of electronic commerce.

The new Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system introduced by Kempe & Whittle Consulting is expected to revolutionise business practices.

Unlike person-to-person electronic messages, called E-mail, EDI enables different organisations to send computer-to-computer business messages.

Director of Management Services at Kempe & Whittle, Mr. Peter Frese said: "The ability to let two systems `talk' to each other without having an intermediary person has enormous benefits to a company.'' Kempe & Whittle Consulting is installing EDI locally, beginning with firms in the food industry.

The Supermart Ltd. on Front Street and Winter-Cookson, Petty Ltd. are the first two trading partners to proceed with the installation of EDI.

"Food retailers and wholesalers are trading partners who depend on each other and recognise that EDI is a better way to do business,'' said Mr. Frese.

The installation of the EDI connections is expected next month. Currently, purchase orders of goods required by the Supermart are determined and invoices of goods being delivered are produced by Winter-Cookson, Petty. These invoices are generated on their computer system and then delivered on paper and keyed into the Supermart's system.

Once EDI is installed, the two computer systems will be able to pass the information electronically and avoid the costs and mistakes of re-entering the data.

Kempe & Whittle Consulting are also working with the Bermuda Telephone Company and Cable & Wireless to implement EDI and E-mail in other industries locally and around the world.

"As we implement EDI in the food industry, we can see that it has equal benefits in the pharmacy, building supply, financial, shipping and many other groups,'' said Mr. Frese.

"The national movement into electronic commerce will improve the competitiveness of Bermuda,'' he added.