DoD electronic commerce/electronic data interchange (EC/EDI) systems modeling and simulation

To facilitate and modernize procurement procedures, the Department of Defense (DoD) has taken new initiatives to develop an advanced system architecture for electronic commerce (EC) using electronic data interchange (EDI). Modeling and simulation techniques will support key decisions for the evolving EC/EDI system. Computing and communications processes to handle EC/EDI transactions are implemented using ANSI X12 and X.435 protocols and will be constantly improved. Scientific traffic characterizations and forecasting must be conducted prior to EC/EDI infrastructure designs. Modern parallel-processing technologies will aid in handling different types of transactions among purchasing officers, vendors, and various intermediary databases, computer processors, and communications networks. DoD is planning to modernize and expand the existing information system infrastructure for handling increasing EC/EDI traffic and services.