Abstract:
The present invention comprises a business offering to provide computer services and a system to provide a selection of those services. The offering comprises any combination of hosting computer application programs, providing e-business capabilities and providing integration facilities. The services are provided substantially simultaneously to a plurality of parties. In specific embodiments of the present invention, the computer application program is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (such as the SAP™ ERP system). The ebusiness capability provides a means for online business transactions between vendors and other parties and the integration capability enables integration of computer applications. Preferably, integration of an ERP system with an ebusiness capability is provided as an eERP solution. However, vendors are able to select various alternative combinations in accordance with their specific needs.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the provision of computer services and more specifically to the integration of computer application programs and e-business capabilities.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    As enterprises the world over continually seek to comply with legislated requirements (e.g. taxation laws) and current business practices (e.g. Internet-based e-business capability), the advantages of integration with supplier&#39;s systems to improve Supply Chain Management (SCM) represents just one challenge faced in a competitive environment.  
           [0003]    ERP systems are accounting-oriented information systems for identifying and planning the resources necessary to process customer orders. ERP systems typically differ from MRPII system in technical requirements such as graphical user interface, relational database, use of 4GL language, and computer assisted software engineering tools and development, client/server architecture and open system portability. ERP systems support a method for effective planning and control of an enterprise&#39;s resources necessary to accept, process, ship and account for customer orders in a manufacturing, distribution or service company. ERP is considered to be an integral part of Supply Chain Management (SCM) and often serves as the transaction backbone for other Supply Chain applications. Many ERP solution providers are adding other Supply Chain functions such as Advanced Planning and Scheduling to their application suites. SCM extend the method to reach trading partners, transportation and logistics suppliers, and other supporting functions.  
           [0004]    Larger enterprises normally have the resources to adopt to the changing environment, mainly by implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) packages such as SAP™, BAAN™ and PeopleSoft™. However, smaller enterprises frequently do not have the resources to implement a dedicated world-class system to achieve a competitive advantage or to simply stay in business.  
           [0005]    Application Service Providers (ASP&#39;s) deploy, host, manage and rent access to applications over the Internet from a centrally managed facility. However, ASP&#39;s typically concentrate on providing one or more individual applications, rather than integration of multiple applications. Furthermore, ASP&#39;s offer only a very limited degree of integration with client&#39;s existing systems.  
           [0006]    e-commerce can be defined as buying and selling over digital media. e-business, in addition to encompassing e-commerce, includes both front- and back-office applications that form the engine for modem business. e-business is about redefining old business models, with the aid of technology, to maximise customer value. e-business involves the convergence of Internet and information technologies, thus allowing more effective and efficient communications both internally and externally for companies and organizations.  
           [0007]    In the light of current developments, most specifically the proliferation of the Internet, a need exists to provide a comprehensive platform for a business to become an e-business.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The gist of the present invention revolves around a business offering to provide computer services. The offering comprises any combination of hosting computer application programs, providing e-business capability and providing integration capability.  
           [0009]    According to an aspect of the present invention, a business method is provided for offering computer services to a plurality of vendors, by a service provider. The method comprises offering one or more services, which are supplied to the vendors substantially simultaneously, selected from the group consisting of:  
           [0010]    hosting a computer application program;  
           [0011]    providing an e-business capability for on-line business transactions between the vendors and other parties; and  
           [0012]    providing an integration capability for integration of computer applications.  
           [0013]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for providing, by a service provider, computer services to a plurality of vendors comprising:  
           [0014]    processor means to host a computer application program for a plurality of vendors;  
           [0015]    processor means to provide an e-business capability for on-line business transactions between the vendors and other parties; and  
           [0016]    processor means to provide, to a plurality of vendors substantially simultaneously, an integration capability for integration of computer applications.  
           [0017]    The processor means to host a computer application program for a plurality of vendors, the processor means to provide an e-business capability for on-line business transactions between said vendors and other parties, and the processor means to provide, to a plurality of vendors substantially simultaneously, an integration capability for integration of computer applications are configured in accordance with a vendor selection from an offering comprising one or more services selected from the group consisting of:  
           [0018]    hosting a computer application program;  
           [0019]    providing an e-business capability for on-line business transactions between the vendors and other parties; and  
           [0020]    providing an integration capability for integration of computer applications.  
