Documents related to ALE & EDI

http://www.erpgenie.com/sapedi/idoc_abap.htm

To Create Idoc we need to follow these steps:

Create Segment ( WE31)

Create Idoc Type ( WE30 )

Create Message Type ( WE81 )

Assign Idoc Type to Message Type ( WE82 )

Creating a Segment

Go to transaction code WE31

Enter the name for your segment type and click on the Create icon

Type the short text

Enter the variable names and data elements

Save it and go back

Go to Edit -> Set Release

Follow steps to create more number of segments

Create IDOC Type

Go to transaction code WE30

Enter the Object Name, select Basic type and click Create icon

Select the create new option and enter a description for your basic IDOC type and press enter

Select the IDOC Name and click Create icon

The system prompts us to enter a segment type and its attributes

Choose the appropriate values and press Enter

The system transfers the name of the segment type to the IDOC editor.

Follow these steps to add more number of segments to Parent or as Parent-child relation

Save it and go back

Go to Edit -> Set release

Create Message Type

Go to transaction code WE81

Change the details from Display mode to Change mode

After selection, the system will give this message “The table is cross-client (see Help for further info)”. Press Enter

Click New Entries to create new Message Type

Fill details

Save it and go back

Assign Message Type to IDoc Type

Go to transaction code WE82

Change the details from Display mode to Change mode

After selection, the system will give this message “The table is cross-client (see Help for further info)”. Press Enter.

Click New Entries to create new Message Type.

Fill details

Save it and go back

Check these out..

Check below link. It will give the step by step procedure for IDOC creation.

http://www.supinfo-projects.com/cn/2005/idocs_en/2/

ALE/ IDOC

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2004/helpdata/en/dc/6b835943d711d1893e0000e8323c4f/content.htm

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapgenie/docs/ale_scenario_development_procedure.doc

http://edocs.bea.com/elink/adapter/r3/userhtm/ale.htm#1008419

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale2.pdf

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/0b/2a60bb507d11d18ee90000e8366fc2/frameset.htm

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/78/217da751ce11d189570000e829fbbd/frameset.htm

http://www.sappoint.com/abap.html

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2004/helpdata/en/dc/6b835943d711d1893e0000e8323c4f/content.htm

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapgenie/docs/ale_scenario_development_procedure.doc

http://edocs.bea.com/elink/adapter/r3/userhtm/ale.htm#1008419

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapgenie/docs/ale_scenario_development_procedure.docs

go trough these links.

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2004/helpdata/en/dc/6b835943d711d1893e0000e8323c4f/content.htm

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapgenie/docs/ale_scenario_development_procedure.doc

http://edocs.bea.com/elink/adapter/r3/userhtm/ale.htm#1008419

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale2.pdf

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/0b/2a60bb507d11d18ee90000e8366fc2/frameset.htm

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/78/217da751ce11d189570000e829fbbd/frameset.htm

http://www.sappoint.com/abap.html

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2004/helpdata/en/dc/6b835943d711d1893e0000e8323c4f/content.htm

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapgenie/docs/ale_scenario_development_procedure.doc

http://edocs.bea.com/elink/adapter/r3/userhtm/ale.htm#1008419

http://http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2004/helpdata/en/dc/6b835943d711d1893e0000e8323c4f/content.htm

An IDoc is simply a data container that is used to exchange information between any two processes that can understand the syntax and semantics of the data...

1.IDOCs are stored in the database. In the SAP system, IDOCs are stored in database tables.

2.IDOCs are independent of the sending and receiving systems.

3.IDOCs are independent of the direction of data exchange.

The two available process for IDOCs are

Outbound Process

Inbound Process

AND There are basically two types of IDOCs.

Basic IDOCs

Basic IDOC type defines the structure and format of the business document that is to be exchanged between two systems.

Extended IDOCs

Extending the functionality by adding more segments to existing Basic IDOCs.

To Create Idoc we need to follow these steps:

Create Segment ( WE31)

Create Idoc Type ( WE30)

Create Message Type ( WE81)

Assign Idoc Type to Message Type ( WE82)

imp links

http://sappoint.com/presentation.html

www.sappoint.com

--here u can find the ppts and basic seetings for ALE

www.sapgenie.com

http://www.sapgenie.com/ale/index.htm

WE30 - you can create a IDOC type.

An IDOC with data, will have to be triggered by the application that is trying to send out the data.

