EDI Glossary Of Terms

• Accredited Standards Committee X12:
  The national standards body for the United States. ANSI, through its accredited standards committees, keeps the standards for all applications of technology and mechanics for U.S. industry.
• ANSI:
  (see American National Standards Institute) Acronym for American National Standards Institute, which is the organization that acts as coordinator and clearing house for information on national standards, including EDI.
• ANSI ASC X12:
  Acronym for the American National Standards Institute, Accredited Standards Committee X12. Also referred to simply as ANSI X12 or the X12 format, ANSI ASC X12 is the most common EDI standard used in North America.
• API:
  Acronym for Application Program Interface, which is middleware provided by a software publisher that enables software created by other software publishers to integrate with their application.
• Application Software:
  Software used to perform job functions that are specific to the business environment (e.g. inventory, health claims adjudication, etc.).
• AS1:
  AS1 (Applicability Statement 1) is a specification for transporting data securely and reliably over the Internet using Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) as the communications protocol. SMTP is the de facto standard for exchanging e-mail transmissions across the Internet. Security is achieved by using digital certificates and encryption.
• AS2:
  AS2 (Applicability Statement 2) is a specification for transporting data securely and reliably over the Internet using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) as the communications protocol. Security is achieved by using digital certificates and encryption.
• AS3:
  AS3 (Applicability Statement 3) is a specification for transporting data securely and reliably over the Inernet using File Transfer Protocol (FTP) as the communications protocol. Security is achieved by using digital certificates and encryption.
• ASC:
  Acronym for Accredited Standards Committee, which is a team that has been chartered by ANSI to develop a specific set of standards.
• ASCII:
  American Standard Code for Information Interchange
• ASN:
  An Advanced Ship Notice, or ASN, is also known as the 856 transaction in EDI parlance. ASNs indicate when a shipment was sent, the carrier used to ship it, and how it was packed.
• Authentication:
  A query method that ensures that both the sender and receiver of an electronic message are valid and are authorized to transmit and receive the message.

• Barcode:
  A barcode (also bar code) is a machine-readable representation of information. Originally barcodes stored data in the widths and spacings of printed parallel lines, but today they also come in patterns of dots, concentric circles, and text codes hidden within images. Barcodes can be read by optical scanners called barcode readers.
• BOM:
  Bill of materials (BOM) is the term used to describe the "parts list" of components needed to complete an end-item for sale.
• BSP:
  A Business System Plug-in (BSP) is a TrueCommerce software module that "maps" or arranges the data structure of EDI transactions so that they may be imported into and exported out of an accounting software application in an automated fashion.

• Communications:
  The means of electronically linking two computers to exchange information in EDI.
  Communication Protocol:
  Establishes the communication parameters between two computers. Includes baud rate, type of transmission and parity setting.
• Compliance Checking:
  A validation check to ensure that a transmission contains the minimum mandatory information required by the EDI standard being used.
• Connectivity:
  The ability to make and maintain a connection between two or more points in a telecommunications system. The typical mechanism for establishing connectivity in an EDI system is a Value Added Network (VAN).
• CSD:
  Computer Services Division
• CSV file:
  The comma-separated values (CSV) file format is a file type that stores tabular data using the comma symbol to distinguish between different values.
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• Data Dictionary:

  A listing of all the data elements, and sometimes the segments and messages, unique to the EDI Standards that are being used.

• Data Element:

  The smallest unit of information in an EDI transaction set, such as quantity or ZIP code. Data elements combine to make data segments.

• Data Element, Composite:

  Two or more related data items separated by a delimiter character, grouped together to form a unit or piece of information as defined in the data dictionary of an EDI Standard and contained in an EDI message or transaction set.

• Data Segment EDI:

  A line of information in an EDI message. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a set of standards for structuring information that is to be electronically exchanged between businesses via application-to-application communication. The term EDI refers to the implementation and operation of systems and processes for creating, transmitting, and receiving EDI documents that emulate business transactions such as purchase orders and invoices. EDI has been in use for nearly three decades and is the data format used for the vast majority of the world's business-to-business electronic commerce transactions.

• Delimiter:

  A special character used to separate fields of data. The three different delimiters used in an EDI file are the segment delimiter, the element delimiter and the sub-element delimiter.

