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A

ACH

Automated Clearing House.

AIAG

Automotive Industry Action Group. This group defines the automotive EDI standards by the same name.

AIR

Air freight standards

Alias

A unique identifier for the customer’s mailbox. It can be alphanumeric, and is unique to a Value Added Network (VAN). Also called a sender/receiver ID or trading partners ID.

ANSI

American National Standards Institute.

ANSI ASC X12

The Accredited Standards Committee X12 comprises government and industry members from North America who create EDI draft standards for submission to ANSI. ANSI ASC X12 will merge with EDIFACT beginning in 1997. Also known as ANSI X12 or ASC X12.

ANSI standard

A document published by ANSI that has been approved through the consensus process of public announcement and review. Each of these standards must have been developed by an ANSI committee and must be revisited by that committee within 5 years for update.

Application acknowledgment

A transaction set whose purpose is to return a response to a transaction set that has been received and processed in an application program. The purchase order acknowledgment is an example of an application acknowledgment. It is used to respond to the purchase order, presenting such things as whether the receiver can fulfill the order and if it can be done in time.

Application advice

A transaction set that documents errors in the content of any transaction set beyond the normal syntax checks.

ASC

Accredited Standards Committee.

B

Bandwidth

The capacity of a communications medium for carrying data.

C

Code

Numeric or alphanumeric representations of text for exchanging commonly used information. Codes are like building blocks that create transaction sets or messages. Some elements in a transaction set require the use of valid codes. For example, valid codes to identify sender and receiver IDs and DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet) numbers, Federal tax ID number, and telephone number.

Communication Protocol

The method by which two computers coordinate their communications. FTP and AS2 are two examples.

Compliance checking

A check done by the VAN/third party network or the translation software to ensure the data being exchanged is in the correct format for the standard being used. Used to ensure that a transaction complies with ANSI X12 or EDIFACT syntax rules.

Composite element

Using one element, with sub-element breakdown to define two closely related data fields. For example, rather that use two elements to define sender ID and ID type, you use on element and break it down into two sub elements of sender ID and ID type.

Conditional element

Conditional means that there is a condition specific to the element (i.e. If BPT05 or BPT06 is present, then both are required).

Control Number

A number assigned by the sending EDI partner, used to identify documents and transmissions to the receiving partner.

D

Data element

The basic unit of information in the EDI standards containing a set of values that represents a singular fact. It may be a single-character code, a literal description, or a numeric value. Examples of a data element are: price, product code and product attribute such as size or color.

Data element dictionary

A dictionary of all data elements used by a standard format. The dictionary describes each element of a segment. Elements may be used in more than one segment. Segments may be used in more than one transaction set or more than one industry.

Data element separator

A unique character preceding each data element that is used to delimit data elements within a data segment.

Data element type

A data element may be one of six types: numeric, decimal, identifier, string, data or time.

Data segment

A well-defined string of alternating data elements and data element separators. The electronic equivalent of a line item on a business form.

Data segment sequence

The sequence of data segments in a document or message. It may occur in any of the following three areas of the message:

Delimiters

These consist of two levels of separators and a terminator. The delimiters are an integral part of the transferred data stream. Delimiters are specified in the interchange header and may not be used in a data element value elsewhere in the interchange. From highest to lowest level, the separators and terminator are segment terminator, data element separator, and sub-element separator.

Direct transmission

The exchange of data from the computer of the sending party directly to the computer of the receiving party. A third party value added service is not used in a direct transmission code.

Document

A transaction set or message.

DSD

Direct store delivery; a business operation where the supplier delivers the products directly to its customer's retail stores rather than to their distribution center. DSD is generally used for products that have a limited shelf life (milk, bread).

E

EC

Electronic Commerce.

EDI

Electronic Data Interchange. A format in which business data is represented using national or international standards.

EDI translation

The conversion of application data to and from an EDI standard format.

EDI translator

The computer software used to perform the conversion of application data to and from an EDI standard format.

