Understanding EDI formats
Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2025 4:46 am
What is EDI?
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a technology that allows different businesses to exchange documents in a standardized electronic format. Instead of using paper, email, or fax, businesses can send documents like purchase orders and invoices directly from one computer system to another. EDI was first introduced in the 1960s and became more widely adopted in the 1980s and 1990s. This technology helps ensure that the data is accurate and sent quickly.
For EDI to work, both the supplier and the retailer need to have EDI implemented. This is often initiated by the supplier. EDI is ideal for automating integrations because it standardizes the data exchange process. It allows different systems to communicate easily, reducing the need for manual work and iran telegram screening minimizing mistakes.
There are different EDI formats, and knowing their differences is important:
ANSI X12: Common in the United States, used for various business documents.
EDIFACT: Widely used in Europe and internationally.
Proprietary variants: Some companies and software providers, like COMARCH, have their own EDI standards. These are tailored to specific business needs and may offer additional features.
Industry-specific variants: Certain industries have their own EDI standards. For example, the automotive industry uses standards like ODETTE, while the retail industry may use standards developed by GS1.
Each format has its strengths, and the choice depends on your specific needs and the region you operate in.
While EDI is a standardized document format, it is by no means plug and play. Each party has their own specific values for specific fields, and ultimately a mapping between these values needs to be made. For example, while you might use a product property called "table top color" with a value such as "Dark Oak", a supplier might call that same property "surface color" with a property value of "Brown wood".
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a technology that allows different businesses to exchange documents in a standardized electronic format. Instead of using paper, email, or fax, businesses can send documents like purchase orders and invoices directly from one computer system to another. EDI was first introduced in the 1960s and became more widely adopted in the 1980s and 1990s. This technology helps ensure that the data is accurate and sent quickly.
For EDI to work, both the supplier and the retailer need to have EDI implemented. This is often initiated by the supplier. EDI is ideal for automating integrations because it standardizes the data exchange process. It allows different systems to communicate easily, reducing the need for manual work and iran telegram screening minimizing mistakes.
There are different EDI formats, and knowing their differences is important:
ANSI X12: Common in the United States, used for various business documents.
EDIFACT: Widely used in Europe and internationally.
Proprietary variants: Some companies and software providers, like COMARCH, have their own EDI standards. These are tailored to specific business needs and may offer additional features.
Industry-specific variants: Certain industries have their own EDI standards. For example, the automotive industry uses standards like ODETTE, while the retail industry may use standards developed by GS1.
Each format has its strengths, and the choice depends on your specific needs and the region you operate in.
While EDI is a standardized document format, it is by no means plug and play. Each party has their own specific values for specific fields, and ultimately a mapping between these values needs to be made. For example, while you might use a product property called "table top color" with a value such as "Dark Oak", a supplier might call that same property "surface color" with a property value of "Brown wood".