Try this..Hope this will help.

>>>> SAP ALE & IDOC<<<<

Steps to configuration(Basis) >>

1. Create Logical System (LS) for each applicable ALE-enabled client

2. Link client to Logical System on the respective servers

3. Create background user, to be used by ALE(with authorizaton for ALE postings)

4. Create RFC Destinations(SM59)

5. Ports in Idoc processing(WE21)

6. Generate partner profiles for sending system

The functional configuration(Tcode: SALE)

• Create a Customer Distribution Model (CDM);

• Add appropriate message types and filters to the CDM;

• Generate outbound partner profiles;

• Distribute the CDM to the receiving systems; and

• Generate inbound partner profiles on each of the clients.

Steps to customize a new IDoc >>>

1. Define IDoc Segment (WE31)

2. Convert Segments into an IDoc type (WE30)

3. Create a Message Type (WE81)

4. Create valid Combination of Message & IDoc type(WE82)

5. Define Processing Code(WE41 for OUT / WE42 for IN)

6. Define Partner Profile(WE20)

Important Transaction Codes:

SALE - IMG ALE Configuration root

WE20 - Manually maintain partner profiles

BD64 - Maintain customer distribution model

BD71 - Distribute customer distribution model

SM59 - Create RFC Destinations

BDM5 - Consistency check (Transaction scenarios)

BD82 - Generate Partner Profiles

BD61 - Activate Change Pointers - Globally

BD50 - Activate Change Pointer for Msg Type

BD52 - Activate change pointer per change.doc object

BD59 - Allocation object type -> IDOC type

BD56 - Maintain IDOC Segment Filters

BD53 - Reduction of Message Types

BD21 - Select Change Pointer

BD87 - Status Monitor for ALE Messages

BDM5 - Consistency check (Transaction scenarios)

BD62 - Define rules

BD79 - Maintain rules

BD55 - Defining settings for IDoc conversion

WEDI - ALE IDoc Administration

WE21 - Ports in Idoc processing

WE60 - IDoc documentation

SARA - IDoc archiving (Object type IDOC)

WE47 - IDoc status maintenance

WE07 - IDoc statistics

BALE - ALE Distribution Administration

WE05 - IDoc overview

BD87 - Inbound IDoc reprocessing

BD88 - Outbound IDoc reprocessing

BDM2 - IDoc Trace

BDM7 - IDoc Audit Analysis

BD21 - Create IDocs from change pointers

SM58 - Schedule RFC Failures

Basic config for Distributed data:

BD64: Maintain a Distributed Model

BD82: Generate Partner Profile

BD64: Distribute the distribution Model

Programs

RBDMIDOC – Creating IDoc Type from Change Pointers

RSEOUT00 – Process all selected IDocs (EDI)

RBDAPP01 - Inbound Processing of IDocs Ready for Transfer

RSARFCEX - Execute Calls Not Yet Executed

RBDMOIND - Status Conversion with Successful tRFC Execution

RBDMANIN - Start error handling for non-posted IDocs

RBDSTATE - Send Audit Confirmations

FOr testing you can use WE19.

With Regards

Madhu.

Former Member · ‎01-10-2008

ALE (Application Linking and Enabling)

Ale Technology is SAP’s technology to support distributed yet integrated processes across several SAP systems.

Distributed Process:

A distributed process is one in which part of a business process is carried out on one system and part on another. The two systems would exchange data with each other at appropriate points to stay synchronized.

Need for Distributed Process:

• Business in Different Geographical Locations.

• Non availability of dedicated network.

• Cultural and language differences in Geographical locations.

• Running of Mission-critical Applications (Like Maintenance downtime etc.).

• Separate up gradation of Modules.

Distributed SAP SYSTEM – CHALLENGES

• A system that understands the syntax and semantics of the data. It was important from the very beginning to base the distribution of data on business rules, not on database replication techniques.

• Distributed systems that can maintain their autonomy while being integrated as one logical SAP system. The systems should be able to operate independently and support logical processing of transactions and data.

• Distributed systems that can handle different data models. A local implementation should be able to customize the system to meet its local needs.

• Receiving systems that can handle their own problems and not tie up the sending system.

• Systems that maintain continued operation in spite of network failure. Changes made to either system should be synchronized after the network connection is restored.

• A sound technology and methodology that can be used in all distribution scenarios.

SAP Distributed environment:

ALE allows for efficient and reliable communication between distributed processes across physically separate SAP systems.

