Programs & Requirements - EDI Manual - EDI Specifications
Getting Started - EDI Transaction Info
Software Providers - EDI - VMI
Contact Us Quick Reference Ship To Duns List
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) a form of paperless communication, is a storage and retrieval communication process. EDI allows for the transfer of hundreds of business documents (purchase orders, invoices, remittance advice, etc.) that are frequently used between trading partners with ease and efficiency in a relatively short period of time. In most cases, EDI replaces mailed documents, phone calls, and faxes.
In order to become EDI capable you will need some type of computer. Many types of computers can be used to become EDI capable, from a personal computer to a mainframe system. You will need to select the computer that best meets your business needs.
The software you choose should allow you to:
There are many EDI software providers available to assist you in selecting the software for your computer system. EDI software can be traditional translator based software, or can be a web form EDI solution. In order to select the EDI software that will work best with your system, contact your current computer support personnel and current computer software provider. Listings of EDI software suppliers can also be found on the Internet.
The Company is commited to leveraging the Internet to support the secure exchange of business information with our trading partner community. Here are just a few of the benefits that you'll experience once you Internet-enable your EDI transactions:
To obtain our AS2 profile and security certificate please fill out the request form under the "Contact Us" tab.
Problem resolution is a shared effort between the trading partners, our company, and the EDIINT solution provider or the VAN. Communication of the problem, changes in status, updates regarding the problem, and the final resolution, are the keys to successful problem management.
As upgrades are introduced, we will notify each trading partner and detail what changes will take place. A specified time for conversion upgrades will be determined and announced.
EDI transmissions can contain a single document or multiple documents, commonly referred to as "Transaction Sets". These transaction sets are enclosed by "Header" segments and "Trailer" segments. These header and trailer segements make up the EDI "Envelope" for addressing the documents to and from trading partners. The records between the header and trailer segments are called "Data Segments". The Data Segments contain small units of information called "Elements". An element can be made up of alpha or numeric values that can be a single character or multiple characters in length. The length of these elements and type of element is determined by the standards committee and is defined in the appropriate EDI Standard Manual. Elements within a data segment will have a relative value to the segment. For example, a segment named DTM is a date segment; thus all elements will have a relationship to a date. The following information will further define the header and trailer segments in an EDI transmission.
The "Header" is made up of the following 3 segments; the ISA segment, the GS segment, the ST segment.
The ISA segment identifies the sender and receiver of the EDI transmission. The ISA is used to begin an "Interchange" of one or more GS segments, also known as "Functional Groups".
The GS segment identifies the application type for the interchange for both sender and receiver. This segment can be used to route EDI data to various systems or locations by trading partners (ex: different A/P systems, different physical locations). The GS segment is also the beginning of a functional group. This segment is also used to provide control information.
The ST segment identifies the type of document you are sending or receiving. This segment is the beginning of the dcoument, or transaction set. For ANSI X.12 documents, the document is identified by the 3 digit numeric value assigned by the ANSI standards committee (ex: 997).
The "Trailer" is made up of the following 3 segments; the SE segment, the GE segment, the IEA segment.
The SE segment identifies the end of the document or transaction. This segment will include a total quantity of "data segments" transmitted, including the ST and SE segments. This quantity can be used to verify all EDI data transmitted is received by the trading partner.
The GE segment indicates the end of the data provided under a GS segment, or functional group. Multiple GS segments can be included in an EDI transmission, so this segment can indicate the end of a document type or application type.
The IEA segment is the last segment sent or received in an EDI transmission. The IEA indicates this is the end of the current transmission.
"Control Numbers" are included in all header and trailer segments as an additional means of tracking and confirming EDI transmissions. Control numbers issued in the header segments must match control numbers assigned in the trailer segments. An ISA control number must match the IEA control number, the GS control number must match the GE control number, and the ST control number must match the SE control number in each EDI transmission, or there could possibly be errors. Control numbers are assigned within your EDI translation software when each EDI document is created.
The following is a brief diagram outlining the hierarchy of an EDI transmission. *ISA Interchange Control Header **GS Functional Group Header **ST Transaction Set Header Detail Segments (Quantity, UPC Terms, etc.) **SE Transaction Set Trailer **GE Functional Group Trailer *IEA Interchange Control Trailer *The ISA and IEA segments make up the Interchange Envelope. **The GS, GE, ST, and SE segments make up the Functional Group.
American National Standards Institute. Coordinator and clearing house for information on US standards.
The ANSI accredited standards committee for inter-industry. EDI standards for business transactions.
Data Interchange Standards Association. The secretariat of the X12 committee.
CAO Computer Automated Ordering
Continuous Replenishment Program
Dunn and Bradstreet.
Dunn and Bradstreet - Corporate Number.
Initiative to move EDI data transport to the Internet.
RBS Retail Business Services - Shared Service entity of Ahold USA and Delhaize America that provides support to all local brands.
Vendors utilizing EDI to electronically trade business documents.
UCC Uniform Code Council. Involved with development and maintenance of UCS standards. Assigns UCS identification numbers and UPC codes.
Uniform Communication Standard. EDI standard primarily used in grocery industry. Defines the message format and telecommunications for EDI.
Value Added Network.
VMI Vendor Managed Inventory.
ANSI standard for inter-industry EDI of business transactions.
Functional Acknowledgment (X.12 997).
Direct Store Delivery.
Scanned Based Trading