           [0021]    In specific embodiments of the present invention, the computer application program is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (such as the SAP™ ERP system). Preferably, integration of an ERP system with an ebusiness capability is provided as an eERP solution. However, vendors are able to select various alternative combinations in accordance with their specific needs. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    Features and preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 shows a general framework of a hosting infrastructure that supports integration of a computer application program and an e-business application program;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 shows a general framework for hosting computer application programs and providing computer services;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the data centre of FIG. 2;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 shows a process flow for application program hosting;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 shows a process flow for Business-to-Customer (B 2 C) e-commerce transactions;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 shows a process flow for Business-to-Business (B 2 B) procurement by means of a browser;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 shows a process flow for Business-to-Business (B 2 B) procurement directly from a vendor&#39;s system;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a specific embodiment of an integrated ERP and e-business system, being an overview of the mysap.com architecture; and  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 9 shows the framework of FIG. 1 in additional detail. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0032]    The principles of the preferred method and/or system described herein have general applicability to any computer-based application programs and e-business application programs. For ease of explanation, the preferred method and/or system are/is described with reference to an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application and, even more specifically, the SAP™ ERP Application. Similarly, the e-business application program is described with specific reference to the WebSphere™ Commerce Suite. However, it is not intended that the present invention be limited to any of the specifically described application programs.  
         [0033]    For purposes of this disclosure, “vendors” are defined as those parties that offer their goods and services for sale on-line, typically over the Internet. Accordingly, “vendors” represent customers of an ASP.  
         [0034]    “Customers”, on the other hand, are defined as “customers of vendors”. Accordingly, “customers” avail themselves of goods and services offered by vendors on-line, typically over the Internet.  
         [0035]    A “front-end” is defined as an interface for access to an application program. In this way, an e-business “front-end” provides on-line access, for multiple customers simultaneously, to the goods and/or services offered for sale by vendors, typically over the Internet.  
         [0036]    Similarly, a “back-end” is defined as a system or application program that is connected behind a front-end. In the present context, an ERP application program represents a “back-end” to the e-business front-end.  
         [0037]    A “workplace server” is defined by SAP™ as the server that collects the user roles from the various application systems and builds the role-based and personalized portal Web page. In addition, a workplace server can be used for centralized user administration.  
         [0038]    An “eMarketplace”, in this context, is defined as an electronic trading hub that facilitates commercial transactions. To be successful, it is essential that an eMarketplace can interpret messages sent to the eMarketplace by all trading partners and that the eMarketplace is capable of producing messages which can be processed by all trading partners.  
       General Embodiment of Offering to Vendors by a Service Provider  
       [0039]    Referring to FIG. 1, use of a hosting infrastructure  100 , that supports integration of a computer application program and an e-business application program, is offered to vendors  110  and  120  by a service provider (not shown). The hosting infrastructure  100  includes an e-business layer  102 , an application layer  106  and an integration layer  104 . The e-business layer  102  provides a complete framework to conduct e-commerce that attracts customers  170  and drives sales. The e-business layer  102  typically provides a comprehensive set of integrated software components for the building, maintenance and hosting of electronic (on-line) stores and malls so that the vendors  110  and  120  can sell goods and services via the Internet. The e-business layer  102  can be tightly or loosely integrated with an application layer  106 , such as an ERP system back-end. Vendors  120  with legacy systems (i.e. non-ERP systems) who use the application hosting component of the offering, transact with their customers  170  through the e-business layer  102  by connection to the hosting infrastructure  100  through an application layer  106 . The e-business layer  102  and the application layer  106  are coupled via the integration layer  104 .  
         [0040]    Vendors  110  already have an ERP system and access the e-business layer  102  and the integration layer  104  via the Internet or a dedicated communications link. Vendors  120  with legacy systems, on the other hand, are using the ERP system of the service provider and access the system  100  via the application layer  106 , also via the Internet or a dedicated communications link. Customers  170 , of vendors  110  and  120 , access the hosting infrastructure  100  through the e-business layer  102  via the Internet. Business partners  160 , of the vendors  110  and/or  120 , access the e-business layer  102  and/or the integration layer  104 , also via the Internet or a dedicated communications link.  