ALE is based on application to application integration using messaging architecture. A message defines data that is exchanged between two processes. IDocs are containers that hold data exchanged between the two systems.

Benefits of ALE:

• Integration with non-SAP systems: ALE architecture allows third party applications to integrate with SAP system.

• Reliable Distribution: Once message type created and the receiver of the message is determined, ALE delivers the message to the recipient. If there is any network problem it will buffer the message and delivers the message once the network is restored. It also ensures that the message is not delivered twice.

• Release Upgrade: Any of the distributed system can be upgraded to the new release of SAP without affecting the functionality. The ALE layer ensures backward compatibility of messages exchanged between systems.

ALE Architecture:

It consists of an Outbound process, an Inbound process, and an Exception – Handling process.

Outbound Process:

ALE Outbound Process in SAP sends data to one or more SAP Systems. It involves four steps.

1. Identify the need of IDoc: This step starts upon creating a application document, can relate to a change to a master data object.

2. Generate the Master IDoc: The document or master data to be sent is read from the database and formatted into an IDoc format. This IDoc is called as a Master IDoc.

3. Generate the Communication IDoc: The ALE Service layer generates a separate IDoc from the Master IDoc for each recipient who is interested in the data. Separate IDocs are generated because each recipient might demand a different version or a subset of the Master IDoc. These recipient-specific IDocs are called Communication IDocs and are stored in the database.

4. Deliver the Communication IDoc: The IDoc is delivered to the recipients using an asynchronous communication method. This allows the sending system to continue its processing without having to wait for the destination system to receiver or process the IDoc.

Inbound Process:

The inbound process receives an IDoc and creates a document in the system.

1. Store the IDoc in the database: The IDoc is received from the sending system and stored in the database. Then the IDoc goes through a basic integrity check and syntax check.

2. Invoke the Posting Module: The control information in the IDoc and configuration tables are read to determine the posting program. The IDoc is then transferred to its posting program.

3. Create the Document: The posting program reads the IDoc data and then creates a document in the system. The results are logged in the IDoc.

Over view of IDocs:

IDoc is a container that is used to exchange data between any two processes. The document represented in an IDoc is independent of the complex structure SAP uses to store application data. This type of flexibility enables SAP to rearrange its internal structure without affecting the existing interface.

IDoc interface represents an IDoc Type or IDoc data. IDoc Type represents IDoc’s definition and IDoc Data is an instance of the IDoc Type.

IDoc Types:

IDoc type structure can consist of several segments, and each segment can consist of several data fields. The IDoc structure defines the syntax of the data by specifying a list of permitted segments and arrangement of the segments. Segments define a set of fields and their format.

An IDoc is an instance of an IDoc Type and consists of three types of records.

i. One Control record: each IDoc has only one control record. The control record contains all the control information about an IDoc, including the IDoc number, the sender and recipient information, and information such as the message type it represents and IDoc type. The control record structure is same for all IDocs.

ii. One or Many Data records: An IDoc can have multiple data records, as defined by the IDoc structure. Segments translate into data records, which store application data, such as purchase order header information and purchase order detail lines.

iii. One or Many Status records: An IDoc can have multiple status records. Status record helps to determine whether an IDoc has any error.

Message in IDoc Type:

A Message represents a specific type of document transmitted between two partners.

Outbound Process in IDocs:

Outbound process used the following components to generate an IDoc. A customer model, and IDoc structure, selection programs, filter objects, conversion rules, a port definition, an RFC destination, a partner profile, service programs, and configuration tables.

The Customer Model:

A customer model is used to model a distribution scenario. In a customer model, you identify the systems involved in a distribution scenario and the message exchanged between the systems.

Message control:

Message control is a cross application technology used in pricing, account determination, material determination, and output determination. The output determination technique of Message control triggers the ALE for a business document. Message control separates the logic of generating IDocs from the application logic.

Change Pointers:

The change pointers technique is based on the change document technique, which tracks changes made to key documents in SAP, such as the material master, customer master and sales order.

Changes made to a document are recorded in the change document header table CDHDR, and additional change pointers are written in the BDCP table for the changes relevant to ALE.

IDoc Structure:

A message is defined for data that is exchanged between two systems. The message type is based on one or more IDoc structures.

Selection Program:

Is typically implemented as function modules, are designed to extract application data and create a master IDoc. A selection program exists for each message type. A selection program’s design depends on the triggering mechanism used in the process.

