Demystifying EDI: An introduction to File-Based Data Exchange
In file-based integrations, information exchange between systems occurs through shared files. For effective information exchange, both systems must understand the file format and contents.
For integration, formats like XML and JSON can be used, which require a pre-defined format agreed upon by both parties. Alternatively, files created with internationally accepted standards such as Edifact, X12, or HL7 can be used.
We will delve deeper into the Edifact standard. Let’s start with the definition.
The United Nations/Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport (UN/EDIFACT) is an international standard for electronic data interchange (EDI) developed for the United Nations and approved and published by UNECE, the UN Economic Commission for Europe. (1)
Since the standard is updated periodically, it has different versions.
The standard defines various predefined message types for specific purposes.
Auxiliary applications and sites can make understanding Edifact content easier.
The free r2ediviewer allows users to visualize the structure of an EDI file based on the Edifact standard.
Here are some sample links that can help you understand the standard content:
- Versions: https://www.truugo.com/edifact/
- Message Types: https://www.truugo.com/edifact/d21a/
- Orders Message Fields: https://www.truugo.com/edifact/d21a/orders/
An example EDIFACT message content of the Orders message type in the 2001b version
UNA:+.? '
UNB+UNOC:2+0847976000005:14+0847976000006:14+240212:1220+00519085++ORDERSFF'
UNH+04033754+ORDERS:D:01B:UN:EAN010'
BGM+220+123456789_1+5+AC'
DTM+137:20240212:102'
FTX+PUR+4+012::92+B2C_SALE'
RFF+CR:123456789'
RFF+ON:123456789'
RFF+ZZZ:BE'
NAD+SU+0847976000006::9'
NAD+BY+4335347124048::9'
NAD+PO+1241'
NAD+UC++Name::Surname+Name Surname+Street Address 24C+CityName++99999+BE'
CTA+OC'
COM+?+19998887766:AL'
COM+namesurname@gmail.com:EM'
CUX+2:EUR:9'
DTM+10:20240212130753:204'
LIN+1++8806091646477:SRV'
PIA+1+10001:IN'
IMD+F++:::LG Gamer UltraGear 24" Full-HD 165 Hz'
QTY+21:1:PCE'
PRI+AAB:142.99:::1:PCE'
UNS+S'
CNT+2:1'
UNT+26+04033754'
UNZ+6+00519085'Let’s examine sample EDI file segments
EDI files can be transformed into other formats with applications like Altova Mapforce. The application can be used free of charge with a 30-day trial license.
You can review the contents of the files to be used in the integration as shared in the example above. They can also help you create the EDI content you need to send.
Explore the resources provided and delve deeper into file-based integrations to unlock the potential of streamlined data exchange for your business needs.
Links
(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EDIFACT
(2) https://unece.org/trade/uncefact/mainstandards
(3) https://r2ediviewer.de/indexEN.html
(4) https://www.truugo.com/edifact/
(5) https://www.altova.com/mapforce#EDI