         [0041]    In order to process commercial transactions, a bank  130  is accessible through the integration layer  104 . The bank  130  is in turn connected to the banking network  140  and may thus transact with other banks  150 , being banks of vendors  110  and  120 , customers  170 , and business partners  160 .  
         [0042]    Examples of business scenarios that can be provided by the offering include:  
         [0043]    1. Application Hosting Only  
         [0044]    The service provider hosts a computer software application on behalf of vendors  120 , serviced by the application layer  106 . For the exemplary case of a hosted ERP Application, each vendor typically has a dedicated production system and access to development and test environments that are shared by multiple vendors. Access to the ERP Application is usually via an Internet website, portal or workplace. Industry segment templates are employed to shorten the implementation lifecycle of the application for each particular vendor.  
         [0045]    2. Application Hosting with Integration  
         [0046]    In this scenario, a vendor  120  selects integration capability, serviced by the integration layer  104 , in conjunction with application hosting. For the exemplary case of a hosted ERP Application, this option enables integration of the ERP Application with an existing legacy application of the vendor  120 . Alternatively, integration of the hosted ERP Application and a vendor&#39;s own e-business application is possible.  
         [0047]    3. e-business Only  
         [0048]    The service provider builds, maintains and hosts electronic stores and malls for vendors  110  and/or  120  to sell their goods and services on the Internet. The exact functionality of the e-business capability is determined by vendor requirements and can include a secure e-commerce environment, secure Internet payment methods and support of third party connectivity for Business-to-Business (BSB) transactions. In this instance, vendors  110  and/or  120  provide their own integration facilities, at their end, for integration of e-business services provided by the service provider with their existing computer software application (e.g. legacy or ERP system).  
         [0049]    4. e-business with Integration  
         [0050]    In this scenario, non-ERP-enabled vendors  120  and/or ERP-enabled vendors  110  can select integration capability, serviced by the integration layer  104 , in conjunction with e-business capability, serviced by the e-business layer  102 . This option enables integration of e-business capability, provided by the service provider, with existing applications, such as legacy or ERP systems, of the vendors  110  and/or  120 .  
         [0051]    5. Application Hosting with Integration and e-business (eERP)  
         [0052]    In this scenario, vendors  120  select a hosted computer application program, such as an ERP system, integrated with e-business capability. Thus, all three layers  102 ,  104  and  106  of the hosting infrastructure  100  are employed. Integration of ERP and e-business simplifies the use of ERP systems and makes the systems reusable and more financially attractive to vendors. Numerous vendors and customers of those vendors utilize a common infrastructure to access an ERP system via an e-business front-end interface. The full suite of possible options are available by this EERP offering.  
         [0053]    6. Integration Hosting Only  
         [0054]    An Integration Hub, represented by integration layer  104 , can serve as a standalone offering. In this instance, the integration hub can be used to integrate a computer application program and an e-business application program, both of which are not hosted by the service provider. Additionally, the hub can be used to support more general integration requirements such as distributed vendor applications or connecting of vendors  110  and/or  120  to business partners  160 .  
         [0055]    7. Hosting Infrastructure  
         [0056]    The infrastructure necessary to support the above solutions can also be used to provide a general hosting service. The data centre and system management facilities can be utilized by the service provider and offered to other parties. For instance, an application provided and supported by a partner of the service provider can be hosted on the partner&#39;s behalf.  
         [0057]    8. Electronic Marketplace (eMarketplace)  
         [0058]    Vendors  110  and  120 , customers  170  and other business partners  160  can use the eERP solution as a trading eMarketplace to conduct business transactions. The inclusion of the integration layer  104  ensures minimum compliance costs for all parties.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 2 shows a general framework for hosting computer application programs. The data centre  210  and the implementation team  244  of FIG. 2 implement and maintain the application programs and e-business application programs hosted by the hosting infrastructure  100  of FIG. 1.  
         [0060]    A vendor  222  accesses the data centre  210  via a dedicated communications link  220 , such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) link. Alternatively, a vendor  234  accesses the data centre  210  via the Internet  232 . Similarly, a customer  236  of a vendor  222  or ERP customer  234  accesses the data centre  210  via the Internet  232 . Vendors  222  and  234  and customers  236  use browser software applications that execute on computer systems such as Personal Computers (PC&#39;s) and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA&#39;s) to access the data centre  210 .  
