Introduction
A level of business integration is necessary to provide a basis for planning and running daily processes. Therefore, process integration is built upon data integration and represents internal and company business processes. With process integration, a business process can start multiple business processes in another company.
In intercompany trade, process integration is based on rules for starting a process in other companies. Additionally, business data is available in all companies along with the business process.
As with any supply chain stream, intercompany functionality supports upstream and downstream processes. Because the concept of upstream and downstream is used in relation to Intercompany process flow, it is imperative that you learn these terms:
Upstream - Used as a relative reference within a firm or supply chain to indicate movement in the direction of the raw material supplier.
Downstream - Used as a relative reference within a firm or supply chain to indicate movement in the direction of the end customer.