Filter Objects;

Filter Objects remove unwanted data for each recipient of the data basing on the recipients requirement.

Port Definition:

A port is used in an outbound process to define the medium in which documents are transferred to the destination system. ALE used a Transactional RFC port, which transfers data in memory buffers.

RFC Destination:

The RFC destination is a logical name used to define the characteristics of a communication link to a remote system on which a function needs to be executed.

Partner Profile:

A partner profile specifies the components used in an outbound process(logical name of the remote SAP system, IDoc Type, message type, TRFC port), an IDoc’s packet size, the mode in which the process sends an IDoc (batch versus immediate), and the person to be notified in case of error.

Service Programs and Configuration Tables:

The outbound process, being asynchronous, is essentially a sequence of several processes that work together. SAP provides service programs and configuration tables to link these programs and provide customizing options for an outbound process.

Process flow for Distributing Transactional Data:

Transactional data is distributed using two techniques: with Message control and without message control.

Process flow for Distributing Master Data:

Master data between SAP systems is distributed using two techniques: Stand alone Programs and Change Pointers.

Triggering the Outbound Process via Stand-Alone Programs:

Stand-Alone programs are started explicitly by a user to transmit data from one SAP system to another. Standard Programs for several master data objects exist in SAP. Ex. The material master data can be transferred using the RBDSEMAT program or transaction BD10.

The stand-alone programs provide a selection screen to specify the objects to be transferred and the receiving system. After the stand-alone program is executed, it calls the IDoc selection program with the specified parameters.

Triggering the Outbound Process via Change Pointers:

The change pointer technique is used to initiate the outbound process automatically when master data is created or changed.

A standard program, RBDMIDOC, is scheduled to run on a periodic basis to evaluate the change pointers for a message type and start the ALE process for distributing the master data to the appropriate destination. The RBDMIDOC program reads the table TBDME to determine the IDoc selection program for a message type.

Processing in the Application Layer:

The customer distribution model is consulted to make sure that a receiver has been defined for the message to be transmitted. If not, processing ends. If at least one receiver exists, the IDoc selection program reads the master data object from the database and creates a master IDoc from it. The master IDoc is stored in memory. The program then calls the ALE service layer by using the function module MASTER_IDOC_DISTRIBUTE, passing the master IDoc and the receiver information.

Processing in the ALE Interface Layer:

Processing in the ALE Layer consists of the following steps:

• Receiver Determination: The determination of the receiver is done through Customer Distribution Model.

• IDoc Filtering: if an IDoc filter is specified in the distribution model for a receiver, values in the filter are compared against the values in the IDoc data records. If a data record does not meet the filter criteria, it is dropped.

• Segment Filtering: For each sender and receiver combination, a set of segments that are not required can be filtered out.

• Field conversion: Field values in data records are converted by using the conversion rules specified for the segment.

• Version change for segments: Segments are version-controlled. A new version of a segment always contains fields from the preceding version and fields added for the new version. Release in IDoc type field of the partner profile to determine the version of the segment to be generated.

• Version change for IDocs: IDocs are also version controlled. The version is determined from the Basic Type field of the partner profile.

• Communication IDocs generated: The final IDoc generated for a receiver after all the conversions and filtering operations is the communication IDoc. One master IDoc can have multiple communication IDocs depending on the number of receivers identified and the filter operations performed. IDoc gets the status record with a status code of 01 (IDoc Created).

• Syntax check performed: IDoc goes through a syntax check and data integrity validation. If errors found the IDoc get the status of 26 (error during syntax check of IDoc – Outbound). If no errors found the IDoc gets the status 30 (IDoc ready for dispatch – ALE Service).

• IDoc dispatched to the communication Layer: In the ALE process, IDocs are dispatched using the asynchronous RFC method, which means that the sending system does not await for data to be received or processed on the destination system. After IDocs have been transferred to the communication layer, they get a status code 01 (Data Passed to Port OK).

Processing in the Communication Layer:

To dispatch an IDoc to a destination system, the system reads the port definition specified in the partner profile to determine the destination system, which is then used to read the RFC destination. The RFC destination contains communication settings to log o to the remote SAP system. The sending system calls the INBOUND_IDOC_PROCESS function module asynchronously on the destination system and passes the IDoc data via the memory buffers.

