Programs & Requirements
 - EDI Manual
 - EDI Specifications

Getting Started
 - EDI Transaction Info 

Software Providers
 - EDI 
 - VMI

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Quick Reference

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.

 

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• Using EDI will allow you to reduce the amount of paperwork created for orders, invoices, etc.
• EDI data can be stored on tape or diskettes, thus reducing the amount of physical storage space needed for your current transactions (orders, invoices, etc.).
• EDI provides you with the means to eliminate duplicate entry of data. This will lead to streamlined processes and reduce the errors that can result from re-entry of data.
• EDI will allow you to increase business volume without increasing your staff by reducing the amount of manual or redundant tasks performed in the processing of a business document.
• All of the above benefits lead to reduced costs. The end result of these reduced costs is lower prices and increased sales.

 

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• An EDI Standard is made up of multiple business documents, each containing information in a specified layout within each document. Sections of the EDI document, referred to as Segments or Elements, can be Required or Optional. If used, they must appear in the order designated by the Standards Committee for the chosen EDI document.
• The company has chosen the ANSI X.12 standard for EDI translation. ANSI X.12 allows the company and our trading partners to support not just grocery EDI documents, but also financial, pharmaceutical, and transportation industry documents.
• The company currently sends and receives ANSI X.12 standard EDI documents for Version 5010. Please contact our eBusiness team if you have any questions on the EDI document you wish to send/receive.

 

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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.

• Computer processor
  Software is available for mainframes, midrange processors, and PC's. Consult your current supplier for more information.
• Communications card, board, or port
  This depends on whether you will be communicating ASYNC (asynchronously), BSC (bisynchronously), or SDLC (synchronously).
• Communications cable
  This connects your modem to the communications port. It may not be needed if you have an internal modem.
• Modem
  The modem depends on the communication interface.
• Modem cable
  This is a power cord for the modem and a telephone cable to connect the modem to the phone jack.
• Dial or leased line connection
  Use existing telephone jacks, or a dial jack dedicated for data. Dedicate a data line or multi-dropped line for leased line attachments.
   

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The software you choose should allow you to:

• Create the EDI documents you need to create in the standard and version you need to support
• Provide yourself with a readable document that you can use on your computer system
• Maintain a database for storing your EDI documents and EDI trading partner information
• Send and receive EDI documents to your EDI trading partners at any time  

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.

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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:

• Cutting communications costs dramatically by eliminating VAN Charges
• Speeding and securing traditional supply chain transactions (e.g., purchase orders, invoices, advance ship notices, etc.)
• Faster and more efficient product delivery by connecting with large and small partners
• Ensuring products are ordered and delivered in real time to fulfill demands
• Improving Item/Data Synchronization

To obtain our AS2 profile and security certificate please fill out the request form under the "Contact Us" tab.

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• EDI documents transmitted by our company must be confirmed using X.12 997 Functional Acknowledgment
• Purchase Orders must be confirmed by 2:00PM next business day after transmitted by our company
• Daily inventory totals (852) must be confirmed by 2:00PM next business day after transmitted by our company

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• Our eBusiness Specialist Department
  eBusiness Specialist Department responsibilities:
  Provide overall project management and eBusiness Specialist support for the trading partners.
• Vendors/Trading Partners
  Vendors and trading partners responsibilities:
  Implement EDI with our company.
• Transport Methods
  EDIINT Certified Solution Provider Drummond Group EDIINT certified software is required.

 

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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.

1. If you are having a problem with your EDIINT solution or the VAN, contact the appropriate party for support.
2. Report any EDI format or transmission issues to our eBusiness Specialist team.
3. If you have any questions concerning EDI data content, please contact your Delhaize America Inventory Analyst or Category Manager.

 

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Backup Procedures

 

• In the event of an extended system failure at our company, Purchase Orders will be faxed/telephoned to the suppliers.
• If it is determined the system failure can be corrected promptly, our company will hold documents until the system is operational and resume normal operation schedule as soon as possible.

 

Error Recovery

 

• Should a trading partner have a system failure, notify our eBusiness Specialist team.
• If transmission is still unsuccessful, report the problem as outlined above.

 

Security

 

• If security is compromised, notify our company of the occurrence.

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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.

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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.

Header Segments

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).

Trailer Segments

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

"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.

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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.

 

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ANSI

American National Standards Institute. Coordinator and clearing house for information on US standards.

 

ANSI X12 or ASCX12

The ANSI accredited standards committee for inter-industry. EDI standards for business transactions.

 

DISA

Data Interchange Standards Association. The secretariat of the X12 committee.

 

CRP

Continuous Replenishment Program

 

D & B

Dunn and Bradstreet.

 

DUNS

Dunn and Bradstreet - Corporate Number.

 

EDIINT

Initiative to move EDI data transport to the Internet.

 

Trading Partner

Vendors utilizing EDI to electronically trade business documents.

 

VAN

Value Added Network.

 

UCC

Uniform Code Council. Involved with development and maintenance of UCS standards. Assigns UCS identification numbers and UPC codes.

 

UCS

Uniform Communication Standard. EDI standard primarily used in grocery industry. Defines the message format and telecommunications for EDI.

 

X12

ANSI standard for inter-industry EDI of business transactions.

 

FA

Functional Acknowledgment (X.12 997).

 

DSD

Direct Store Delivery.

 

SBT

Scanned Based Trading

 

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