Electronic data interchange

Introduction

Electronic Data Interchange is the use of internationally recognized uniform standard format data, automatic exchange and automatic processing of data between each unit computer through a communication network, referred to as EDI. This is a new data communication services for trade, transport, insurance, banking and customs and other industries, auto-complete with all trade-centric business processes.

function

EDI system is divided according to their function consists of four parts, as shown in FIG. And message generation is a process command from a user or other information systems and information generated by EDI message EDI standard manner. EDI systems or other EDI message is transferred according to the different types of processing required to accommodate the other local file system processing request information, EDI message format conversion is required for transmission of EDI structured by the process, including compression grammatical , nested, and transcoding the syntax EDI control, or the received EDI structured as unstructured text processing, so that the internal management of local information for further processing. EDI application communication module is a communication network system and the EDI interface, performs the call, automatically issued, the address conversion, error correction, and the like conveying the recording, after the user to receive EDI messages, review and confirmation. EDI interface module is the interface to the user and the system, or other information, and the local management system or database interfaces.

standardized

To enable the parties to communicate a unified data exchange standard data content and format of the EDI can be developed into a universal business tool, the need to develop international standards. CCITT Recommendation expansion X. Email communication system supports EDI 400, which is configured to international standards:

① using store and forward techniques to meet the exchange EDI standard business data. Meanwhile X. 400 standard be expanded to accommodate the protocol type information element is compatible with the service.

② inter-personal communication systems similar to the design (the IPMS) (see e-mail) message's EDI communications system (EDIMS). Using EDI messaging system (MTS) is similar to the IPMS. EDIMS will also have EDI user agent (EDI-UA) and EDI message storage (EDIMS), i.e., maintaining the architecture of the IPMS.

③ design is similar to the message processing system in the P2 protocol used between EDI-UA. While providing the services required to exchange EDI save the basic properties of the element.

④ Each EDI message contains at most an EDI exchange, and the additional information is stored in the first paragraph of the portion of electrically style, the body portion can be used to save the remaining segments related.

advantage

4.1 quickly and accurately

In the international and domestic trade activities using the EDI business, electronic document exchange to replace the traditional paper trade documents (such as orders, invoices, invoices) both the use of a unified international standard format documents by electronic means trade data accurately and rapidly transferred from one to the other, is standard trade in developed countries generally adopted "paperless trade instruments", WTO members must also promote the use and future.

4.2 convenient and efficient

using EDI business can be the raw material procurement and manufacturing, ordering and inventory, market demand and sales and finance, insurance, transportation, customs and other business organically combined set of advanced technology and scientific management as a whole, which greatly improves the working efficiency, laid the foundation for the realization of the "golden customs" project. EDI system is safe and reliable in every aspect of the establishment of the concept of responsibility, access to information on every aspect of have a clear sign, confirming requirements in order to audit responsibilities, tracking, detection provide a reliable guarantee. The security and confidentiality of the EDI system is widely used password encryption technology, to provide protection against traffic analysis, anti-counterfeiting, anti-denial and other security services.

reducing the number of duplication of effort, improve work efficiency. If there is no EDI system, even highly computerized companies often need to re-enter information outside the company's computers. Survey showed that up to 70% of the data need to enter other computers, time-consuming and error-prone data from a computer output. EDI can make trade both parties to trade in a more rapid and effective manner, greatly simplifies the process of ordering or inventory, so that they can promptly take full advantage of their human and material resources. After the American DEC company applied the EDI, the inventory period shortened from five days to three days, cost per order 125 from the United States. Bilateral trade relations can be improved through EDI, manufacturers can accurately estimate the amount of future commodity sought, freight forwarders can simplify the large number of export paperwork, businesses can improve inventory efficiency and greatly improve their competitiveness.

4.3 cost

EDI system specification information processing program, an information transfer process without human intervention, to improve the At the same time the reliability of the information, greatly reducing the cost. Hong Kong has calculated the benefits of EDI, EDI can enhance the commercial use of file transfer rate of 81%, reduce document costs by 44%, reduce errors and omissions business losses caused by 41%, reduce document processing costs by 38%.

reduced the consumption of paper. According to a survey of the United Nations Organization, once the import and export trade, the two sides exchange takes nearly 200 documents and forms, their paper, drafting, printing and error may cause the total cost of about 7% and other goods prices. According to statistics, the US General Motors With EDI, each car can save production cost of $ 250, according to generate 5 million a year, could generate $ 1.25 billion in economic benefits.

4.4 difference mailbox

EDI technology is a natural evolution of e-mail technology, e-mail application and development of greatly improved people of office efficiency, will desire it used in commercial transactions to promote the development of EDI technology.

EDI and E-mail. From the perspective of communication is, EDI and electronic mail are similar, but they also have a more obvious distinction. Such as e-mail through the exchange of people linked to the network, can exchange information between man and man through the switching network quickly and accurately, and it is through the exchange of EDI network linking the two computer systems, such as the import and export of clothing the company's computer system to contact the Customs computer system together, in order to streamline customs procedures. So, EDI is passed through the exchange of business information between computer networks. Further, different e-mail and other large EDI is, the information storage and transmission of e-mail information between the user (human), as long as people can read such information can not required to have a certain format (of course, you when using e-mail is best to add the letters in front of and behind the congratulatory call, otherwise, the person might have opinions). The EDI communication is not the same, the two sides EDI communication is the computer, he says that the essence is the software on your computer. Software can not people are so clever, what format can understand, the communication between the software needs to be formatted information content, moreover, EDI communication is primarily aimed at trade documents and reports, the formatting information possible, and this is EDI another e-mail is different.

As an example, e-mail is transmitted with ordinary mail, EDI file is transferred, a table, but no matter what kind of information is transmitted to the content should be delivered content envelope loading, written on the delivery address, paste the full stamp, thrown into the mailbox. That communication process is the same.

simple data exchange system between EDI is not a user, EDI user needs to send a message in accordance with internationally accepted message format, the receiving side needs to grammatical rules in accordance with international provisions, the message is processed, and cause other EDI integrated treatment of related systems, the whole process is done automatically, without human intervention, reduce errors and improve efficiency. For example, a plant using EDI systems, it receives orders from the user sum EDI format through a computer communications network, the plant's EDI system then checks the purchase order to meet the requirements and the facility of receiving order, then the user to send an acknowledgment back information. Factory orders EDI system according to the requirements of check stock, if necessary, issue orders to EDI-related components and ancillary equipment manufacturers; booking of vehicles, containers and space to the rail, shipping, aviation and other sectors; and the way the insurance company to EDI Contact Customs and apply for insurance procedures and export formalities; open EDI invoice to the user; the same bank accounts, etc. to be settled EDI. From ordering, checking inventory and spare parts orders, handle the relevant procedures and issuing invoices and so the whole process done automatically by the computer, fast and accurate.

Applications

With EDI, traditional paper documents would be replaced with electronic documents, thereby generating a new way of an electronic commerce business. EDI is the most important feature is the way electronic data market demand and sales, raw material supply, manufacturing, insurance, banking and currency exchange, customs declaration and cargo transport and other links in the chain of trade organically linked. In addition, also applies to non-commercial services, such as family services, its covering aviation tickets, stock market, encyclopedias, weather forecasting, shopping guides and education.