WS-BPEL can be viewed as the next generation of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Although EDI and BPEL both deal with the automation of business-to-business electronic transactions, the specifications focus on different issues.

EDI specifications (i.e., ANSI X12) tend to be document-centric, with emphasis placed on defining the type and structure of business forms. Issues pertaining to the underlying business processes tend to be beyond the purview of the specifications.

Read more