EDI Glossary

Find here descriptions to the most important technical terms when it comes to Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). For further information please contact us by phone +43/1/505 86 02 or e-mail to info@editel.at.

A

ACCOUNT: An eXite® account refers to a company that uses the eXite® service. One account can include several → inboxes.
ACCOUNTING: Accounting is the process of billing for services.
ACCOUNTING DATA: Refers to information about volumes for billing purposes.
AES: Advanced Encryption Standard. One of the many standards for securing data during transmission by encrypting it.
ALIAS NAME: This term is used when the name of the original company for which the Physical Box was established changes or when subsidiaries are added to the parent company for which the Physical Box was established so that messages can be received and sent through the parent company. Logical mailboxes, which must belong to a certain Physical mailbox, are thus designated.
APERAK: APERAK (Application Error and Acknowledgment Message) is a confirmation message sent from the party that received the original message to the party that issued the original message as confirmation for the message issuer that the original message was received by the recipient's application or to confirm and list errors that occurred during processing within the application.
AS1, AS2, AS3, AS4: AS2 (Applicability Statement 2) is a communication protocol used for electronic data exchange between business partners based on the HTTP protocol using the S/MIME standard. This protocol can run in two modes, synchronous and asynchronous. When setting up communication using this protocol, it is necessary to inform the counterparty in which mode the communication is expected to take place.
ASN: ASN (Advanced Shipping Notice) is a notification of pending deliveries. An ASN usually provides information on the time of shipment and characteristics about the shipment so that the customer can be prepared to accept the delivery. It is an essential part of just-in-time processes. It is implemented e.g. by the EDIFACT DESADV message, VDA 4987 or X12 EDI 856 standards.
Asynchronous: Asynchronous communication is when the message is sent without expecting an immediate response. In contrast, synchronous – or real-time – communication is when the message is sent, recipient processes the information and responds immediately.
Audit trail: A digital or manual record of transactions.
AUTACK: AUTACK (Authorization Acknowledgment) is a message authenticating sent, or providing secure acknowledgement of received interchanges, groups, messages or packages. A secure authentication and acknowledgement message can be used to: give secure authentication, integrity or non-repudiation of origin to messages, packages, groups or interchanges. During processing, two statuses are used depending on the result of the electronic signature check. If the signature could not be verified, the check was not correct, so the message is not accepted into the system and a negative AUTACK message is sent stating that an error was found during the signature check.

B

Bar code: A series of rectangular bars and spaces in a predetermined pattern. It is generally used for the automatic identification of products or deliveries.
BIG DATA: These are larger and complex data sets, mainly from new sources and databases, without a unified structure, the size of which is beyond the ability for commonly used software tools to capture, analyze, manage and process. in a reasonable amount of time. These huge volumes of data can be used to solve business problems that were previously unsolvable.
BMR: BMR (Business Monitoring and Reporting) or the ability to monitor the entire business case from the order, via delivery notes, receipts, invoices, confirmation messages, etc. to the payment notification with automatic sending of defined reports.
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE: Business Intelligence (BI) is used to integrate and process data from all possible data sources and subsequently provide relevant and immediate information about the functioning of the company, generating predefined or ad hoc reports. It allows users to publish information for strategic and operational decision-making in various intranet or extranet scorecards or dashboards. It is a powerful analytical tool that can create a report on internal processes in a matter of seconds, which will increase control over data and business agility.

