GLOSSARY

Most Common EDI Message Standards

Index

Remove the Stress of EDI Standards

Overview

Crucial to a supply chain business’s success is the ability to exchange documents with partners, suppliers, and manufacturers as efficiently as possible.

For that to be achieved, you must know which EDI messaging standard is the right one for the business transaction that you need to perform.

The following are three of the most common standards that play a pivotal role in facilitating smooth data communication between organisations and some of the transactions that are used within those standards.

EDIFACT

Electronic data interchange for administration, commerce and transport (EDIFACT) is a messaging standard that was first developed by the United Nations in 1987.

The following codes are the most commonly used in EDIFACT:

DELFOR

DELJIT

DESADV

INVOIC

ANSI X.12

Developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), X.12 provides a standardised format for the exchange of business documents electronically between trading partners.

It promotes automation, efficiency, and accuracy in business processes, reducing the need for manual data entry and improving overall supply chain management.

The following X.12 transactions are most commonly used:

862

The 862 just-in-time (JIT) message is used to request changes to a previously submitted purchase order. It provides a structured format for communicating modifications such as quantity changes, date changes, price adjustments, and other relevant details.

862 is essential for facilitating JIT for manufacturing as it provides customers with the ability to issue precise shipping schedule requirements on a frequent basis.

856

This code refers to the ship notice/manifest transaction set, also known as the advance ship notice (ASN).

The ASN contains vital information such as shipment identification, item descriptions, quantities, tracking numbers, carrier details, and other relevant data. By using the 856 transaction set, organisations can enhance visibility and accuracy in the supply chain by ensuring that the recipient is well-informed about incoming shipments.

997

810

This is the invoice transaction set that provides detailed information about an invoice for goods or services rendered.

It facilitates efficient payment processing, enables better tracking of accounts payable and receivable, and promotes seamless reconciliation between trading partners. By using the 810 transaction set, businesses can streamline their invoicing processes, improve accuracy in billing, and enhance financial visibility.

VDA

Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA) refers to a set of standards developed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry.

It was developed to facilitate the exchange of information between automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and other stakeholders in the industry.

The following codes are the most commonly used in VDA:

4905

4915

4987

4938

How an EDI Specialist Can Help

Navigating messaging standards and their t-sets can be challenging – especially for businesses that operate in multiple industries or locations.

Data Interchange has over 35 years of experience with EDI and specialises in global supply chains of any size and industry. But why choose us?

Whether you know your needs or not, we can tackle virtually all standards and communication protocols that your business requires.
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