Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
What exactly is Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)?
It’s how companies communicate and share documents with each other in the modern world (business-to-business). EDI automates communication and business workflows- resulting in streamlined processes for your company.
Electronic Data Interchange allows for processing bulk amounts of transactions very quickly. In the digital age, nearly every company in any industry needs a reliable EDI platform.
Ideally, Electronic Data Interchange
- saves companies man-hours and money
- practically eliminates the time it takes to share information, and
- results in greater security and fewer errors overall.
EDI codes for Manufacturing
In our current fast-paced manufacturing landscape, you need streamlined and efficient operations. That’s where EDI comes in.
With the seamless exchange of business documents between your company and its trading partners and customers, EDI can help your businesses improve your bottom line while keeping up with the demands of a revolutionized global market.
10 of the most common Electronic Data Interchange transaction codes for manufacturing are:
- 1. EDI 830 – Planning Schedule with Release Capability
- 2. EDI 840 – Request for Quotation
- 3. EDI 843 – Response to Request for Quotation
- 4. EDI 850 – Purchase Order
- 5. EDI 855 – Purchase Order Acknowledgement
- 6. EDI 856 – Advance Shipment Notice
- 7. EDI 862 – Shipping Schedule
- 8. EDI 940 – Warehouse Shipping Order
- 9. EDI 945 – Warehouse Shipping Advice
- 10. EDI 997 – Functional Acknowledgement
- Bonus Code!
(Note: for a complete list of transaction codes, visit https://www.edistaffing.com/resources/edi-transaction-glossary/#supplychain)
1. EDI 830 – Planning Schedule with Release Capability
EDI 830 is an EDI transaction typically sent from a manufacturer to a vendor or supplier, outlining the schedule within a specific timeframe. This document is helpful in automating order fulfillment.
EDI 830 can be as specific (or not) as needed, and includes information such as identification details of all parties, an expected distribution and order schedule, product SKUs and details, resource or order release authorization, delivery instructions, and any shipping information.
A general benefit of most EDI documents is an added layer of security when communicating between trading partners, and streamlined information sharing. EDI 830 additionally provides information that sets up automated order fulfillment, a more productive distribution plan, and data on manufacturer needs.
2. EDI 840 – Request for Quotation
EDI 840 is a transaction used by buyers asking for information from a potential trading partner. Getting quotes this way makes it clear which potential partner(s) are the best fit for the buyer.
In EDI 840, buyers share buyer identification information, and ask for a description of goods/services, prices and terms, delivery schedules and expectations, as well as a deadline for the quote.
EDI 840 makes it possible to request several quotes from potential partners almost effortlessly. All documents are shared electronically, cutting out the possibility of human error. Additionally, sending bids via encrypted EDI transactions is more secure than phone calls, faxes, or typical emails.
3. EDI 843 – Response to Request for Quotation
EDI 843 is a document sent as an answer to EDI 840. Sellers and suppliers deliver all information requested by the buyer about their goods and services.
Since it’s a response to EDI 840, this EDI transaction includes seller details, product description and pricing, delivery expectations, and any information relating to services rendered.
Much like EDI 840, EDI 843 benefits all parties by providing security and accuracy in a highly convenient way! By sending encrypted documents, trading partners have the advantage of crystal-clear communication, with records of all bids made.
4. EDI 850 – Purchase Order
EDI 850 contains all relevant details about a purchase order. In most cases, this transaction set (the first step in the ordering process) is usually sent to a vendor.
Conveniently, EDI 850 can have details for a single order, recurring orders, or a changed order. As an electronic purchase order, EDI 850 outlines the Purchase Order number, order date, and vendor details. Also included are the shipping and delivery details, pricing and billing information, item descriptions and identifiers, and payment terms.
When using an EDI, all communications are secure against outside threats. In addition to this added layer of security, EDI transactions streamline operations between partners, sharing and updating information almost instantly.
5. EDI 855 – Purchase Order Acknowledgement
EDI 855 is a document typically sent in response to EDI 850 (perhaps in conjunction with EDI 997). A seller responds to a buyer’s purchase order to trigger the forward motion of the order processing workflow.
The EDI 855 transaction set includes extremely detailed information for new orders. These details outline the EDI 850, the seller’s vendor number, and any changes in the order or errors that need to be noted.
Some key perks of EDI 855 are the security that comes from encrypted communication, real-time updates for all parties, and seamless transactions. All parties benefit from near-instant updates regarding order changes.