         [0061]    The implementation team  244 , responsible for implementation and maintenance of the data centre  210 , accesses the data centre  210  via an intranet  242  and a communications link  240 .  
         [0062]    The data centre  210  is also connected to the banking network  252 , via a dedicated communications link  250 , for processing transactions between the vendors  222  and  234  and customers  236  of the vendors  222  and  234 , electronically.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 3 shows a detailed block diagram of the data centre  210  of FIG. 2. Direct communications link  220  access to the data centre  210  is via a router  302  and a firewall  304 . Internet access  230  to the data centre  210  is via a router  312  and a firewall  314 . Traffic is routed via a dedicated ring and thus remains isolated from the intranet  242  of the service provider at all times. A Web Server  324  is connected to an Internet Transaction Server (ITS)  322 , a Workplace Server  330 , an e-business server  340  and an Integration server  350 . The Web Server  324  and the ITS  322  constitute what SAP™ call a middleware component of the mysap.com architecture.  
         [0064]    The communications link  240  provides access for the ERP application implementation and maintenance team  244  via an intranet  242  of the service provider. The communications link  240  provides access via the Server  310 .  
         [0065]    FIGS.  4  to  7  show various transaction process flows occurring in the general framework shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The numerals accompanying the individual process flows in FIGS.  4  to  7  indicate the sequence of the overall process flow for a particular transaction type.  
       Application Hosting Process Flow  
       [0066]    [0066]FIG. 4 shows a process flow for application hosting of an ERP system by a service provider.  
         [0067]    A browser  410 , located at a vendor&#39;s site, communicates with a host data centre  430  via the Internet (not shown) or a dedicated link  420 , such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) link.  
         [0068]    Internet communications, at the host data centre  430 , are processed by a Web Server  432  that is connected to a Middleware Server  434 . The Middleware Server  434  is configured as an Internet Transaction Server (ITS). The ITS is in turn connected to a Workplace Server  436  that provides an operating environment, such as an Internet website, portal or workplace, for access by an ERP customer. The Workplace Server  436  accesses the ERP components hosted on the ERP Application Server/s  438 .  
       B 2 C e-commerce Transaction Process Flow  
       [0069]    [0069]FIG. 5 shows a process flow for e-commerce transactions between a business and a customer (B 2 C). The ERP application program is hosted at a data centre  530 , by a service provider, on behalf of a vendor.  
         [0070]    A browser  510 , of a customer, communicates with the host data centre  530  via the Internet (not shown).  
         [0071]    Internet communications, at the host data centre  530 , are processed by a Web Server  532  that is connected to an e-business Server  534 . The e-business Server  534  is configured as an online marketplace, using software such as IBM&#39;s WebSphere™ Commerce Suite. The e-business Server  534  is in turn connected to a Integration Server  536 , such as a MQ Series Server, that integrates the marketplace and the ERP components hosted on the ERP Application Server/s  538 .  
       B 2 B e-commerce Transaction Process Flow—Procurement via the Internet  
       [0072]    [0072]FIG. 6 shows a process flow for e-commerce transactions between businesses (B 2 B). Specifically, the transactions involve procurement from a vendor, by a customer of the vendor, via the Internet.  
         [0073]    A browser  610 , of a customer, communicates with a host data centre  630  via the Internet (not shown).  
         [0074]    Internet communications, at the host data centre  630 , are processed by a Web Server  632  that is connected to an e-business Server  634 . The e-business Server  634  is configured as an online marketplace, using software such as IBM&#39;s WebSphere™ Commerce Suite. The e-business Server  634  is in turn connected to an Integration Server  636 , such as a MQ Series Server, that integrates the marketplace and the ERP components hosted on the ERP Application Server/s  638 . The Integration Server  636  also integrates the ERP components with a Procurement Application Server  614 , at the site of the customer. The Integration Server  636  is connected to the Procurement Application Server  614  via the Internet (not shown).  
