Trade facilitation lost a great innovator and implementer when Don Trafford passed away peacefully on 14 September. Rightly known as one of 'the founding fathers of EDI' Don was influential in establishing the language that allows computers to talk to each other. Joining SITPRO at its very beginning in 1971, Don worked tirelessly for over 15 years on developing the open standard for computer to computer communication together with the standardisation of the actual data exchanged.
Don was not content just to invent the language and define the words for computer data interchange. He took the next major step in promoting its wide-spread use. He actively encouraged the development of software solutions to deliver the implementation tools to the business community and indeed government. Within SITPRO, Don was the Secretary and the driving force of the Electronic Data Processing (EDP) group that took the UK work on the road to the United Nations and standards development organisations in North America.
Don's indefatigable efforts probably had their finest day in 1988 with the publication of a joint UN and ISO standard, commonly known as EDIFACT. His exceptional work and enduring achievements were justifiably recognised in 1987 when he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.).
All who met Don will recall his sharp intellect, dedication and commitment - he will be missed by his fellow EDI pioneers and many other colleagues. His legacy is possibly the most successful global standard for effective communication between trading partners and the facilitation of the international trade environment. If you want to know more about Don's pioneering work you can visit a dedicated website at www.dontrafford.com (Link to an external site - Disclaimer 
) and read the many tributes.
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 62, Autumn 2007