C

CAD/CAM: CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) is used for high-precision product design, modeling and creation. CAD files and CAM files can also be exchanged electronically and in an automated way via EDI.
CALDEL: CALDEL (Call delivery) is an ODETTE-defined EDI message based on the EDIFACT DELJIT (DELivery Just In Time) standard. It contains short-term delivery instructions for just-in-time delivery to the assembly line.
CCF: eXitePRO - CCF is an EDI clearing center provided by EDITEL. It was specifically developed for the automotive industries. The service offers a connection to the most important VANs and supports all current EDI standards such as EDIFACT, ODETTE, VDA or X12 and message formats used by ERP and WMS vendors such as XML, IDoc, positional text files or csv.
CEFACT: Also known as UN/CEFACT. The United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business.
CHARACTER SET: Character set refers to the script used by the recipient or sender. If different character sets are used (e.g. Latin or Cyrillic character sets), messages will be changed to a standard format.
CI: CI (Competitive Intelligence) is competitive intelligence, i.e. identification, monitoring, competitive and critical analysis and search for competitors' weaknesses.
CIDX: CIDX (Chemical Industry Data Exchange) acts as a standards organization that supports and maintains Chem eStandards for standardized message exchange. Chem eStandards define XML Document Type Definitions (DTDs) that describe the content of a service in a message exchanged between systems. The message structure is the same as the RNIF 1.1 RosettaNet object, with differences in the service content and some header values. If there is a match between the CIDX standards and RosettaNet messages, the CIDX standard will adopt the RosettaNet element names and data structures.
CII: CII (Cross Industry Invoice) is a technical specification that can be used to create a message syntax that can be exchanged globally between trading partners. It was developed at UN/CEFACT with the input of many trade organizations such as GS1, EUROFER, CIDX, EDIFICE, AIAG/ODETTE/JAMA, GHX, UK e-Government, UK HM Customs & Excise and EDS.
CLOUD: is the provision of services or programs stored on the provider's servers, which the customer (user) accesses remotely and basically from anywhere. Cloud users typically do not pay for their own technology, i.e., for the purchase of hardware and software, but for its use. There are three main types of as-a-Service solutions: IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
Cloud-Service-Provider: A cloud service provider is a third-party company that offers a cloud-based platform and infrastructure as well as cloud-based applications and storage services. Similar to how a homeowner would pay for electricity or gas from a utility company, businesses typically only have to pay for the amount of cloud services they actually use according to their business needs.
COMDIS: COMDIS (Commercial Dispute) is a notice of commercial dispute against one or more INVOIC messages (e.g., commercial invoice, credit note, etc.) usually raised by the buyer to inform the supplier that something has been found to be wrong with the INVOIC message (incorrect price, wrong identification of goods, undelivered or wrongly delivered goods...) which describes in detail the goods delivered or the services provided.
Conditional (C): A term for a data element requirement that indicates that the presence of a particular data element is dependent on the value or presence of other data elements in the segment. The condition must be specified and it must be capable of being processed by the computer.
CONFIRMATION: Confirmation that the message was delivered. As part of eXite® online services, eXite® users have the option to choose whether they want to receive EDIFACT or XML messages confirming the delivery or forwarding of messages via e-mail.
CONNECT:DIRECT: Connect:Direct (originally called NDM - Network Data Mover) is a computer software product that transfers files between mainframes and/or midrange computers. It was developed for mainframe computers and other platforms were added as the product grew. NDM was renamed Connect:Direct in 1993 following the acquisition of Systems Center, Inc. by Sterling Software. In 1996, Sterling Software took a public spin-off into a new entity called Sterling Commerce, which consisted of Communications Software Group and Sterling EDI Network. In 2010, IBM acquired Sterling Commerce.
CONTRL: CONTRL (Control) is a confirmation message that checks the correctness of the syntax of the given document, which confirms or rejects the received EDI exchange or creates a message with an indication of syntax errors.
Control structure: The start and end segments (header and trailer) for units in EDI.
Conversion: The process of converting information to and from standard EDI formats.
Converter: A programme used to convert information from a text file format to an EDI format or from an EDI format to a text file format.
CPFR: Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment. An industry initiative that aims to improve the partnership between manufacturers and retailers/distributors by sharing information.
CREMUL: CREMUL (Credit Multiple - mass credit advice) is a report according to the EDIFACT standard which contains all the information the bank has about the amounts credited to the customer's account and can contain many credit records, each of which can contain several transactions. The message can be used to automatically offset open records in the debtors' system based on information from the sender of the payment.
CSV: CSV (Comma-separated values) is a text file with separators. It most often uses a comma to separate values, but it is preferable to use a semicolon as a separator so that commas can be used as a decimal separator for numeric values. Each line of the file is a data record and consists of one or more fields separated by a delimiter. CSV files usually store tabular data (numbers and text) as plain text, in which case each row has the same number of fields.

