An apparatus, method, and method for doing business allows two business partners
to communicate with each other in an architected manner. A first company monitors
for changes to its internal data structure that indicate that communication with
a second company may be required. A trigger mechanism monitors the data structure
for changes, and invokes a software application when the data structure is changed
in a defined manner. The software application extracts the new or changed data
from the data structure, formats the data into an XML document, and sends the XML
document to the second company via a secure communication mechanism, such as a
virtual private network (VPN). The second computer system receives the information
from the first computer system, parses the information, and processes the information.
The second computer system then generates an appropriate response to the first
computer system. In this manner, the first and second computer systems can communicate
in an architected manner using XML documents, thereby allowing automation of processes
between the two companies.
