Questions for Vendors

Mark,

Generally, it is my belief one needs to interrogate the specdifications provided with a fine tooth comb.

I also believe that the final specification should contain the vendor provided inbound message specification (if one exists) as amended for this particular implementation as well as the receiving vendor provided specification as amended for this particular implementation. There should be a detailed specification produced which indicates where every outbound field comes from in the inbound message and exactly how that field should look and exactly how it might be generated.

There should be a section which indicates the business processes expected to occur on the inbound systgem and the impact each process has on the generation of a message or message set as well as the impact that message and/or message set will have on the receiving system. Including how that data will look to the user of the receiving system

It is wise to have a team constructing the Integration Specification. A person knowledgeable in the business rules and processes for both the sending and receiving systems need to participate. Additionally it is wise to have a vendor representative assigned to answer questions.

One needs to be very ‘pointed’ with questions such that there is no room for mis-interpretation. In my experience vendors produce canned specifications which only serve to prove they have messages or accept messages. These specifications are rarely (in my experience) actually reflective of what is really produced or expected. Question EVERYTHING!!!

There is so much more…

Jim Kosloskey