ELECTRONIC commerce steering group Fleetnet is warning companies not to turn their backs on EDI technology as the industry embraces the prospect of widespread trading via the Internet. With many leading players in the industry predicting that paperless Internet trading will become a reality within the next few years, Fleetnet is warning it is too early to allow emerging Internet developments to eclipse existing EDI facilities.

Fleetnet chairman and IT director of Auto Windscreens Roger Kendrick said: 'The suggestions being made appear to be that Internet will provide a panacea, but in fact there is a long way to go. We want to see use of the Internet because it should be cheaper, but all the facilities are there already for use of EDI.'

Fleetnet, a forum of companies was set up to foster and encourage use of electronic trading in the fleet industry, has set a number of 'standards' to paperless trading and believes that Internet usage will complement EDI.