commerce communications server, initiates direct data integration with one or more SAP R/3 servers.
Translation Bridge for Epicor Vantage
The Translation Bridge for Epicor Vantage features several models that accurately
represent Epicor Vantage’s intermediary data files, saving users the time it would
otherwise take to manually model these files in Softshare Delta. In addition, this
bridge installs with eight sample maps that illustrate how to map to and from the
Epicor Vantage data file format within the context of real-world EDI business scenarios.
Learn More
Choose one of the following links to learn more about Softshare’s suite of ERP
system bridges.
http://www.softshare.com/software/delta/bridge/sap
http://www.softshare.com/software/delta/bridge/oracle
http://www.softshare.com/software/delta/bridge/epicor
Integration Bridge for Oracle
The Integration Bridge for Oracle dynamically retrieves Oracle’s Interface Files
from the Oracle database and models them, down to the last detail, in Softshare
Delta. In addition, four sample maps illustrate how to map to and from these
Oracle formats within the context of real-world EDI business scenarios.
Integration
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SAP, Oracle &
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Benchmarks
Softshare Delta Benchmarks
Softshare tested a number of common translation scenarios to provide you with relevant time benchmarks for Softshare Delta. Each scenario was executed several times
and the following tables represent the averages. These tests were performed on a Dell
Dimension 3000 with a Pentium IV (2.8 GHz) processor and 512MB of RAM.
Mapping from EDI
Mapping from Data File
The following five translation scenarios feature EDI as source data. The specifications
for the source EDI file that these tests were performed with are:
yy ANSI X12 4010 version
yy 10,000 total 850 transactions (purchase orders) in 1 ISA envelope
yy 60,104 total line items
yy 6,855,581 bytes file size
The following five translation scenarios feature a data file as source data. The specifications for the source data file that these tests were performed with are:
yy Structured data file (i.e. contains two record types)
yy 10,000 total header records (representing purchase orders)
yy 60,104 total detail records (representing purchase order line items)
yy 5,932,928 bytes file size
Target
EDI (855 v 4010)
Data File
Database (SQL Server)
XML
Text E-Mail
Translation Time
7:15
1:36
3:30
2:54
2:01
Transactions/Second
22.96
104.17
47.62
57.47
82.64
KB/Second
15.37
69.74
31.88
38.48
55.33
Target
EDI (850 v 4010)
Data File
Database (SQL Server)
XML
Text E-Mail
Translation Time
1:23
0:53
1:56
0:56
1:28
Orders/Second
121.21
190.48
86.21
180.18
113.64
KB/Second
70.23
110.36
49.95
104.39
66.84
Mapping from Database
Mapping from XML
The following five translation scenarios feature a database as source data. The specifications for the database that these tests were performed with are:
yy Microsoft SQL Server 2000
yy 10,000 total header rows (representing purchase orders)
yy 60,104 total detail rows (representing purchase order line items)
The following five translation scenarios feature XML as source data. The specifications
for the source XML file that these tests were performed with are:
yy 10,000 total XML documents (purchase orders)
yy 60,104 total line items
yy 11,000,180 bytes file size
Target
EDI (850 v 4010)
Data File
Database (SQL Server)
XML
Text E-Mail
Translation Time
3:42
3:11
7:56
3:29
3:34
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Orders/Second
45.15
52.49
21.01
47.96
46.73
Rows/Second
316.50
368.00
147.28
336.23
327.59
Introduction
Target
EDI (850 v 4010)
Data File
Database (SQL Server)
XML
Text E-Mail
Versions &
System Requirements
Features
Translation Time
1:45
1:11
2:17
1:57
1:41
Orders/Second
95.69
140.85
72.99
85.47
99.50
Enhancements
KB/Second
102.80
151.30
78.41
91.82
106.89
Benchmarks