• DISA:

  Data Interchange Standards Association. This is the trade organization that acts as secretariat for ANSI ASC-X12 and the Pan-American EDIFACT Board in the United States.

• Download:

  The process of receiving data from another computer at a remote site onto the computer under the control of the operator.

• DUNS Number:

  A nine-digit number assigned and maintained by Dun & Bradstreet to identify unique business establishments. DUNS numbers are assigned worldwide and include US, Canadian and international organizations.

• EDI:

  The standard abbreviation for Electronic Data Interchange. Electronic Data Interchange is the computer-to-computer exchange of business-related documents in a structured, machine processable format

• EAN:

  A European Article Number (EAN) is a barcoding standard which is a superset of the original 12-digit Universal Product Code (UPC) system developed in North America.

• EDIFACT:

  United Nations/Electronic Data Interchange For Administration, Commerce, and Transport (UN/EDIFACT or EDIFACT) is the international EDI standard developed under the United Nations.

• Electronic Data Interchange:

  The computer-to-computer transfer of business transaction information using standard, industry accepted, message formats.

• Envelope:

  The combination of header, trailer and sometimes other control segments that define the start and end of an individual EDI message.

• EPP:

  An Electronic Partner Plug-in (EPP) is a TrueCommerce software module that "maps" or arranges the data structure of EDI transactions as required to automate exchanging data with a trading partner's EDI system. The EPP "tells" the TrueCommerce system which transactions are supported by a particular trading partner, how the data should be formatted, and what data is required on transactions that are sent to the trading partner. Each EPP is for a specific trading partner and includes the data mappings for all transactions that are required by that trading partner.

• ELP:

  The Electronic Label Plug-in (ELP) is a TrueCommerce software module that automates printing barcode labels.

• Flat File:

  A computer file where all the information is run together in a single character string. Sometimes referred to as an interface file, designed to hold EDI data prior to and following translation or transmission to and from a trading partner.

• FTP:

  File Transfer Protocol. A common way to move files between computers over the Internet. Anonymous FTP gives users access (without any ID or password) to areas on a remote system that contains public files.

• Functional Acknowledgment:

  An EDI message that is sent in response to the receipt of an EDI message or packet of messages to notify the sender of the original message that it was received. It acknowledges only the receipt of the message or message packet, and does not imply agreement with, or understanding of, its content. A Functional Acknowledgement (also referred to as a 997 transaction) confirms that an EDI transaction has been received by a trading partner and indicates the time and date of receipt.

• Functional Group:

  A group of like transaction sets. Represents the transmission of a group of similar documents.

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• Hardware:
  The physical components of a computer system (CPU, tape drives, disk drives, modem, etc.).
• Header:
  The specific segment that tells the receiving computer where an individual EDI message starts.

• Implementation:

  The activities involved in converting an idea into a working computer system. This includes all activities from analysis to hardware installation, integration and operation.

• Implementation Guide:

  A publication that identifies and defines the EDI messages that are in use in a particular industry or application. The document indicates how the information in those messages should be presented on a segment by segment and data element by data element basis, as well as identifying which segments and data elements are needed, which ones need not be used and what code values will be expected in the application of that particular message.

• Industry Specific:

  Useful to only one particular group of companies grouped together by a common area of endeavor. In EDI, it refers to the ability of an EDI Standard to be used by only one industry.

• Integration:

  Integration refers to the process of exchanging data between to different applications in an automated fashion (with little or no manual intervention).

• Interchange:

  An electronic exchange between two business partners. The interchange is enclosed between an interchange control header and an interchange control trailer. It is comparable to an outer envelope in paper transmissions.

• ISO:

  Acronym for the International Standards Organization. An international organization, working with the United Nations, that maintains the standards for all applications of technology and mechanics for global industry.

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• Loop:
  A group of segments that are collectively repeated in a serial fashion up to a specified maximum number of times.

• Mailbox:
  A file storage area within a computer, usually one used by a Network Service Provider, where information is placed until it can be retrieved by the intended receiver.
• Mapping:
  The act of determining what pieces of information in the company's database should be placed into each data element of an EDI message or transaction set, or in reverse, what data elements of an EDI message or transaction set should be placed into the company's database.
• Message:
  A block of information in EDI, making up a business transaction, or part of a business transaction. In North America, this is normally called a transaction set.
• Message Standards:
  The system of syntax, data elements, segments, and messages (transaction sets) with which EDI will be conducted.