D

Data encryption: Data encryption is a method of encoding data (messages or files) so that only authorised persons can read or access this data. The encryption software uses complex algorithms to encrypt the data sent. Once received, the data can be decrypted using a key provided by the sender of the message.
Data validation: The correctness of the content of a document can be guaranteed by appropriate validations. For example, mathematical (e.g. totals checks, percentage checks), commercial (e.g. correct tax rate) and individual (e.g. comparison with price catalogue) validations are carried out.
DEBMUL: DEBMUL (MULTiple DEBit Advice Message) is a message sent by the financial institution managing the account to the account holder or a third party who has bilaterally agreed in advance that a certain amount (amounts) has been or will be debited from their account (accounts) on the specified due date when settling the referenced business transaction(s). Multiple debit advices can be used for both national and international applications. It is based on universal practice related to administration, commerce and transport and does not depend on the type of business or industry.
DELFOR: DELFOR (Delivery Forecast and Instruction - delivery plan) is a report in line with to the EDIFACT standard used for ordering processes in the automotive sector. It is sent by the customer to the supplier and is used to specify the schedule and requirements for delivery dates, quantities, packaging, etc., usually with a semi-annual or, at the most, annual time frame.
Delimiter: These form an essential part of the transmitted data stream and consist of two levels of delimiters and a closing character. Delimiters are specified in the interchange header. From the highest to the lowest level, the separators and the end character are: segment end character, data element separator and component element separator (only used in EDIFACT).
DELINS: DELINS (Delivery Instructions) is a report in line with the EDIFACT standard designed to specify the delivery of a part. It serves to supplement the recall plan (DELFOR). The use of this report facilitates order fulfillment as it provides the customer with a mechanism to create an accurate delivery schedule and for more frequent deliveries than using DELFOR reports, typically weekly delivery planning.
DELJIS: DELJIS (Delivery Just in Sequence) is a message in line with the EDIFACT standard intended for the transmission of instructions to the supplier about the exact sequence of deliveries and requirements for the place of delivery in the Just In Sequence (JIS) mode. It is used to supplement the supply plan (DELFOR). The use of this message facilitates the implementation of JIS orders, as it provides the customer with a mechanism to create an accurate delivery schedule in a 24-hour-a-day mode and with more frequent deliveries than in the case of DELFOR messages, e.g., with the frequency of daily delivery planning and mainly according to the production line schedule.
DELJIT: DELJIT (Delivery Just in time) is an EDIFACT message used to instruct the supplier about the precise delivery sequence and just-in-time schedule requirements. It is also meant to supplement the Delivery Schedule Message (DELFOR). The use of this message will facilitate the practice of just-intime (JIT) delivery by providing the customer with a mechanism to issue precise shipping schedule requirements in terms of a 24-hour clock and on a more frequent basis than with the instance of a delivery schedule message, e.g. daily shipping schedules versus weekly planning schedules.
DESADV: DESADV (DESpatch ADVice) is an EDIFACT message that covers the ASN process and is sent from supplier to customer about materials and parts being physically delivered. It usually arrives before goods are physically delivered to the storehouse or assembly line so that customers can better plan their unloading capacities and production.
Digital Archiving: The GoBD stipulates that documents subject to retention requirements must be stored in an electronic archiving system. They also define the retention periods. The 10-year period applies to most documents (e.g. invoices). The archiving criteria include Traceability and verifiability, completeness, accuracy, order, immutability, protection against loss and timely posting and recording.
DIRDEB: DIRDEB (DIRect DEBit Message). Before collection begins, certain contracts would usually be concluded, for example, a contract between the creditor and its bank (in particular on specifying the terms of the loan and the type of collection), an agreement between the Borrower and the Borrower's bank (i.e. pre-authorization and the condition of collection), or between the Creditor and the Borrower . Collection is sent by the creditor to the creditor's bank, instructing it to claim a certain amount from the debtor(s) and credit the amount(s) to the account specified in the report, which the creditor's bank serves to settle the referenced transactions. Throughout this document, the term "creditor" refers to the beneficiary, similarly, the term "debtor" refers to either the principal or the payer. The term "bank" can be interpreted as any financial institution. The term "pre-authorization" refers to an agreement between the lender and the borrower either to write off automatically as requested or to write off unless the borrower opts out within a certain period. The agreement can also be concluded between the borrower and his bank, regardless of the amount of DIRDEB.