       B 2 B e-commerce Transaction Process Flow—Procurement directly from ERP Customer&#39;s Backend System  
       [0075]    [0075]FIG. 7 shows a process flow for e-commerce transactions between businesses (B 2 B). Specifically, the transactions involve procurement from a vendor, by a customer of the vendor, directly from the customer&#39;s back-end system. The back-end system may be a legacy system (i.e. different to the ERP application provided by the service provider).  
         [0076]    The customer&#39;s Procurement Application Server  710  is connected to an Integration Server  722 , such as a MQ Series Server, at a data centre  720 , via the Internet. The Integration Server  722  is connected to an e-business Server  724 , which is configured as an online marketplace, using software such as IBM&#39;s WebSpherer™ Commerce Suite. The Integration Server  722  is also connected to the ERP Application Server/s  726 . In this configuration, the e-business Server  724  is not directly connected to the ERP Application Server/s  726  and must thus communicate with the ERP Application Server/s  726  via the Integration Server  722 . The Integration Server  722  is connected to the customer&#39;s Procurement Application Server  710  via the Internet (not shown).  
       eERP Embodiment  
       [0077]    Referring to the previously described eERP business scenario  5  and FIG. 1, a vendor  120  places a catalogue of the products on to a web site, which is hosted at the e-business layer  102  level. Catalogues are built using material master records stored in the application layer  106  and are fully synchronised. A customer  170  can browse those catalogues and purchase items from the catalogues. A purchasing transaction is passed to the service provider bank  130  via the integration layer  104 . If the service provider&#39;s bank  130  is different from a customer bank  150 , a debit transaction is passed to the customer bank  150  via the banking network  140 . The transaction is also recorded in the ERP system at the application layer  106 . A confirmation message is sent to the customer  170  if there are sufficient inventory levels and the payment transaction was successful. If transportation of the purchased good is required, a freight company business partner  160  of the vendor  120  is notified. Communications between the vendor  120 , their house bank  130  and their business partner  160  occur with the facilitation of MQ Series messaging and communication software.  
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 9 shows the framework of FIG. 1 with additional detail and is now used to describe a transaction process, as a sequence of steps, in this eERP embodiment:  
         [0079]    1. Sales catalogues are published in the e-business suite  103 . The catalogues can be synchronised with a vendor material master of an ERP system. The synchronisation occurs using the Integration Hub (refer to the diagram below). A vendor  120  can control the catalogue publishing process using a standard web browser  121 .  
         [0080]    2. Customers  170  browse the vendor&#39;s site using a standard web-enabled browser  171  and can choose to purchase one or more items from the catalogue.  
         [0081]    3. Once a purchase transaction is recorded in the e-business suite  103 , a sales order document is generated and passed on to the MQ Series Client 920.  
         [0082]    4. The MQ Series Client  920  passes on the message to a message queue in the MQ Series Server  900 , which forms part of the integration layer  104 . The message is then processed by the MQ Series Integrator  910 , which maps the received file to the sales order format of the ERP System  107 .  
         [0083]    5. Once the sales order file in the ERP system format has been generated and passed back to the MQ Series server  900 , the sales order file is placed in a message queue of the MQ Series Server  900  for transfer to the application layer  106 .  
         [0084]    6. The MQ Series Client  184 , setup in the application layer  106  passes the message to the ERP system  109  where a sales order is recorded and a confirmation message is generated.  
         [0085]    7. The confirmation message is sent back to customer&#39;s browser  171  using the same route, but in the reverse direction.  
         [0086]    8. If payment details were collected (applicable to B 2 C transactions and some B 2 B transactions), payment instructions are sent to the vendors&#39; house bank  130 . Alternatively, payment instructions can be processed using payment processing functionality built into the e-business suite  103  (WebSphere™ Commerce Suite for example).  
         [0087]    The MQ Series integration solution is a publicly available product for integration of various application programs and software suites. In simplified terms, MQ Series translates information between applications and requires some implementation at the integration layer  104 , the application layers  102  and  106  and other parties connected to the eERP system. Specific MQ Series ‘connectors’ are commonly available for translation of information into formats necessary for specific applications (e.g. SAP™). The MQ Series Integrator  910  incorporates an MQ Series Integrator Library that is specific to an application (e.g. SAP™).  
