| Electronic data interchange (EDI) is a system that | | | | automation eliminates the need of an operator to |
| enables business entities to exchange information at | | | | retype the data, which saves the company |
| low administrative costs. A company wishing to install | | | | considerable expenses in the long run. Quality EDI |
| an EDI system has to procure the required software | | | | software is designed to run 24 hours a day, seven |
| and hardware. EDI software is available for all types | | | | days a week, and 365 days a year without being |
| of computers ranging from the single PC to | | | | manually handled.EDI systems that were traditionally |
| mainframes. EDI software basically translates business | | | | operated on private networks, are now increasingly |
| documents into a digital format complying with the | | | | utilizing the power of the Internet. EDI software |
| ANSI X12 or EDIFACT standard. The exchange of | | | | employs open standards such as Web Forms, XML |
| these digital documents is then handled by the | | | | and Internet EDI (AS2). Good EDI software features |
| communication software.The hardware necessary for | | | | self-monitoring tools, automatic notifications and |
| supporting EDI software depends on requirements | | | | emergency alerts. Additionally, this software handles |
| such as speed and the extent that the EDI system | | | | the translation of EDI documents into various file |
| has to be integrated into other systems of the | | | | formats used over the Internet. The communication |
| company. EDI software that facilitates proper interface | | | | component of the EDI software should efficiently |
| with the internal systems is preferred over software | | | | handle the different types of protocols that are |
| where data has to be retyped in the standard format. | | | | employed.EDI provides detailed information on EDI, EDI |
| In an ideal EDI system, business documents are | | | | Outsourcing, EDI Software, EDI Services and more. |
| automatically converted into a standard digital form | | | | EDI is affiliated with Contact Management Systems. |
| and exchanged between the partner companies. This | | | | |