• National Standards Body:
  The organization in a country that is tasked with keeping the standards for all applications of technology and mechanics for the industry of that country.
• Network:
  An electronic communications system that links computers together to allow EDI to take place.
• Network Service Provider:
  A company that maintains a network and offers its services and capabilities to others for a fee.

• One or more data items forming a unit or piece of information as defined in the data dictionary of a system of EDI Standards and contained in an EDI message or transaction set. The term "data element" is often abbreviated as "DE" followed immediately by the data element number (i.e., data element 128 would be abbreviated as DE128).

• Platform:
  The type of computer system being used.
• Protocol:
  The set of rules that define the way in which information can flow within a computer or communication system. A protocol comprises: syntax - commands and responses; semantics - the structured set of requests and actions permissible by each user; and timing - types of events and sequences.

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• Receiver:
  The party to whom the EDI message or transaction set is transmitted.

• SCAC:
  Standard Carrier Alpha Codes (SCAC) are unique four-letter codes that identify transportation carriers.
• SDK:
  A Software Developers Kit (SDK) is middleware provided by a software publisher that enables software created by other software publishers to integrate with their application.
• Security:
  A generic term used to describe the methods adopted to protect the data from loss, corruption and unauthorized access and retrieval. Methods used include passwords, ID numbers, authorization, verification of message/document type/mailbox address and verification of line ID.
• Segment:
  A part of an EDI message or transaction set, made up of strings of related data elements in a specific order separated by delimiters. (As an example, an address segment may consist of city, state and zip code data elements).
  Segment Directory:
  A listing of the segments unique to the EDI Standard that are being used.
• Sender:
  The party who transmits EDI messages.
• Software:
  The programs residing on disk, tape or other storage media used by the computer to accomplish its tasks.
• Standards:
  An entity established for use as a rule or basis of comparison. In the context of EDI, this refers to the system of message standards that are in use between trading partners.
• Standards Body:
  A committee, usually made up of representatives of the users of a given Standard, and either accepted by industry or charged by a government to maintain the Standards in question.
• Standards, Proprietary:
  Those systems of EDI messages that are developed by the trading partners themselves for a specific application and do not fit in any of the systems of Standards developed by any of the accepted Standards Bodies around the world.
• Standards, Public:
  Those systems of EDI messages that are prepared and published by or through the accepted Standards Bodies around the world.
• Syntax:
  The system for arranging data elements and segments within an EDI message or transaction set, as dictated by the Message or Transaction Set Standards being used.

• TC.Net:

  TC.Net is the TrueCommerce network that provides connectivity between EDI trading partners.

• Third-party:

  A party other than the sender or receiver, such as a Network Service Provider, or a software developer that provides goods and services in support of the transmission of information in EDI.

• Trading Partner:

  A trading partner is another company with whom you conduct business, such as a vendor or customer. This is the entity with whom an organization exchanges electronic messaging. This may be either the sender or the receiver of information in EDI. (A supplier, customer, subsidiary or any other organization with which the State of Ohio does business.)

• Trailer:

  The specific segment that identifies the end of an individual EDI message.

• Transaction:

  A transaction is the exchange of a business document that facilitates a business process, such as a purchase order, invoice or advance ship notice.

• Transaction Set:

  A block of information in EDI, making up a business transaction or part of a business transaction.

• Transaction Set Standards:

  The system of syntax, data elements, segments and transaction sets (messages) with which EDI will be conducted.

• Translation:

  The act of converting a business document to and from the EDI standard.

• Translator:

  A program used to convert information from flat file to EDI format, or from EDI format to flat file.

• UPC:

  Universal Product Code (UPC) is the most common barcode format used in North America.

• User:

  An entity, either an individual or a company, who utilizes a computer or system of standards for a specific purpose like EDI.

• User Group:

  An organization of individuals and/or companies who come together to deal with the needs of those who wish to employ a technique or technology in a unified manner. User groups are discussion organizations.

• Value-Added Network:

  A system where a network leases communication lines from a communications common carrier, enhances them by adding improvements such as error detection and/or faster response time, and then allows others to use this service on those lines for a fee. This is often abbreviated as VAN

• VAN:

  Standard abbreviation for Value-Added Network. A Value Added Network (VAN) refers to an intermediary used to facilitate EDI connectivity between trading partner.

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