What is EDI?
EDI, or Electronic Data Interchange, is a method of exchanging common business information using standardized document formats. These document formats, or "sets", are recognized nationally and internationally by all businesses that use EDI. Some of the most common EDI sets include: purchase orders, invoices and acknowledgements. EDI sets exist for just about every type of business transaction.
What are the benefits of EDI?
Since EDI is an electronic transfer of information from one business to another, paper documents are eliminated. For example, you can transmit a purchase order directly from your computer to United Sugars. This transfer takes only minutes and eliminates the need to re-type the information into another computer. Typically, once we receive your EDI purchase order, an order acknowledgement is sent back to you verifying receipt of the order. EDI can eliminate the need for any paper document or phone call to be exchanged, thus reducing costs, time and errors.
How does EDI work?
E-Commerce Two tools are necessary to use EDI: (1) EDI Software, and (2) Value Added Network (VAN) or Internet access (AS2).
EDI software is available for every computer type, from PCs to mainframes. Once the software is in place, the information is transmitted either through a VAN or over the Internet. In the case of a VAN, the VAN serves as a post office, routing EDI documents between us. Internet EDI (AS2) is a new and less expensive communication alternative to using a VAN.
United Sugars' EDI is currently set up to handle the following transaction sets:
A. Purchase Orders - 850, 875
B. Purchase Order Acknowledgements - 855
C. Purchase Order Changes - 860
D. Invoices - 810, 880
E. Advance Shipping Notices - 856
F. Application Advice - 824
G. Functional Acknowledgement - 997
We will be happy to discuss other transaction sets.
How do I get started?
Your Sales Manager or your Customer Service Representative can put you in contact with United Sugars' EDI Support Team to discuss specific needs and requirements.
