The purpose of the ProcessItemNonconformance is for the order management application to request ItemNonconformance data for a trading partner from the ItemNonconformance management function. The ProcessItemNonconformance does not imply any update, it is only an inquiry function. The ShowItemNonconformance discussed in the next chapter will be the response back to the order management application.

Discussed in a later chapter is the UpdateItemNonconformance. The UpdateItemNonconformance may be used in both directions between the order management and the accounts receivable application. Its purpose is to keep order, shipment and open item amounts current. Finally, the ChangeItemNonconformanceStatus is used to update the order management application with any changes in business status for a particular trading partner.