EDI Mapping standards
EDI incorporates standard layouts for all business documents. However, there are different standards available. The decision as to which standard to adopt is usually determined by what is already in general use within your business sector and by mutual agreement with your trading partner.
There are four main technical standards:
UN/EDIFACT - The main standard supported by the UN
ANSI X12 - Common in USA, Canada and Australia
TRADACOMS - Predominantly used in the UK
ODETTE - Developed in the UK for the motor industry.
Each standards body publishes definitions of the documents, which may be exchanged electronically. An EDI message represents common business documents and its definition specifies the content and sequence of the data to be included.
EDI standards have been the dominant format for eCommerce data exchange for decades, and give organizations a fast and accurate method of transmitting transaction data without the need for human interaction. However, as a message transmission paradigm, EDI is source format and system agnostic, and requires translation and purposing for delivery to proprietary systems at its final destination. The reality is that EDI predates prevalent integrated business technologies – such as ERP, CRM, many database formats and other supply chain enabling technologies – making data transformation an important part of any EDI implementation
Traditional EDI has long been the criterion for exchanging business transaction documents between trading partners including purchase orders, invoices and shipping notices. There is significant value for both parties involved in the transaction, including:
Enhancing the speed of processing transactions by removing manual procedures and automating connectivity. Increasing the accuracy of exchanged documents by removing error-prone rekeying of documents previously received by fax, phone, or mail. Reducing the cost of business and lowering inventory overhead costs by accelerating the processing of purchase orders and invoices. Increasing productivity of office staff, allowing additional time for more profitable tasks.