Do you speak my Lingo? A users guide to EDI Jargon!

In a previous post we spoke about common EDI acronyms and what they stood for, now let’s take this one step further and highlight some commonly used EDI jargon terms and what they mean to you the end user.

EDI Standards - EDI standards are formats for EDI documents (transactions sets) that specify what information goes where within an EDI document. Usually your specific industry or trading partners will determine which EDI standard your organization must use. Examples of EDI standards include ANSI X12, EDIFACT, Tradacoms, Odette, oioUBL.

EDI transaction sets – EDI transaction sets are business documents such as purchase orders, invoices, inventory updates, shipping notices, etc.). The EDI transaction set is identified according to which EDI standard it belongs to. For example in the ANSI X12 standard, EDI transactions sets are given a unique 3 digit identifier whereas in the EDIFACT standard, the identifier is made up of groupings of letterings. In ANSI X12 a shipping notice is referred to as an 856 however in EDIFACT it is called a DESADV.

EDI Software – EDI software facilitates sending and receiving EDI transaction sets according to each trading partner’s unique business rules and requirements. The EDI transaction sets are translated and mapped into a form that a user can use, they can be either transported into a web based EDI type portal or they can be integrated directly into the users back end application such as an ERP, Accounting Package, OMS, WMS and so on. Also within the EDI software there should be a translator. The functionality of the translator is that it that converts EDI data into another format.

EDI Mapping – Converting the electronic transaction sets being sent by one system into the format required by the other system. It is the internal programing that changes the files and allows them to process through systems automatically.

GS1/UCC-128 Barcode Labels - A standard way of labelling packages that includes a scan able bar code label that contains the shipping information for the order and is placed on the outer box. Now known as GS1-128 labels, these were formerly known as UCC-128 labels.

Communication Protocol – Is the ability to connect two different computer systems and transfer the data between them. VAN, AS2 and FTP are some of the most popular methods used in EDI.

Value Added Network – Commonly referred to as a VAN is a network that hosts the exchange of EDI data. A VAN transports the data from one system to another.

EDI Standards Version – A segment that identifies a specific release of the ANSI X12 or EDIFACT standards that may be used by the trading partners. Commonly used versions include ANS! X12 version 4010, version 4030, version 5010 or EDIFACT version D96A.

Functional acknowledgement – An EDI transaction set that is sent by the receiver to the sender to let them know that the previous EDI transaction set was received. It may be referred to as an FA or 997 in ANSI X12 terms.

Trading Partner – A business with whom your organization trades or exchanges goods and/or services. For example if an organization was a wholesale distributor its trading partners may be Walmart, CVS, Amazon and a 3PL (third party logistics provider).

EDI Compliant - A client is capable of transmitting data electronic via an EDI provider and meets the standards and requirements for doing so.

For further information and on the various EDI jargon used please feel free to reach out to the B2BGateway sales team at +1 (401) 491 9595 / +353 61 708533 or email Sales@B2BGateway.Net

Tesco to introduce 'No ASN No Delivery' policy.

Tesco recently invited B2BGateway to a private presentation in their distribution centre at Didcot on the rollout of ASN’s (Advance Ship Notices) for all suppliers. Although Tesco introduced ASN’s as far back as 2007/2008, these were never fully addressed or regimented. That is all about to change as Tesco will be insisting that all suppliers will have to provide an ASN before delivery is accepted. Dave Ellis, Tesco End to End Supply Chain Manager, explained “If a suppliers delivery truck shows up at one of Tesco’s distribution centres without an ASN, it will be sent away again and no delivery will be accepted until such time as the driver returns with an ASN”.  Quite simply put: No ASN = No Delivery!

 

The ASN rollout will begin immediately and will be introduced over a phased basis. Tesco will contact all suppliers informing them of their ASN requirement and giving the supplier 12 weeks to comply with same. Suppliers in the fresh meat and poultry sectors will also have to add a country of origin section to their ASN. Having a regimented ASN policy will obviously give Tesco supply chain advantages, but it will also help suppliers as it will help them to get paid quicker with fewer disputes on quantities, weights etc.