E

E-GOVERNMENT: E-Government is the use of technological communication devices such as computers and the Internet to provide public services to citizens and others in a country or region. E-government offers new opportunities for more direct and convenient access of citizens to the government and for the provision of services by the government directly to citizens. The term consists of digital interactions between a citizen and their government (C2G), between governments and other government agencies (G2G), between government and citizens (G2C), between government and employees (G2E), and between government and businesses/businesses (G2B).
E-MOBILITY: Electromobility, simply put, is movement using electrical energy or the operation of means of transport with an electric drive. This term includes the operation of electric cars , electric bikes, electric motorcycles, and also mass transportation, such as electric trains, trams, subways, trolleybuses, electric buses, electric ships or electric airplanes. Together with renewable energy, electromobility is part of the transport infrastructure that helps mitigate human-induced climate change, which is a prerequisite for sustainable development.
EAI: EAI (English Enterprise Application Integration) is the process of connecting such applications within one organization in order to simplify and automate business processes as much as possible, while avoiding the need to make extensive changes to existing applications or data structures. Applications can be connected either on the backend via an API or (rarely) on the frontend (GUI).
EAN: Trademark for the identification and bar coding system administered by the International Article Numbering Association (EAN).
EANCOM®: EANCOM® (European Article Number Communication) is a subset of the internationally standardized UN/EDIFACT reporting standard. EANCOM® is based on the GS1 numbering system for the physical identification of products, address (company) and logistic units (GTIN [Global Trade Item Number], GLN [Global Location Number] and SSCC [Serial Shipping Container Code]). It is the most widespread and internationally unique standard format for the electronic exchange of business documents (EDI=Electronic Data Interchange). Further information can be found at www.gs1.at
ebMS: ebXML messaging services. The secure, reliable method for transferring electronic data as defined in the ebXML specifications. This method can utilise various low-level transmission protocols, such as HTTP and SMTP
EBXML: ebXML (Electronic Business using eXtensible Markup Language) is a family of XML-based standards supported by OASIS and UN/CEFACT whose mission is to provide an open XML-based infrastructure that enables the global use of electronic business information in an interoperable, secure and consistent manner by all trading partners. The ebXML work built on earlier work on ooEDI (object-oriented EDI), UML/UMM, XML markup technologies, and the X.12 EDI "Future Vision" work sponsored by ANSI X.12 EDI.
ECODEX: The eBusiness platform ECODEX (Electronic Commercial Data Exchange) is the predecessor of the eXite® Business Integration Network by EDITEL used today.
EDI: Electronic data interchange. The transfer of business information between two computers using standardised message formats recognised by the industry.
EDI conversation: The conversion of application data from and into a standard format.
EDIFACT: UN/EDIFACT (United Nations/Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport) is a global inter-industry EDI message standard for electronic data interchange developed by the United Nations in the late 80s. UN / EDIFACT is used mainly in the FMCG sector, but also in the automotive industry and includes more than 200 different types of messages. It is used by hundreds of thousands of companies around the world.
ENGDAT: ENGDAT (Engineering Data Message) is an EDI standard used for the electronic exchange of CAD files (Computer-Aided Design).
ENVELOPE: Every EDI message can be identified by its envelope, which usually includes address information. Envelopes can be in either EDIFACT or in XML format.
ERP: ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) System to integrate internal business processes and resources. It helps understand customers better, manufacture more efficiently, and deliver quality products on-time and within budget.
EVENT: Events are actions taken during an eXite® session, such as sending EDI messages.
Event-Driven EDI: The applications and the converter exchange messages as soon as they have been created or received.
eXite®: eXite® Business Integration Network is a highly available eBusiness platform that allows users to automatically handle all supply-chain related processes (including electronic orders, despatch advices, invoices, receipts of merchandise, returns processing, sales reports, inventory reports, logistics information, bank transfers, payment notices, bank account statements, master data). More than 20,000 companies in Central and Eastern Europe use this centralized platform for exchanging electronic business documents. Every year, more than 400 million transactions are handled via eXite®.
eXite® INTERCHANGE ID: The eXite® INTERCHANGE ID is a unique six-digit number assigned by eXite® and used for identifying → interchanges.
eXite® ONLINE SERVICES: In the eXite® Online Services eXite® users receive information about their mailbox as well as the status of the EDI messages sent.
eXite® TAG ID: eXite® TAG ID is used to match and retrieve →sessions and →events in an eXite® session.

F

FIN: The SWIFT FIN is a store-and-forward system based on message transmission. FIN is the most widely used messaging mechanism on SWIFTNet today. This mechanism is used by companies for liquidity risk management purposes.
FINPAY: FINPAY (Multiple interbank funds transfer message) is a message between financial institutions, where a multiple interbank funds transfer message is sent with a request to transfer funds during the settlement of reference business transactions. The FINPAY message can be exchanged directly between financial institutions or through a settlement system. Depending on the account relationship between financial institutions, FINPAY can be used as a payment order and/or as a credit advice. FINPAY can also be used for direct debits, documentary letters of credit, direct debits and other transfers related to financial institutions. The Multiple Interbank Funds Transfer report can be used for both domestic and international applications. It is based on universal practice related to administration, commerce and transport and does not depend on the type of business or industry.
FTP: FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a client-server protocol that relies on two communication channels between client and server. It is an old protocol which should not be used for mission-critical applications. FTP/S is a secured extension that adds an SSL/TLS security layer.
Functional Acknowledgement: A transaction record sent by the recipient of an EDI transmission to the sender, indicating the receipt and syntactical correctness of a message. This acknowledgement does not refer to the content of the message, but merely states that the message has been successfully received and interpreted. This confirmation is often referred to or abbreviated as "FA".

