What is EDI?
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a set of public standards that makes the exchange of business data between computers possible. By eliminating the need to re-key data, saving time, and minimizing the potential for error, creating an electronic transaction link can produce multiple benefits for a business.
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What are the benefits of EDI?
EDI replaces paper transactions with electronic transmissions, saving time and money for businesses who use this standard.

Some of the benefits of implementing EDI include:
  • the ability to exchange data at any time
  • significant reductions in business expenses, such as postage, printing, phone calls, and handling
  • facilitation of financial processes, such as electronic payments
  • streamlining the business cycle leading to improved relationships between trading partners
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What are the benefits of EDI integration?
Because EDI facilitates the digital exchange of business documents, most if not all of the associated business processes (such as data entry and verification) can be automated so that they occur with little or no manual intervention. As such, key benefits of integration include the reduction or elimination of data entry errors and transaction processing that is more expeditious and streamlined.
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What parts of the business cycle can be supported by EDI?
Most currently exchanged paper business documents can be supported by EDI. Please visit the EDI Transaction Standards page for the complete list.
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Who can use EDI?
Any company that buys or sells goods or services can use EDI. Commercial translation software, such as TrueCommerce Integrator, is readily available to enable any company to exchange business documents regardless of their business and accounting systems.
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What are the EDI standards?
The standards that exist for electronic documents define a wide variety of paper-based communications. Standards, such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) X12 and EDIFACT, are developed through a consensus process across a wide spectrum of industries. ANSI X12 is primarily used in North America while EDIFACT is used in Europe and Asia.
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What do the EDI standards do?
The EDI standards are like a language, with rules and specific structures providing formats to exchange data.
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What versions are there of ANSI X12?
Examples of ANSI X12 versions are 3060, 4010 (the most popular), 4030, and 4050. A standards committee meets regularly to review the current version, and to make any necessary changes based on industry needs. Changes may include formatting and creating specifications for additional transactions.
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Which industries are using EDI?
EDI is commonly used in the retail, automotive, grocery, electronics, freight, and banking industries. The U.S. government also uses EDI extensively.
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Should my company use EDI?
EDI offers many potential benefits. EDI is a productivity tool that can be beneficial to both vendors and customers. As a service to customers it is often viewed as an indicator of technical ability.
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What software and hardware do you need to implement EDI?
Translation software, such as TrueCommerce Integrator, translates business documents into a standardized format that complies with ANSI X12, using only a PC with a standard Internet connection.
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What is the process for implementing EDI?
EDI is implemented after one company contacts another expressing interest in trading business documents electronically.

Once a decision has been made to implement EDI within your company, you will:
  • establish a plan and allocate resources for implementation
  • select EDI translation software
  • establish an email account and an Internet link
  • install and set up the translation software
  • decide whether to integrate with your business or accounting system
  • complete testing with your trading partners
  • start sending EDI transactions back and forth with your trading partners
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What is the availability of TC.Net at TrueCommerce?
TC.Net runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. You can send and receive EDI transactions any time.
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Where can I find a list of the EDI transaction codes?
An extensive list can be found on this page.
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Who will I contact at TrueCommerce once we are ready to implement EDI?
Contact our sales representatives at 1-888-818-9160.
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