EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is the paperless, partly automated electronic exchange of business data between companies or between parts of one company.
According to the business dictionary Gabler Wirtschaftslexikon (in German), EDI rests on uniform international standards. The data is structured to fit them, and EDI software converts a company's internal data into the standard message format and back again.
One of these standards is EDIFACT (Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport). According to the same dictionary, it was developed under the auspices of the United Nations so that commercial data for common business transactions, such as orders, invoices and delivery notes, could be exchanged in standard formats. EANCOM is another. GS1 Germany, the organisation that issues official product numbers (GTINs) in Germany, describes it as a global message standard for exchanging business data electronically across countries and industries. It was originally designed for the consumer goods industry and is now used in healthcare, logistics and e-commerce as well.
EDI is not our default route, but it is technically just as feasible: where another system works with EDI or with a manufacturer's own export format, we connect through that too.
Where the term appears
See also
-
API
An API (application programming interface) is a defined set of functions and rules that lets one piece of software use the features or data of another system or service.
Cross-cutting
-
Interface
An interface is the point at which two systems, programs or components meet and exchange data; the word also covers the user interface between a person and software.
Cross-cutting
-
SFTP
SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) transfers files securely over a Secure Shell (SSH) connection; despite the name, it is a separate protocol from the older FTP.
Cross-cutting
-
Pharma logistics
Pharma logistics is the term we use for storing, transporting and delivering medicinal products and other pharma-sector goods, such as promotional material and supplies for patients.
Pharma
Sources
-
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) (opens in a new tab)
Gabler Wirtschaftslexikon (Springer Gabler) accessed
-
EDIFACT (opens in a new tab)
Gabler Wirtschaftslexikon (Springer Gabler) accessed
-
EANCOM: EDI-Standard (opens in a new tab)
GS1 Germany accessed