G

GATEWAYS: Gateways are used to exchange electronic data of third parties connected to eXite® network.
GCI: Global Commerce Initiative. This international industry user group identifies the problems that affect supply chain performance and recommends possible global solutions for data, messages, processes and the associated requirements. These solutions are then submitted to standardisation organisations such as GS1 for implementation.
GDD: Global Data Dictionary: A GS1 standard with which all potential attributes of an article can be defined. These attributes include, for example, dimensions, brand information, logistical information, etc.
GDS: Global Data Synchronisation (GDS) is an ongoing business process that enables continuous data exchange between trading partners to ensure synchronised information.
GDSN: Global Data Synchronisation Network. Provides a framework in which all data pools can communicate and seamlessly exchange data.
GLN: GLNs (Global Location Numbers) are used to identify addresses (physically or legally) that must be clearly defined within the supply chain. These 13-digit identification numbers contain a basic GS1 number followed by a site-specific number and a check digit. Through GLN, physical locations and legal entities can be clearly identified, which is a prerequisite for electronic trading between business partners (e.g., Electronic Data Interchange (=EDI), which is the electronic exchange of master data). Additional information is available at www.gs1.at
GS1: GS1 is a global standards organization that develops and maintains logistics standards (item numbers, unit numbers, site numbers, pallet marking, RFID, EDI messages, etc.). Additional information is available at www.gs1.at.
GSMP: Global Standards Management Process. The development body for global data synchronisation standards within GS1. The GSMP is open to industry participants and solution providers and provides the process for the development of business requirements and global standards for technical implementations.
GTIN: A GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is used to identify a trade item, whereby a trade item is considered a consumer, business or logistics unit or service to which certain master data relates and which can be priced, ordered, or invoiced at any point in the logistics chain. Standard numerical structures GTIN-8, GTIN-13, GTIN-14 (or the American GTIN-12) are used to identify business items. The data carrier of this basic identification can be a wide portfolio of standard 1D and 2D symbols or EPC/RFID tags, which must be clearly defined within the supply chain. These identification numbers consist of a base GS1 number followed by a number specific to the relevant organizational item and a check digit. Additional information is available at www.gs1.at.
GTL: GTL (English Global Transport Label) is used to identify each container and handling unit (i.e., an individual container connected to a global label identifying a pallet) in the automotive industry. The packaging structure, including the use of mixed pallets, is usually defined in the contract between the supplier and the customer's plant. For more information, visit www.odette.org.

H

HANMOV: HANMOV (Cargo/goods handling and movement message) is used to specify the movement of goods within a specific warehouse or distribution center and is usually sent by the customer to a logistics partner or distribution center. This type of message is used for warehouse movements between logical warehouses or warehouse centers (e.g., moving goods to a warehouse of damaged goods). Furthermore, this report can also be used for so-called "kitting," which means packing several types of goods into the final product (often usedin pharmacies, among others).
HIPPA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. A set of regulations passed by the US Congress in 1996.
HTTP: HTTP/HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol / Secure) is a request-response protocol for web communication that also supports the TLS encryption method. It forms the basis of B2B communication protocols such as AS2, WS-SOAP or REST.
Hub: EDI term for a company that initiates a B2B programme with its trading partners, usually a purchasing company.

