Book excerpt: This report will assist the reader in determining which EDI product, among many candidate products, best meets the reader's requirements. Chapters include: EDI tutorial (history of EDI, communications, etc.), functional evaluation guidelines (basic capabilities, access control, communications, installation and maintenance, application system interfaces, customization, data conversion and editing, control and audit reports, and support); performance evaluation guidelines (performance tests, performance testing example); integration and implementation issues (Fed. procurement). Extensive bibliography. Illustrated.