EDIFACT

Electronic Document Interchange For Administration, Commerce and Transportation. "UN" was added to EDIFACT to indicate messages are approved as United Nations international standards for EDI. Thirty-seven countries are currently implementing UN/EDIFACT. ANSI X12 will merge with EDIFACT beginning in 1997. Also known as ISO 9735.

EFT

Electronic Funds Transfer.

Electronic Commerce

Transacting business via electronic means. This includes all forms of electronic media such as FAX, E-mail and EDI. Electronic Commerce is NOT restricted to EDI only.

Element

Elements are grouped together in order to build segments, which are in turn grouped together to make an EDI document. Element separators separate elements. At the end of a segment (a group of elements) you will find a segment terminator, which is a unique character to the document, and can not be used anywhere within the EDI document.

Element separator

A special character used to separate elements in a segment.

Encryption

A process of transforming clear text into ciphertext for security or privacy reasons.

ERS

Evaluated receipt settlement; a business strategy that allows the customer to pay its supplier based on matching the material received with the advanced ship notice (ASN). ERS means that the supplier does not send its customer an invoice.

F

Field

The smallest item of information in a record.

Fixed-length files

Typically used in proprietary or private EDI standards; the makeup of which is composed of 80-bite segments.

Flat file

A fixed field, fixed record-length application data file.

Formats

A set of records where element lengths and types are defined.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

A protocol used to transfer files between two computers. Generally used over a TCP/IP-based network.

Functional acknowledgment

A message or transaction set transmitted by the receiver of an EDI transaction to the sender, indicating receipt and syntactical acceptability of data transmitted according to an EDI standard. The functional acknowledgment allows the receiving party to report back to the sending party problems encountered by the syntax analyzer as the data are interpreted. It is not intended to serve as an acknowledgment of data content.

Functional group

A group of one or more messages or transaction sets bounded by a functional group header segment and a functional group trailer segment. It is a collection of electronic document information for the same business application.

G

Gateway

The interconnection between VAN's, allowing transmission of electronic documents across multiple VAN's.

GEIS

GE Information Services.

Generic Mapping

Generic mapping requires a study of multiple maps before you can design a single generic transaction set. Generic mapping means you try to fit multiple trading partners' requirements for a transaction set into one.

GTIN

Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is an identifier for trade items. Similar to a UPC number (see UPC).

GUI

Graphical user interface.

H

Hardlines Industry

Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, home centers and retail chains of hardware and housewares products

HTML

Hyper Text Markup Language, an SGML document type definition used as an authoring language for the World Wide Web

HTTP

Hypertext Transfer Protocol; the set of rules for exchanging files ( text, graphic images, sound, video, and other multimedia files ) on the web.

HUB

A large company very active in EDI, which strongly encourages business partners to use EDI, also known as a Trading Partner.

I

Industry guideline

How the EDI environment uses conventions within an industry. It provides assistance on how to implement EDI standards.

Interchange

The exchange of information between one company and another. A set of documents sent from one sender to one receiver at one time.

Interchange Control

A layer around an electronic envelope that contains information regarding the control numbers, sender and receiver IDs, and other relevant information.

Interconnection

The ability of VANs to connect to one another for EDI mail exchange.

Interface

The connection between items of equipment and/or software.

Internet

A world wide network of networks with 20-25 million users, and growing at the rate of 50% per year. Most value added networks are connected to the Internet.

ISA segment

The first segment of an EDI document, it contains the sender and receiver ID’s, qualifier, the date, as well as other pertinent information.

J

JIT

Just in time (inventory).

L

LAN

Local Area Network. LANs are usually restricted to a building.

Loop

A repetition of a segment or a group of segments.

M

Mailbag

An EDI term meaning an electronic manila envelope that contains batches of EDI mail.

Mailbox

An electronic message storage place for data. A customer can retrieve messages from his/her own mailbox, and can send messages to other trading partners' mailboxes.

Mapping

The process of identifying the relationship of the EDI standard data elements to application software data elements.