I

IDOC: Stands for "Intermediate Document" and is a standard data structure for electronic data exchange between application programmes for the SAP system or between an SAP application and an external programme. IDOCs are used in SAP's ALE (Application Link Enabling) system for data transfer.
IDOC: IDoc (Intermediate Document) is an internal format (INHOUSE FILE) of documents for SAP ERP data transfers. IDoc is similar to XML in purpose, but differs in syntax. While XML allows you to have some metadata about the document itself, IDoc is required to have information such as: its creator, creation time, etc. in its header. While XML has a tree structure in the form of tags containing data and metadata, IDoc uses a table with data and metadata. IDocs also have a session that describes all the processes the document has gone through or will go through, allowing you to track and debug the status of the document.
IFTMAN: IFTMAN (Arrival notice message) is sent by the provider of forwarding/transportation services to the recipient of the shipment, including details about its delivery. The message can also be used as a delivery confirmation. Each message always corresponds to one shipment.
IFTMIN: IFTMIN (Transport Instruction) is a message according to the EDIFACT standard inwhich the sender issues an instruction regarding forwarding or transport services for the shipment, under agreed conditions, for the party contracting the forwarding or transport services.
IMAP: It allows access to e-mails wherever the user is, from any device. When users read an e-mail message using the IMAP protocol, the message is not actually downloaded and stored on the computer, but is read from the e-mail service. This allows users to check their email anywhere in the world using different devices such as phone, computer, tablet, etc.
INCOMING TRANSFER FILE: Data set transferred to the recipient via the eXite® service.
INHOUSE: In-house files are universal carriers of data content that corresponds to a given EDI document format that is exchanged between partners. In-house files can be imported into or exported from the ERP system (for example in csv, txt, XML... formats) and are typically internal formats of ERP.
INSDES: INSDES (Instruction to Despatch - instruction for delivery) is a message in line with the EDIFACT standard used by the sender to inform the business partner (usually a logistics service provider) managing the ordered goods about the required removal and delivery of the goods to the final recipient according to the instructions given. This message can also be used to provide information from the supplier to the buyer about the request for dispatch (delivery) of previously ordered goods. The message also allows users to send instructions for the delivery of goods to multiple delivery points within one document. This report can also be used to identify goods, delivery locations, delivery dates, and other information such as parties involved or delivery conditions. To identify the goods, GTIN codes or pallet marking with the serial code of the logistics unit SSCC are used in the case of deliveries by pallets. GLN global localization codes are used to identify the parties involved.
INTERCHANGE: Interchange refers to the information package of EDI messages (in EDIFACT format: UNB to UNZ), such as for example an order or an invoice.
Interchange Envelope: Special data transmission information in the header and trailer segment that represents an exchange between a single transmitter and a single receiver; ISA/IEA-approved.
INTERCHANGE ID: → eXite Interchange-ID
INVOIC: INVOIC (invoice) is a message in line with the EDIFACT standard used to exchange billing information, usually sent by a supplier to a customer. In the field of fast-moving goods, it is quite often accompanied by an electronic signature, while in the automotive industry, the self-billing option (invoice issued by the customer on behalf of the supplier) is widespread.
INVRPT: INVRPT (Inventory Report) is a report in line with the EDIFACT standard, which is sent by the customer to the supplier, intended to transmit information about the current, planned, or target status of the goods in the customer's stores or warehouses. The report contains information on the stock status of individual products in individual locations as well as data on the quantity of goods sold or, conversely, newly received. In the report, the customer can also indicate the ordered quantity and information about the movement of goods (e.g., the quantity of returns, additionally requested goods or a comparison of quantities ordered and received). In the automotive industry, on the other hand, with this message, the supplier informs the customer how much material or products they have in stock from the original recall as a control mechanism.
IoT: IoT (Internet of Things) is a "network" of physical electronic devices of cars, household appliances, mobile phones and other devices equipped with software, sensors or sensors and network connectivity. This network connectivity allows such devices to interconnect and exchange data.

J

JIS: JIS (Just in sequence) is an inventory strategy which advances the JIT (justin-time) process. Components and parts arrive at the production line exactly (in the sequence) when they need to be assembled. JIS processes significantly increase efficiency and productivity in the production process. They require a precise exchange of delivery and scheduling information usually transmitted via EDI.
JIT: JIT (Just-in-time) is an inventory strategy developed at the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota in the 1970s. In assembly lines organized with JIT processes, parts are supplied when the production process requires them, thus eliminating the need for inventories and storage.

L

LOG: A log is a log of all activities in the system that can be viewed via the web interface.
LOGICAL BOX: A logical box is a physically existing space for storing files during communication on the EDI service.

M

Mailbag: ANSI-defined standard for interconnects between VAN addresses (EDI addresses).
MAILBOX: The mailbox is used to store received EDI messages. A physical mailbox is the location where these messages are stored. The mailbox name can consist of up to 15 alphanumeric characters. Within the eXite® service, the mailbox is identified by GLN. A logical mailbox is used to assign addresses to users and must be mapped to a physical mailbox. It is therefore also referred to as an “alias name”.
MAILING LIST: Mailing lists are a collection of different recipient addresses. When an EDI message is sent to this mailing list, all recipients on the list will receive it.
Master data: Master data defines and describes the business process. It is highly static data that is rarely changed and is usually valid in the long term - unlike transaction data, which changes continuously and only has limited significance. Examples of master data can be data on products, suppliers, customers, employees, locations or inventories. If master data is not kept clean, the consequences can be costly and difficult to rectify. The alignment of master data is essential for EDI.
MDN: MDNs (Message Disposition Notifications) are acknowledgments electronically signed by the recipient that serve as proof to the sender that an EDI message has been received. This type of confirmation is used for communication processes that rely on the AS2 protocol.
MMOG/LE: MMOG/LE (Global Materials Management Operations Guideline / Logistics Evaluation) is a comprehensive set of business processes related to the management of materials management and logistics. It was created for the automotive industry, but it can also be used for other industries. More information is available at www.odette.org/mmog.

