EDI Mapping Guides

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Guides (sometimes called Mapping Guides or implementation guides), are provided by the major Hub / EDI trading partner.

The guides contain information that dictates exactly what information is to be sent or received and how the trading partner wants that information sent (aka mode of communication or data transmission).

EDI Guides are unique (one off) even if a document has the same name.
The data is always formatted based on each trading Partners unique specifications within a national (ANSI X12) or international (EDIFACT) standard. A simple example of this is to examine the various styles of received purchase orders. An EDI purchase order is called an “850 document type”, each company (trading partner) sends essentially the same basic information, however upon close examination, they all are slightly different; the placement of the data, the codes utilized, definitions, etc. are uniquely defined by the trading partner. This is the major reason that each document must be treated separately.

All EDI follows strict rules to assure compliance. Codes, qualifiers, mandatory or conditional segments and fields all play intricate parts in “compliant data”. The good news is that once a document has been mapped*, it can be easily transferred to a new version as the trading partner dictates with minimal changes.

Follow this link to see an example of a JC Penny EDI Guide


*One time mapping assumes the use of Qualedi Labels to assure ongoing compliance. read more

What is EDI

So what is EDI?
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the computer-to-computer exchange of business documents between companies. EDI proves to be fast, reliable and a cost saving business practice that can reduce your companies carbon footprint.

In EDI, information is organized according to a standard format (ASC X12) published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). International EDI standards are known as EDIFACT standards.

Each year these standards are reviewed and updated to accommodate new business and ensure accuracy. Versions of these standards are published by The Data Interchange Standards Association (DISA).

Typically new versions are adopted by Hubs every few years.

The process of using EDI is very straight forward, a standard document (agreed upon by both parties,) is translated into a specific format and sent (or received) via a secure communication (data transport) method.

The data is broken into small segments ie: Ship To - Name and Address or Product Identifiers depending on the type of business you are involved with. Qualedi EDI X12 Translator covers all industries with approximately 500 different document types.

NAESB Certified EDM Software

Qualedi EDM Software or EDM Services is the perfect solution for Utility Companies looking for a data transport mechanism to comply with NERC.

• We include all versions of NAESB (including GISB 1.4) any required EDI document and version.
  
• We accommodate any number of internal (divisions) and external (trading partners).

Secure, encrypted, certified.

Call us today
(800) 797-4334

Welcome EDI / EDM Users

Welcome to our BLOG
We've decided that one of the best ways to share our 26 years of experience is to provide an Internet forum for Q & A regarding Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Electronic Delivery Mechanism (EDM) via a BLOG. There can be lots of confusing information out there, we’d like to make a difference in the e-commerce market by providing intelligent responses to the many and varied businesses that these standards / protocols impact. (Namely ANSI X12 and GISB / NAESB.)

About Qualedi, Inc.
Upfront let us tell you about Qualedi, Inc. who we are and why we are in a position to conduct these discussions. Qualedi, Inc. is the oldest continuing private company in the EDI world. Since 1983 Qualedi has been dedicated in assisting small and medium business operators to become EDI / EDM proficient with over 5,000 copies of their premier EDI translator installed throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Qualedi believes that EDI does not have to be big, cumbersome or costly to implement. Additionally, this year Qualedi has responded the new Energy Policy Act of 2005 and consequently the needs of the utility industry by providing a NAESB certified EDM product.

The initial Qualedi system was created four years after the X12 Committee of ANSI – American National Standards Institute - first started codifying the EDI standards in 1979. We have had a long association with Government work as The APL Group, Inc. (d.b.a. “Eventra”) starting in 1983, and as Qualedi Inc., its successor company in 2000.

In the ever-changing e-commerce industry, Qualedi, Inc. stands above the fray by their marked professional service and personal touch. Qualedi, Inc. fully supports their comprehensive EDI / EDM systems and services with timely updates and enhancements to keep pace with industry standards and customer recommendations. With Qualedi in place, businesses are able to manage their business instead of their data.