SET UP, RECEIVE AND SEND EDI

• Set up VAN, FTP, SFTP or AS2 connection with your trading partner
• Conduct connectivity/mapping testing if required by trading partner
• Design UCC-128 or GS-1 shipping container label (if required by trading partner)
• Inbound/outbound EDI documents from and to trading partner
• Translate inbound EDI documents to format mutually agreed with you
• Translate outbound documents from your format to EDI and transmit to trading partner
• Send/receive EDI997 Functional Acknowledgment for every document received or sent
• Document tracking on web accessible by desktop, laptop, tablet or smart phone

WAREHOUSE AND 3RD LOGISTICS (3PL) DOCUMENTS

• Create EDI 940 Warehouse Shipping Order/transmit to WH or 3PL
• Receive EDI 945 Warehouse Shipping Advise from your WH or 3PL
• Auto-generate EDI 945, pick ticket, packing slip when packing structure is pre-determined by UPC
• Web-based tracking of shipments on all devices

INTEGRATION OF EDI DATA WITH YOUR SYSTEM

• API, File Exchange, Web Service data transfer
• Conversion from EDI to and from proprietary format
• Integration with certain popular accounting systems

ADVANCE SHIP NOTICE (ASN) W/SHIPPING CONTAINER LABELS, AUTO-INVOICING

• EDI 850 PO data prefilled in EDI 856 ASN Web Form for you to complete for Pick-and-Pack
• EDI 850 PO to auto-generated EDI 856 ASN when packing structure is pre-determined by UPC
• Downloadable UCC-128 or GS-1 shipping container labels generated
• EDI 810 Invoice auto-generated when EDI 856 ASN is sent
• Color coded alert system based on PO ship-date range when provided by buyer
• Auto-email alert notification options available

COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE TO/FROM TRADING PARTNERS

• Value Added Network (VAN)
• FTP or SFTP
• AS2
• Per document, per kilo character or flat monthly rate

OTHER CUSTOM SERVICES

• FAX or PDF-to-EDI manual key-enter for manufacturers, hubs and service bureaus
• Email-to-EDI automated transformation of attached data files
• System design and programming to meet your specific needs

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The Basics of EDI

In EDI, information is organized according to a standard format. North American Standards are known as ANSI standards, while International EDI standards are known as EDIFACT standards. Each year these standards are reviewed and updated to accommodate new business and ensure accuracy. The process of using EDI is straight forward: a standard document (mutually agreed upon) is translated into a specific format and sent (or received) via a secure communication (data transport) method. The data is broken into smaller segments depending on the type of business you are involved with. The ANSI standard format covers all industries with approximately 500 different document types.

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EDI Glossary of Terms

INTERCHANGE ID:

• A unique number that identifies you (versus your trading partner). Typically, this is assigned by your trading partner or Network service.

NETWORK:

• Another name for communications of data transport. Your data (a.k.a. document) travels over the internet to the company you are trading with.

DOCUMENT TYPES:

• Established by ASC X12. An example of a document type number is 810, which in business language refers to a standard Invoice.

ANSI:

• Established in 1918. The American National Standards Institute’s mission is “to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity.”

COMMUNICATION / DATA TRANSPORT:

• EDI is transported via a number of communication options. The choice of which form of data transport is used tends to be driven by the Hub. A Hub example are companies like Walmart, JC Penny, Home Depot or a government agency. Always check with your trading partner (Hub) to see what forms of communication they accept. If you have a number of trading partner relationships, analyze your best ROI (return on investment) across the board.

VALUE ADDED NETWORKS (VANS):

• The traditional mode of data transport. The primary benefit VANs offer is to monitor transmissions and resend data upon your request. The down side is that a VAN service may be costly. VAN service setup times tend to be 48 -72 hours. Configuration can be easily accomplished by a person with limited IT savvy.

TRADING PARTNER OR HUB:

• The company with whom you are exchanging documents.

AS2:

• EDI over the Internet (EDIINT) is very popular these days. The benefits include a lower cost and reliable data. The challenges include a need to set up an open / persistent connection in your fire wall, as AS2 is “always listening”. This configuration needs to be completed by someone with IT experience. There are annual costs for the software but overall it is more cost effective than a traditional VAN. Some VAN’s will offer AS2 and FTP as part of their services. Depending on the number of trading partner relationship and the amount of data you are sending, a VAN might be the way to go. We advise you to be a smart shopper and weigh your options.

FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL (FTP):

• An excellent choice for communication. FTP is simple to setup, data is clean and error messages are clear. For example: if there is a failure in connecting. The one time setup costs are minimal.

EDI E-MAIL:

• Can be use by Qualedi Software as well. Like FTP one time setup and costs make this an excellent option.

SFTP SECURE FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL:

• A network protocol that provides file access, file transfer, and file management functionalities over any reliable data stream.

WEB SERVICE:

• A method of communication that allows two software systems to exchange data data over the internet.

EDI 858:

• This X12 Transaction Set contains the format and establishes the data contents of the Shipment Information (858) for use within the context of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).