In <[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] writes:

> I have a question.  A large customer has indicated they will eventually
> want to send and receive EDI with us via email.  I assume he means as
> file attachments to email.  Currently, I have no connection with the
> Internet from our HP3000 and no network.  What sort of directions have
> some of you taken in terms of hardware and software to be able to do
> batch processing of email attachments?

Nowadays, using MIME standard encoding, you can attach any type of data to
an e-mail message; the "trick" is getting an appropriate label on it.

To do exchanges, you need to both SEND and RECEIVE some sort of data (in this
case using e-mail as the medium). If the data originates on the HP3000, then
the easiest way to get it into an e-mail transport is to e-mail it right from
the 3000. Package the message up with the appropriate (MIME) labels and send
it off. As you mentioned you have no direct Internet-link from your 3000 (as
most sites don't) you need to point the mail process on the 3000 at another
system that CAN get to the Internet (called a "mail relay" in this context).
This system can be just about anything running an SMTP compatible mail
system (M$ Exchange, Unix Sendmail, or other gateways).

<plug>In NetMail/3000, you just name this system as the "trusted gateway" in
the global config screen.</plug>

To receive messages (especially MIME labelled attachments) is a little tougher
in some cases. Ideally the mailbox used for incoming mail (for this trans-
action at least) is linked to a script, such that incoming mail is processed
automatically as soon as it is received. <plug> In NetMail/3000, you link a
mailbox to an MPE script, which can contain logic to extract/save (and decode
if necessary) a specified attachment from the message. The attachment is now
just another MPE file, which you can read into your own program(s) and
process. </plug>

The only remaining item might be security; there isn't a commercial
(strong) encryption package available for the HP3000. (the various packages
that are around, aren't legal for commercial use or don't run on the 3000.)

Since EDI data isn't normally encrypted this may not be a problem; if it is,
DES and Triple-DES are available (and legal) and easily integrated, but you
need to use a "secret key" (shared between the partners) to encrypt data;
there's no framework/software available to use "public keys" on the 3000.

Feel free to give me a call if I can be of assistance. <plug> Demos of
NetMail/3000 are available from us (3k) or downloadable right off our web or
ftp sites.</plug>

              -Chris (remove nospam) Bartram


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