6. EDI 856 – Advance Shipping Notice
EDI 856 is a transaction set most often used by sellers and distributors, as well as manufacturers and retailers. This EDI document notifies the shipment receiver before a shipment arrives at the store or distribution center.
Information in EDI 856 includes the shipment number, shipping date (and delivery date), tracking details, and product details. These product details outline item details and numbers, packaging details, and UCC 128/G21 numbers.
In addition to reducing time spent manually inputting shipping details into individual formats for each trading partner, using EDI 856 also provides all parties with real-time updates regarding approaching deliveries.
7. EDI 862 – Shipping Schedule
EDI 862 is an EDI document sent between trading partners (typically one manufacturer to another, or to a wholesaler) to give updates on EDI 830 or to provide a shipping schedule within a set period.
This document contains a lot of the same data as EDI 830 (a planning schedule), but may have some variation. Information shared with EDI 862 includes identification details of both the buyer and the vendor, shipping addresses, product SKUs and UPCs, packing and loading directions, as well as planned and expected shipping schedules.
As a shipping schedule, EDI 862 can either supplement EDI 830 or stand independently. It provides manufacturers with up-to-date information on orders, expected shipments, and fulfillment needs: without manually compiling data for each update.
8. EDI 940 – Warehouse Shipping Order
EDI 940 is a transaction set sent by sellers to Third-Party Logistics providers (3PLs), requesting a shipment from a warehouse to a buyer.
The EDI 940 transaction shares general information such as Purchase Order number, the ship-to address, and the receiver’s contact information. Also included are details specific to the order, namely order details and specialized shipping instructions (if needed).
With automated real-time data exchange between 3PLs and warehouses, EDI 940 transactions can be created almost as soon as an order is placed in the system. Warehouses save immeasurable time and effort compared to creating individual shipping orders manually. And there is no possibility of human error! Additionally, because these shipping orders are encrypted, EDI documents like this are actually more secure than hard-copy or emailed shipping orders.
9. EDI 945 – Warehouse Shipping Advice
EDI 945 is a transaction set that confirms a shipment is completed. Generally, a 3PL provider or warehouse will send this EDI document to their client to alert them that a shipment has taken place and is completed.
The EDI 945 document outlines the completed shipment details and is a critical part of the shipment process. Some of the most vital components of these transactions are product identifiers and quantities, both the shipment and departure time/date, warehouse/carrier/delivery details, payment information, tracking information…and possibly even more details than that!
By automating this shipping advice, warehouses and 3PL providers save time and money while also reducing errors (benefits included in most EDI transactions!). EDI 945 specifically boosts warehouse efficiency by creating simpler workflows for 3PL providers. It makes it possible to ship products quicker and more accurately than putting in manual shipping advice, allows for automated inventory and shipment tracking, and communicates pertinent data with customers.
10. EDI 997 – Functional Acknowledgement
EDI 997 is the EDI transaction set communicating to trading partners that another EDI document has been received. This document can be fully automated, and is sent back as a sort of sophisticated notification system.
As a rather straightforward document, EDI 997 lists the received transaction code and a notification of whether the received transaction was accepted, rejected, or had errors. If there were errors, the transaction may still be accepted, but EDI 997 may elaborate on any errors made. When a company sends out an EDI transaction, they will then automatically receive an EDI 997 to review.
Acting as a kind of insurance, or audit, EDI 997 keeps all parties in the loop. By creating an electronic paper trail of sorts, any orders, invoices, payments, or changes made are easy to track. And if there are any errors, EDI 997 allows for corrections to be made before the final transaction is sent to the recipient.
11. Bonus Code!
If you didn’t see the transaction type your company needs for your wholesale operation, good news!
It’s possible for you to work with an integration platform to customize your own transaction type specific to your system, needs, and trading partners.
CINTAP CLOUD AND EDI
An Integration Solution for Manufacturing
CINTAP Cloud users don’t have to be limited to a rigid set of transaction types.
No matter your industry, CINTAP is dedicated to walking each customer through solutions to every problem. And naturally, this includes creating customized transaction types for you, so you can get back the time and resources your company needs!
As an integration platform, CINTAP streamlines EDI and business workflows. With CINTAP Cloud you can:
- accelerate your integration projects
- eliminate any redundancies
- simplify complex processes
- and provide real-time insights, so you (and your partners) have better tracking and visibility.
All this while also offering huge savings compared to other providers in the iPaaS industry!
Start optimizing today:
Get CINTAP Cloud as your solution for EDI transactions in Manufacturing!
You can learn more about us or get in contact with us to start optimizing your transactions right away!
Author – Carissa Getscher