 
If you require help with implementing Tesco’s new No ASN No Delivery policy please contact B2BGateway today on +353 61 708533 or email Sales@B2BGateway.Net

 

The essential components required for implementing and running a successful EDI operation.

 

To implement and run a successful end to end EDI communication with your trading partners, the following five components are essential:

 
EDI Translation Software: Although the concept of EDI was introduced to have a sole standard for the exchange of electronic data, overtime and across multiple market sectors, many different EDI standards have emerged such as ANSI X12 (predominantly used in North America), EDIFACT (Europe and Automotive sector), Tradacom (UK), Odette and much, much more. In fact within the same standard there are now multiple versions or upgrades, take ANSI X12 version 4010, version 4030 or version 5010 as an example. In order to deal successful and seamlessly with all these standards and versions within standards, it is essential that you have a robust EDI software translator in place.
 
Data Mapping: Data mapping is the converting of 0information from one location to another. In EDI, data mapping converts a user’s application data into the required EDI file format, and vice versa. Mapping outbound data involves establishing what information from the ERP or accounting software goes where in an EDI file. The data must be properly arranged and formatted so that it conforms to both the EDI standard required and the trading partner’s rules and regulations.
 
Communication Network: The EDI transaction sets can be transported between trading partners over numerous different methods such as a VAN (Value added Network), AS2, FTP, FTPs, etc. When trading with multiple customers, you will probably need the ability to handle all of the aforementioned communication protocols as different organizations will use different protocols.
 
Integration: Although there are some stand-alone EDI systems that may suit very small operations or seasonal companies, in order to get the best ROI out of using EDI, any organization should integrate their EDI solution with their back end ERP/Accounting Software/OMS, for example QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage, SAP, Aptean, Microsoft Dynamics, Brightpearl, Acumatica, etc.. Integration with back end software removes the need to re-key data, thus providing further automation and reducing errors.
 
Support: It is one thing to get a good EDI system in place, but yet quite another to make sure that that system runs smoothly 24/7. Any system that does not run 24/7 or is prone to hiccups could be costing your organization new orders and therefore costing you lost income. Having good support will also keep your organization functioning seamlessly as trading partners require system upgrades or new EDI transaction sets to be introduced.
 
B2BGateway is a full service EDI provider and handles all of the vital components listed above on behalf of thousands of clients worldwide on a daily basis. If you would like to know more about B2BGateway’s full service EDI and automated EDI solutions, please call +1 401 491 9595 (North America)  / +353 61 708533 (Europe) or email Sales@B2BGateway.Net

NHS adopts PEPPOL standards to enable eProcurement with Suppliers.

The NHS (National Health Service) in England recently announced the NHS eProcurement strategy, establishing actions to improve NHS data and information, requiring the use of PEPPOL specifications throughout the healthcare sector for eOrdering, eInvoicing and Advanced Shipping Notifications (ASNs).

PEPPOL stands for “Pan-European Public Procurement On-Line”. PEPPOL is a large scale pilot project that was initiated by the European Commission and is designed to facilitate electronic procurement (including e-invoicing) in Europe. PEPPOL makes e-Procurement easy as it provides a solid infrastructure for exchanging e-business information based on standards for electronic messaging.

One of the four publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom, the NHS in England provides healthcare to every legal resident in England, with most services free at the point of use. For 2014/15, the NHS England revenue budget is set at around £110 billion (US $188 bn).

The NHS eProcurement strategy is part of the Procurement Efficiency Programme. This programme sets out the actions to help the NHS save £1.5 billion by the end of the financial year 2015-2016. The new NHS eProcurement strategy will adopt PEPPOL data standards as well as GS1 barcoding standards.