Inbound Process in IDocs:

An inbound process used IDoc structure, posting programs, filter objects, conversion rules, a partner profile, service programs, and configuration tables to post an application document from an IDoc.

Posting Program:

Posting programs, which are implemented as function modules, read data from an IDoc and create an application document from it. A posting program exists for each message. Each posting program is assigned a process code. A process code can point to a function module or a work flow. In the standard program process codes always point to a function module.

Ex. The posting program for message type MATMAS is IDOC_INPUT_MATMAS which has a process code MATM.

Workflow:

A workflow represents a sequence of customized steps to be carried out for a process. The workflow management system is used to model the sequence, identify information required to carry out the steps and identify the person responsible for the dialog steps.

Partner Profile;

A partner profile specifies the components used in an inbound process (partner number, message type, and process code), the mode in which IDocs are processed (batch versus immediate), and the person to be notified in case of errors.

Process flow for the Inbound process via a Function Module:

In this process, IDocs are received from another system and passed to the posting function module directly.

1. Processing in the communication Layer:

The IDOC_INBOUND_ASYCHRONOUS program, triggered as a result of an RFC from the sending system, acts as the entry point for all inbound ALE processes. The IDoc to be processed is passed as an input parameter. Control is transferred to the ALE/EDI layer.

2. Processing in the ALE/EDI Interface Layer:

• Basic integrity check: A basic integrity check is performed on the control record.

• Segment Filtering and conversion: Filtering out unwanted segments and carry out any required conversion of field values.

• Creation of Application IDoc: The application IDoc is created and stored in the database and a syntax check is performed. If there are errors it gets status code of 60 (Error during Syntax check of IDoc – Inbound). At this point a tangible IDoc, which can be monitored via one of the monitoring transactions, is created and the IDoc gets status code 50 (IDoc Added).

• IDoc Marked ready for Dispatch: IDoc gets the status code 64 (IDoc ready to be passed to application).

• IDoc is passed to the posting program: The partner profile table is read. If the value of the Processing field is set to Process Immediately, the IDoc is passed to the posting program immediately using the program RBDAPP01.

3. Processing in the Posting Module:

The process code in the partner profile points to a posting module for the specific message in the IDoc. The posting program implemented as a function module either calls a standard SAP transaction by using the Call Transaction command for posting the document or invokes a direct input function module.

The results of execution are passed back via the function module’s output parameters. If the posting is successful IDoc gets the status code 53 (Application Document Posted) or it gets status code 51 (Error: Application Document Not Posted).

Regards.

Former Member · ‎01-10-2008

Hi,

ALE IDOC

Sending System(Outbound ALE Process)

Tcode SALE - for

a) Define Logical System

b) Assign Client to Logical System

Tcode SM59-RFC Destination

Tcode BD64 - Create Model View

Tcode BD82 - Generate partner Profiles & Create Ports

Tcode BD64 - Distribute the Model view

Message Type MATMAS

Tcode BD10 - Send Material Data

Tcode WE05 - Idoc List for watching any Errors

Receiving System(Inbound ALE )

Tcode SALE - for

a) Define Logical System

b) Assign Client to Logical System

Tcode SM59-RFC Destination

Tcode BD64 - Check for Model view whether it has distributed or not

Tcode BD82 -- Generate partner Profiles & Create Ports

Tcode BD11 Getting Material Data

Tcode WE05 - Idoc List for inbound status codes

ALE IDOC Steps

Sending System(Outbound ALE Process)

Tcode SALE ?3 for

a) Define Logical System

b) Assign Client to Logical System

Tcode SM59-RFC Destination

Tcode BD64 - Create Model View

Tcode BD82 - Generate partner Profiles & Create Ports

Tcode BD64 - Distribute the Model view

This is Receiving system Settings

Receiving System(Inbound ALE )

Tcode SALE - for

a) Define Logical System

b) Assign Client to Logical System

Tcode SM59-RFC Destination

Tcode BD64 - Check for Model view whether it has distributed or not

Tcode BD82 -- Generate partner Profiles & Create Ports

Tcode BD11 Getting Material Data

Tcode WE05 - Idoc List for inbound status codes

Message Type MATMAS

Tcode BD10 - Send Material Data

Tcode WE05 - Idoc List for watching any Errors

1)a Goto Tcode SALE

Click on Sending & Receiving Systems-->Select Logical Systems

Here Define Logical Systems---> Click on Execute Button

go for new entries

1) System Name : ERP000

Description : Sending System

2) System Name : ERP800

Description : Receiving System

press Enter & Save

it will ask Request

if you want new request create new Request orpress continue for transfering the objects