Match

To setup a trading relationship, usually between a subscriber and a trading partner.

MOTOR

Trucking industry freight standards.

O

OCEAN

Ocean freight standards.

P

Proprietary format

A data format specific to a company, industry or other limited group. Proprietary formats do not comply with EDI standards.

Q

QR

Quick response is a business strategy adopted by the retail industry. QR means trading partners use technology to effectively manage the flow of business data in an effort to manufacture the right product at the right time and for the right price.

Qualifier

A data element which gives a generic segment or a generic data element a specific meaning.

R

Reference Guide

A trading partner specific document which contains testing information, general information as well as comprehensive information about each document the trading partner has made available. This information will be helpful to begin sending and receiving documents electronically on the ADX network.

S

Security

A process of system screening that denies access to unauthorized users and protects data from unauthorized uses. In many cases security refers to physical security such as keyboard locks or the placing of computers in secure areas behind locked doors.

Segment

Each line item in a transaction set.

Session

The act of (at least) signing on and signing off one's Mailbox. A session may or may not include sending and/or receiving data to/from the System. A session MUST end with the transmission (by the customer of a Signoff record.)

SKU

Stock keeping unit; a unit designator to uniquely identify a product.

Spoke

Also known as a subscriber, customer, supplier or end-user.

Syntax

The grammar or rules which define the structure of EDI standards.

T

TPIS

Trading Partner Information Sheet. A Document which contains all pertinent information about the vendor that will be sent to the Trading Partner (HUB).

Trade

To send and receive documents to and from trading partners.

Trading partner

The sending and/or receiving party involved in the exchange of EDI transmissions. Within ADX, Hubs are often referred to as Trading Partners.

Trading partner profile

Specific information that is used to uniquely identify an EDI trading partner. This information is usually maintained in the translation software.

Trailer

The ending segment of an EDI Document (i.e. IEA, GE, and SE)

Transaction set

(USA) The transaction set unambiguously defines, in the standard syntax, information of business or strategic significance. It consists of a transaction set header segment, one or more data segments in a specified order, and a transaction set trailer segment. (International) Known as a message in EDIFACT. It is the electronic equivalent of a business document or business form.

Transaction set ID

A numeric or alphanumeric representation that identifies a transaction set. For instance, the transaction set ID 850 identifies a purchase order in X12.

Translation

The act of accepting documents in other than standard format and translating them to the EDI standard.

U

UCC

Uniform Code Council; a U.S. organization that defines rules, such as what constitutes a contract, what is evidence, and what is a signature for business transactions.

UCS

Uniform Communications Standard for the grocery industry.

UPC

Universal Product Code. A standard numeric product identifier and its associated graphical representation used as a product descriptor.

UPN

V

VAN

Value Added Network. These are usually third party service organizations (GXS or Sterling Commerce)

Variable-length files

Typically used in public EDI standards; where the length of a segment can be variable within a minimum and maximum length as required by each standard.

VICS

Voluntary Inter-Industry Communication Standard for the retail industry.

VMI

Vendor-managed inventory; a business strategy that allows the supplier to directly manage its customer's inventory levels at stores and distribution centers. The vendor/s is able to do this based on point of sale and usage information the customer sends. This gives the supplier the necessary information to know when and how much stock needs to be replenished, effectively managing the customer's inventory levels.

W

Workflow automation

The automation of information processing. Traditionally, workflow has referred to automating internal procedures, but with electronic commerce, workflow applies to the management of external and internal information flow.

World Wide Web

A graphical user interface layer that sits on top of Internet.

X

X12 Standards

Generic EDI standards designed to allow a company to exchange data with any other company, regardless of industry. X12 standards are set by Accredited Standards Committee X12, whose work is approved by the American National Standards Institute. Accordingly, X12 standards are often called the ANSI X12 standards.

XID

An ADX customer account number, also known as an ADX address, ADX ID, EC Address, EC ID, e.g. 05849A