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EDI Learning Center

Learn how B2B integration really works

Practical, vendor-neutral explanations of EDI standards, documents, connectivity and operating models, written by integration specialists for business and IT teams.

How the Learning Center fits togetherMap of the Learning Center in seven areas, each linking to its section: fundamentals (5 articles), X12 reference (321 pages), EDIFACT reference (212 pages), comparisons (4 articles), guides (20 guides), glossary (61 terms) and FAQ.How the Learning Center fits togetherStart with the fundamentals, look up documents in the references, then apply them with the guidesFundamentals5 articlesWhat EDI is, how it works,and the standards andchannels behind it.EDIX12EDIFACTAS2VANX12 reference321 pagesX12 transaction sets bybusiness process, with pageson who sends each one, whereit fits and its structure.850856810997EDIFACT reference212 pagesUN/EDIFACT message types,each with its closest X12equivalent.ORDERSDESADVINVOICComparisons4 articlesSide-by-side choices:protocols, deployment andoperating models.Guides20 guidesOperational playbooks andERP-specific integrationguides.Glossary61 termsPlain-language definitions ofEDI and B2B integrationterms.FAQStraight answers to thequestions teams ask mostoften.
How the Learning Center fits togetherMap of the Learning Center in seven areas, each linking to its section: fundamentals (5 articles), X12 reference (321 pages), EDIFACT reference (212 pages), comparisons (4 articles), guides (20 guides), glossary (61 terms) and FAQ.How the Learning Center fitstogetherStart with the fundamentals, look up documentsin the references, then apply them with theguidesFundamentals5 articlesWhat EDI is, how it works, and the standardsand channels behind it.EDIX12EDIFACTAS2VANX12 reference321 pagesX12 transaction sets by business process,with pages on who sends each one, where itfits and its structure.850856810997EDIFACT reference212 pagesUN/EDIFACT message types, each with itsclosest X12 equivalent.ORDERSDESADVINVOICComparisons4 articlesSide-by-side choices: protocols, deploymentand operating models.Guides20 guidesOperational playbooks and ERP-specificintegration guides.Glossary61 termsPlain-language definitions of EDI and B2Bintegration terms.FAQStraight answers to the questions teams askmost often.

Each card is one area of the Learning Center and opens it. New to EDI? Read the fundamentals first, then use the X12 and EDIFACT references to look up specific documents, and the guides and comparisons when you plan a project.

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EDI fundamentals

All fundamentals
01

What is EDI? A practical guide for business and IT leaders

What electronic data interchange is, why trading partners require it, and what it takes to run it well.

Read 02

How EDI works: from purchase order to payment

A step-by-step walk through the EDI process, from creating a document in one system to processing it in another.

Read 03

X12 vs EDIFACT: differences between the two EDI standards

How ANSI X12 and UN/EDIFACT differ, where each is used, and how organizations trading globally support both.

Read 04

EDI VAN vs AS2: how EDI documents travel between partners

How VANs, AS2 and other channels move EDI documents, and how to choose the right one for each partner.

Read 05

EDI vs API: differences, strengths and when to use each

How EDI and APIs differ, where each fits, and why most organizations need both.

Read

Transaction guides

X12 documents, explained with examples

Purpose, document flow, key segments, a sample and common errors for each transaction.

Full X12 reference

Run EDI better

Operational and ERP guides

Practical checklists and how-to guides for EDI teams, plus in-depth guides for integrating EDI with your ERP.

All guides

Operations

ERP-specific

Decide with confidence

Comparisons

All comparisons

Managed EDI vs in-house EDI: cost, risk and control

How running EDI yourself compares with managed EDI and hybrid models, and how to decide which fits your organization.

Web EDI vs integrated EDI: which is right for your business?

How browser-based web EDI compares with EDI integrated into your ERP, and when it is time to move from one to the other.

AS2 vs SFTP: choosing a secure protocol for B2B file exchange

How AS2 and SFTP differ in security, delivery proof and operational effort, and which to use for EDI and file exchange.

iPaaS vs on-premises EDI software: how to choose

How cloud iPaaS compares with on-premises EDI software, and when a hybrid deployment makes sense.

Reference

References and case studies

X12 reference

Common ANSI X12 transaction sets by business process.

EDIFACT reference

Common UN/EDIFACT messages and their X12 equivalents.

EDI glossary

61 EDI and B2B integration terms in plain English.

EDI FAQ

Straight answers to the most common EDI questions.

Case studies

What our clients say about working with ECOM.

Integration guides

Connecting with specific partners and systems

Detailed guides for 38 trading partners and 15 ERP platforms, covering documents, workflows, connectivity and integration options.

Trading partner guides ERP integration guides

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