O

OAGIS: OAGIS (Open Access Group Incorporated) is an XML interoperability standard and data model provided by the OAGi Open Applications Group that supports the electronic exchange of data, particularly business documents. The name is derived from the Open Applications Group Integration Specification. In 2023, OAGIS was renamed to connectSpec. ConnectSpec conforms to ISO 15000-5 and ISO 5054-1.
OASIS: Organisation for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards. A non-profit, global consortium that promotes the development, convergence and introduction of e-business standards.
ODETTE: Odette (the Organization for Data Exchange by Teletransmission in Europe) is a pan-European collaboration and services platform working for the entire automotive network. The network aims to bring together supply chain professionals and technology experts to create standards, develop best practices and provide services which support the automotive industry in its operations. ODETTE created several standardized Automotive EDI messages which are widely used in the sector.
OEM: OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) is a producer or manufacturer of the final product in the automotive industry, for example Škoda, VW, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, KIA, Hyundai, Fiat, Peugeot or Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).
OFTP: OFTP (Odette File Transfer Protocol) is a protocol created in 1986, which is mainly used in the automotive and manufacturing industries. It was designed in the spirit of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model, using the network service provided by the CCITT X.25 recommendation.
OFTP2: OFTP2 was created in 2007 by Data Interchange as a specification for the secure transfer of business documents over the Internet, ISDN, and X.25 networks with additional security options. It works as a P2P (point-to-point), i.e., a point-to-point connection or it can be used indirectly, using a VAN (Value Added Network). OFTP 2 can encrypt and digitally sign message data, require signed receipts, and also offers a high level of data compression. All of these services are available when used over TCP/IP, X.25/ISDN or native X.25. When used on a TCP/IP network such as the Internet, additional session-level security is available using OFTP 2 over Transport Layer Security (TLS).
ORDCHG: ORDCHG (Order Change Request) is a message sent by the customer to the supplier as information about changes in the order. This type of message is usually used for deliveries planned well in advance.
ORDERS: ORDERS (the order) sent by the customer to the supplier is a purchase order for goods or services and contains information such as the items ordered, the quantity ordered, the price of the goods and a lot of other information. In the automotive industry this term usually expresses a frame order.
ORDRSP: ORDRSP (Order Response) is a message sent by the supplier to the customer as confirmation of the order. In the literal sense of the word, this type of message is an item confirmation of what the supplier is to deliver from the order, what not to deliver or adjust the amount of the item that that they are able to cover.
OUTGOING DATA: Outgoing data is the data set transferred to the eXite system. Outbound data can consist of any number of files that contain standard document structures.

P

P2P PROTOCOL: The P2P (peer to peer) or client-client protocol is the designation of a type of computer network in which individual clients (users) communicate directly with each other. The opposite is client-server, in which individual clients always communicate with a central server or servers, through which they also communicate with other clients, for example seamless communication processes with the eXite® Business Integration Network. eXite® supports all P2P communication functions and ensures maximum security and quality during data transfer.
PARTNER: Partners are all participants in the exchange of messages using EDI, i.e., all recipients and senders.
PAYMUL: PAYMUL (MULtiple PAYment order message) is a message where the ordering customer (or the payer or agent on behalf of the ordering customer) sends a multiple payment order to the contracting bank to instruct the contracting bank to write off the accounting items for the ordering customer and to ensure payment of certain amounts to several payees (or payees) in settlement of the referenced business transaction(s). Throughout this document, the term "ordering customer" refers to either the ordering customer or the payer or agent acting (sending) on behalf of the ordering customer. Similarly, the term "payee" refers to either the payee or the payee or an agent acting on behalf of the payee.
PHYSICAL BOX: Is the name for the customer's physical mailbox on the service. Messages in both directions of communication and in EDI formats sent by the counterparty or sent by the customer to the counterparty are stored in the customer's physical mailbox. Sent and received messages are stored in this mailbox, including an electronic signature, if such a signature is required on documents.
PIDX: PIDX (Petroleum Industry Data Exchange) is an organization that develops EDI data requirements for the petroleum (oil and gas) industry and represents the industry regarding the maintenance of the X12 standard. PIDX defines a format for business processes that include data formats and streams using transport methods and security defined by PIDX. Processes defined by PIDX serve as frameworks for business flows in business partner systems.
PIP: Partner Interface Processes. RosettaNet PIPs define business processes between trading partners via XML-based dialogues.
POP3: POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) is the latest version of the Internet protocol for downloading e-mail messages. It is an application protocol that works via a TCP/IP connection.
PRICAT: PRICAT (PRIce CATalog), a message enabling the transmission of information on prices and catalog details of goods and services offered by the seller to the buyer. The buyer can also send the message to the seller. This may be a response (acceptance or rejection) to a previously received Price/Sales Catalog Message or Negotiated Price Notice.