GS1 is an international not-for-profit association with Member Organisations in over 100 countries. GS1 is dedicated to the design and implementation of global standards and solutions to improve the efficiency and visibility of supply and demand chains globally and across sectors. The GS1 system of standards is the most widely used supply chain standards system in the world.

If you would like to know more about the PEPPOL standards or if you trade with the NHS, please contact B2BGateway (an approved OpenPEPPOL provider) on +353 61 708533 or email Sales@B2BGateway.Net for further details.

Webinar July 09 at 1pm EST: Integrate your eCommerce Platform with your Accounting Software or ERP

Do you use an eCommerce Platform such as Magento, 3dcart, Shopify, Volusion, etc. to run your Online Shopping Cart?

Would you like to learn how to integrate your eCommerce platform to your Accounting Software / ERP system? (QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP, Microsost Dynamics, etc.)

Regiester today to learn how to:

• Use B2BGateway's fully-integrated EDI solutions to pull orders from your online shopping cart and populate them as sales orders in your accounting package or ERP system without rekeying any data!
• Keep your online site up to date with inventory updates.
• Connect and communicate seamlessly with 3PLs and outsourced warehouses or shipping companies.

We'll have a 'questions and answers' segment at the end for any specific question that might not have been covered in the Webinar. Please click the link below to register we hope to see you on July 9th!

Register here http://bit.ly/1yU0idk

DSD (Direct Store Delivery) and EDI

Many items that are date sensitive, or have limited shelf lives are delivered directly to the retailer store locations, by the supplier, as opposed to being shipped through the retailer’s warehouse. This method of delivery is often referred to as Direct Store Delivery (DSD). Some suppliers who use this method are organizations that deliver bread, milk, soda or any other perishable items. Direct Store Delivery (DSD) transactions allow suppliers to get their product on retailers’ shelves as quickly as possible, bypassing the retailers distribution centers.

 
Due to short life guidelines, it is common for over thirty percent of a retail grocers produce to be brought to store via DSD. In convenience and drug stores, over half of merchandise may be directly delivered. Using EDI to automate the DSD process can relieve congestion at the retailer’s back door and reduce check-in times.
 
EDI 850 Purchase Orders are not usually sent to DSD suppliers.  In some cases sales reports may be sent by the store through EDI 852 (Point of Sale Activity Data) or it the EDI 882 transaction set may also be used.  The EDI 882 transaction set is used to summarize detailed delivery, return and adjustment information which was previously reconciled at time of delivery in a retail direct store delivery environment, and also to request payment for the products delivered. This transaction set will provide only a summary of direct store deliveries and adjustments without product detail.
 
More commonly, product deliveries are scheduled based on monitoring of the in-store inventory by either the supplier or the store manager. Invoices are still required and are typically sent through EDI 810 transactions. The EDI 810 invoices must adhere to each retailers specific requirements, data standards and communication protocols.
 
For further information on handling EDI in a DSD environment please call B2BGateway on +1 (401) 491 9595 or email Sales@B2BGateway.Net

B2BGateway and Brightpearl announce EDI partnership

B2BGateway, the leading global EDI solution provider, and Brightpearl, a cloud based retail management system announce a strategic partnership to deliver fully integrated, cloud based EDI solutions to Brightpearl users.
 
Brightpearl is a multi-channel retail management system that helps the user manage the heart of their business – bringing together orders, inventory, customer data, accounting and reporting together in one place. Brightpearl handles the scale and complexity of a growing multi-channel retail business. It enables all the parts of any organization to work together. As a cloud based system, Brightpearl is accessible anywhere, anytime.
 
As EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) has become best business practice in retail, B2BGateway is a natural fit for Brightpearl customers that require a fully integrated, efficient, cost-effective EDI solution. B2BGateway offers Brightpearl users years of experience and an outstanding reputation achieving the highest client satisfaction rating in a number of different industry verticals.
 
For further information on how B2BGateway’s EDI solutions integrate with Brightpearl and further automate your supply chain solution please call +1 401 491 9595 / +353 61 708533 or email Sales@B2BGateway.Net