B) goto Tcode SALE

Select Assign Client to Logical Systems-->Execute

000--> Double click on this

Give the following Information

Client : ERP 000

City :

Logical System

Currency

Client role

Save this Data

Step 2) For RFC Creation

Goto Tcode SM59-->Select R/3 Connects

Click on Create Button

RFC Destination Name should be same as partner's logical system name and case sensitive to create the ports automatically while generating the partner profiles

give the information for required fields

RFC Destination : ERP800

Connection type: 3

Description

Target Host : ERP000

System No:000

lan : EN

Client : 800

User : Login User Name

Password:

save this & Test it & RemortLogin

3)

Goto Tcode BD64 -- click on Change mode button

click on create moduleview

short text : xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Technical Neme : MODEL_ALV

save this & Press ok

select your just created modelview Name :'MODEL_ALV'.

goto add message type

Model Name : MODEL_ALV

sender : ERP000

Receiver : ERP800

Message type :MATMAS

save & Press Enter

4) Goto Tcode BD82

Give Model View : MODEL_ALV

Partner system : ERP800

execute this by press F8 Button

it will gives you sending system port No :A000000015(Like)

5) Goto Tcode BD64

seelct the modelview

goto ~~>edit~~>modelview-->distribute

press ok & Press enter

6)goto Tcode : BD10 for Material sending

Material : mat_001

Message Type : MATMAS

Logical System : ERP800

and Execute

7)goto Tcode : BD11 for Material Receiving

Material : mat_001

Message Type : MATMAS

and Execute --> 1 request idoc created for message type Matmas

press enter

Here Master Idoc set for Messge type MATMAS-->press Enter

1 Communication Idoc generated for Message Type

this is your IDOC

Regarding creation of idoc:

http://www.supinfo-projects.com/cn/2005/idocs_en/2/

EDI FLOW :

Here is some thing which helps you and here the purchase order is taken as example too..

Electronic Data Interchange, or EDI, is the electronic exchange of business data. Using a standard format, EDI provides a method of transmitting business data from one computer to another, without the need to re-key data. This electronic link can result in more effective business transactions. With EDI, paper documents such as invoices can be replaced with electronic transmissions, thus time is saved, and the potential for error is minimized. Data can be exchanged at any time. Related business expenses, such as postage, printing, phone calls, and handling, can also be significantly reduced. EDI can aid in the support of manufacturing efforts, such as Just-in-Time and Third Party Warehousing, and financial efforts, such as Electronic Payments.

What parts of the business cycle can be supported by EDI?

Any business documents that are currently exchanged using paper can be converted to an EDI. Standards. Standards include ANSI X12 and XML/EDI are primarily used in the United States, while EDIFACT is used in Europe and Asia.

How does EDI get started?

EDI gets started when one company contacts another expressing interest in trading business documents electronically using Electronic Data Interchange. The two companies must first determine each other's EDI capabilities. If you do not already know your EDI capabilities, we have prepared a questionnaire to help you determine them. If you are already EDI capable, we will coordinate with your technical staff to determine a testing plan. Upon completion of testing the EDI documents, the appropriate business personnel will set a production start date to begin the exchange of EDI business data. If you are not EDI capable, we recommend you first obtain a commitment from your upper management. Your company will need to allocate resources and capital for software, hardware, testing, possible programming, and training.

What is the flow of EDI?

The flow of EDI depends on the sophistication of your systems and your EDI software. If you have internal purchasing/order entry systems, you will need interface programs that can extract and insert data out of and into these systems. EDI programs that interface with your internal systems are preferred over software that requires re-keying of data. Embassy Software specializes in seemless interface between EDI and your back office systems. Using a purchase order as an example of a business document your customer would send that PO electronically (850) to you. It could be sent either through a VAN (Value Added Network) or through an FTP server. You would take that 850 and convert it either into and ODBC database, a flat file or XML document to be imported into your Order System with the use of EDI Software such as PassportXchange.. Using EDI communication software, which is part of the PassportXchange package you would pull down data at set intervals from the VAN or FTP. These documents are then processed through EDI translation software and output to our order entry system. Finally, an EDI document called a functional acknowledgment (997) is sent to your customer.

check this.