         [0088]    Notwithstanding, alternative integration solutions are available. Custom solutions and connectors can be employed, however, off-the-shelf solutions incorporating relevant libraries and connectors (such as MQ Series) are generally more cost effective.  
       mySAP.com Application Hosting  
       [0089]    [0089]FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a specific embodiment of an integrated ERP and e-business system. The ERP system used is SAP™ R/3 and the integrated system is accessible through the mySAP Workplace enterprise portal (mySAP.com), on the Internet.  
         [0090]    The SAP system consists of three components (not shown) namely Development (DEV), Test (TST), and Production (PRD). Additional components may be added as necessary. The DEV and TST components are shared by multiple vendors. The PRD component can either be provided on a shared basis or a dedicated vendor basis.  
         [0091]    A user (e.g. a customer of a service provider) accesses the SAP™ system real time by means of a browser  810 , connected to Workplace Middleware  820 . The Workplace Middleware  820  consists of a Web Server and an Internet Transaction Server (ITS). The ITS consists of two components—Web GATE (WGATE) and Application GATE (AGATE). AGATE is the main component of the SAP™ ITS and is responsible for session management including the mapping of R/3 screens or function modules to Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Web session time-out handling, R/3 connection management and the generation of HTML documents. The WGATE component encapsulates the various Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server interfaces such as Common Gateway Interface (CGI), Netscape™ Server Applications Programming Interface (NSAPI) and Internet Server Applications Programming Interface (ISAPI), transparently. The WGATE component passes the requested data to the AGATE component, and receives the HTML pages from the AGATE component. The separation of AGATE and WGATE components minimises the security risk by only having the necessary code on the HTTP server which is relevant to the SAP™ Internet Transaction Server function for the Web server.  
         [0092]    The Workplace Server  830  collects the user roles from the component systems and builds a role-based and personalised portal Web page. In addition, this information can be used for centralised user administration. The Workplace Server  830  is usually a relatively small system with moderate system loading, because the actual business functions are carried out in the component systems  840  without any participation of the Workplace Server  830 . SAP™ have a number of different component systems apart from R/3 ( 844 ). Other systems include Business Warehouse (BW)  842 , Automated Planning and Optimiser (APO), CRM, BBP (SAP&#39;s B 2 B app), etc. The database of the Workplace Server is small, because it holds no actual business data. The Workplace Server  830  enables actual SAP™ transactions to be executed via a web browser  810 .  
         [0093]    Two different implementation approaches can be taken with respect to the physical location of the Workplace Middleware  820  and the Workplace Server  830 . In the centralised approach, the Workplace Middleware  820  and the Workplace Server  830  are located at the service provider&#39;s site, while in the distributed approach, either one or both of the Workplace Middleware  810  and Workplace Server  830  are located at the customer&#39;s site.  
         [0094]    Customers of the vendor using the integrated e-business and ERP (e ERP) capabilities can utilise the provided e-business capability. The e-business component consists of IBM&#39;s WebSphere™ Commerce Suite, tightly integrated with the SAP™ back-end. Customers connect to the WebSphere™ Server via the Internet. Multiple customers may thus utilize this server and the associated configuration, simultaneously.  
         [0095]    Vendors can be connected to the hosting data centre either via a dedicated line (direct connection to the data centre) or via the Internet. A dedicated connection can be serviced by either a frame relay or an ISDN link. In either case a router, which supports both ISDN and frame relay connections (such as CISCO 2503) is necessary at the vendor&#39;s site. Vendors can also access their ERP system via the Internet, providing sufficient Internet connection bandwidth is available. If the available bandwidth is insufficient, or the customer does not have a permanent Internet connection, sufficient bandwidth can be obtained by connecting to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) using ISDN, satellite or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) methods.  
         [0096]    In order to access the system the incoming network traffic will have to pass through one of two firewall configurations. If the traffic is coming from a dedicated line, it is routed via a Secure Network Interface (SNI) firewall. A dedicated port is setup for vendors wishing to access their system via a dedicated link. Vendors connecting via the Internet require an additional firewall before the traffic can be routed to their ERP system.  
         [0097]    The foregoing describes only a few arrangements and/or embodiments of the present invention, and modifications and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, the arrangements and/or embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.