EDI — electronic data interchange, explained term by term

The EDI standards and messages you need for retailers: EDIFACT, ANSI X12, ORDERS, DESADV, INVOIC, AS2, OFTP2, EDI mapping — with examples.

What this cluster covers

EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is the language suppliers and retailers use to exchange orders, dispatch advices and invoices automatically. The terms below cover the standards (EDIFACT, ANSI X12), message types and transport protocols.

Nearly every large retailer mandates EDI contractually. Each definition includes a practical example and links to Azuvio EDI software.

16 terms in this cluster

EDIFACT (UN/EDIFACT) — The UN international standard for EDI messages, dominant in Europe for B2B commercial document exchange.
ANSI X12 — The dominant EDI standard in North America, used for commercial document exchange between B2B partners.
ORDERS (EDI purchase order) — The EDIFACT message by which a buyer electronically transmits a purchase order to a supplier.
ORDRSP (order response) — The EDIFACT message by which a supplier confirms, changes or rejects an order received from a buyer.
RECADV (receiving advice) — The EDIFACT message by which the recipient confirms the quantities actually received from a delivery.
DELFOR / DELJIT (delivery schedules) — EDIFACT messages for communicating delivery forecasts and just-in-time calls, typical in automotive and manufacturing.
PRICAT (EDI price catalogue) — The EDIFACT message by which a supplier sends the retailer its product and price catalogue, synced electronically.
INVRPT / SLSRPT (inventory and sales reports) — EDIFACT messages by which a retailer reports stock and sales per product to the supplier, essential for VMI.
REMADV (remittance advice) — The EDIFACT message by which the payer states which invoices it is paying and with what adjustments, for automatic reconciliation.
AS2 (EDI transmission protocol) — A secure protocol for transmitting EDI messages directly over the internet, with encryption and delivery receipt (MDN).
OFTP2 (Odette File Transfer Protocol) — The standard EDI transmission protocol in the European automotive industry, for secure file exchange over the internet.
VAN / SFTP (EDI transmission networks) — Methods of transporting EDI messages: VAN (value-added intermediary network) and SFTP (secure file transfer).
EDI mapping — Translating between the standard EDI message structure and your ERP's data format, for automatic processing.
EDI partner onboarding — The process of connecting EDI with a new trading partner: mapping, transport setup and end-to-end testing.
EDI vs e-Invoice — The difference between EDI (the whole B2B commercial cycle) and e-Invoice (only the fiscal invoice sent to the state via the portal).
Retailer EDI compliance — The set of technical and operational requirements a retailer imposes on suppliers for EDI exchange, whose breach triggers penalties.