Frequently
Asked Questions
What
is EDI?
What
is UN/EDIFACT?
Is
EANCOM® different from UN/EDIFACT?
How do I start EDI?
Can I adapt the standard
with my trading partners the way I decide ?
How do I send the
messages once I have translated them
?
More
questions ? Mail
Us
What
is EDI ?
EDI
stands for Electronic Data Interchange, a common and useful definition
for EDI is “the transfer of structured data, by agreed message standards,
from one computer application to another by electronic means and
with a minimum of human intervention”.
What is UN/EDIFACT ?
UN/EDIFACT
or United Nations Electronic Data Interchange for Administration,
Commerce and Transport comprises a set of internationally agreed
standards, directories and guidelines for the electronic interchange
of data. In other words, the communication language between computers.
It
took shape within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
(UN/ECE) in the working Party for the Facilitation of International
Trade (WP.4) and was approved as ISO standard 9735 in 1988.
Is
EANCOM® different from UN/EDIFACT ?
EANCOM®
is a detailed implementation guideline of the UN/EDIFACT standard
messages.
UN/EDIFACT
messages are often complex and users may easily misunderstand the
principles and original intentions of messages' designers. EANCOM®
guideline is a subset of UN/EDIFACT messages, it provides clear
definitions, explanations and examples which allow trading partners
to exchange commercial documents in a simple, accurate and cost
effective manner.
How
do I start EDI ?
A
few steps are necessary to start EDI efficiently, they are as follows:
1)
Obtain commitment from upper management for EDI
2)
Contact the EAN numbering
organisation in your country or EAN International
3)
Select an EDI champion (person or team in charge of the project)
4)
Carry out a feasibility study
5)
Make an Operational Evaluation:
*
Internal process
*
Design and development of EDI process
*
Identifying trading partners
6)
Draft a strategic plan and carry out pilot test
*
Operational (Interchange) agreement
7)
Expand the project to all business partners
Can
I adapt the standard with my trading partners the way I decide ?
One
of the major conditions for a successful implementation of the EDI
is adherence to the standard used. Adaptations reducing the functionality
of an EDI standard to suit individual needs is possible so long
as additional functionalities which do not exist in the standard
are not added. In general, EAN would recommend that reductions in
functionality be carried out where possible on an industry level
to reduce the number of adaptations which must be catered for to
a minimum.
How
do I send the messages once I have translated them ?
Communications
within EDI covers the transmission of information which includes
the physical transmission of data, the hardware and software components
required to support the data communication, procedures for detecting
and recovering for errors, etc.
Trading
partners have a variety of options to exchange information either
through physical media such as tapes or diskettes or via telecommunications
link. The recommended option is the telecommunications link and
following are the most commonly used:
*
Point to point private leased lines
*
Public telephone Networks
*
Public packet switched Networks - X.25
*
X.400
*
Value Added Network (VAN)
VANs
are the most popular mean of communications for cost efficiency
and security. It works as a post office from where messages are
sent, received and stored in the client P.O. Box.
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