R

RECADV: RECADV (RECeiving ADVice) is a message in the EDIFACT format intended for sending declarations of receipt of goods. This report is particularly useful in the event that the supplier issues and sends an EDI invoice for which RECADV is a relevant source of information.
RECEIVER: The receiver is the one who receives the EDI message. The destination mailbox or destination gateway (internal or external) is determined by the designation of the recipient in the EDI message.
RELATION: This is the term used for establishing EDI communication between two partners. A relation is established at a certain point in time, and then brought to an end - at some later point. An established communication relation may involve interchange of more than one message in each direction. When using eXite services, a relation also represents the time elapsed between the time the user logs in and logs out.
REMADV: REMADV (REMittance ADVice), or liquidation letter, is a message in the EDIFACT format that the customer sends to the supplier informing them that payment will be made for the delivered products or services. In addition, REMADV allows users to include several different invoicing transactions, but with a single payment date. As a result, suppliers will know exactly when they will receive the money and can therefore better plan and manage their financial situation.
RESTful Web Services: Representational State Transfer (REST) is a software architecture that defines the conditions under which an API operates. REST-based architectures can be used to support powerful and reliable customised communication. A web service is a service that can be accessed over a network. REST offers different methods to call a web service. Web services that implement this REST architecture are called RESTful web services.
RETANN: RETANN (Return Announcement) is a message sent by the customer to the supplier informing them of the type of goods and for what reason the delivered goods will be returned (for repair, damaged, wrongly delivered, expired warranty period...)
RETINS: RETINS (English Return Instructions) is a message that the customer or carrier informs the supplier whether and how the goods will be returned. Using this report, the supplier can be informed, for example, whether the goods are to be returned, repaired, disposed of, what mode of transport will be used, who will cover the transport costs, etc.
ROSETTANET: The RosettaNet standard defines both electronic commerce documents and exchange protocols as part of electronic data interchange (EDI). The RosettaNet standard is based on XML and defines guidelines for messages, interfaces for business processes, and implementation frameworks for interactions between companies. RosettaNet is a GS1 standard.

S

SEGMENTS: Segments are logical parts of UN/EDIFACT format messages that are identified by a three-letter code. For example, the “UNH” segment identifies the start of a message within a data interchange.
SENDER: A sender is a message originator that sends messages using EDI.
SESSION AUDIT FILE: Session audit files include the history of all sent and received messages. They are made available to eXite® users during every eXite® session. They are proof that data has been transmitted. In addition, they allow users to check if all performed transactions were accurate and complete.
SFTP: SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) is a network protocol that provides file access, file transfer, and file management over SSH.
SLSRPT: SLSRPT (Sales Data Report) is a report used to distribute sales data for one or more locations over a certain period. It is usually sent by the seller to their suppliers, but can also be generated by a sales coordinator or distribution center and sent directly to the manufacturer or a third-party supplier acting on behalf of participating partners.
SMTP: SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is an Internet protocol designed for the transmission of e-mail messages. Although e-mail servers and other e-mail communication relays use SMTP to send and receive e-mail messages, user-level applications typically use SMTP only to send messages to the e-mail server for further transmission. Client applications mostly use IMAP or POP3 to retrieve messages.
SOAP: SOAP is the abbreviation for Simple Object Access Protocol. SOAP is a message protocol that enables communication between decentralised elements of an application. It was developed as an intermediate language for applications with different programming languages. SOAP enables these applications to communicate with each other via the Internet.
Spoke: EDI term used to describe a trading partner, usually the supplier of a purchasing company (known as a hub).
SQL: SQL (Structure Query Language) is a standardized programming language used to manage relational databases and perform various operations on data in them. It is particularly useful when working with structured data, i.e., data involving relationships between entities and variables.
SSCC: SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) is used to identify a logistics unit, for example a pallet or container. It is an 18-digit numerical structure in the form of a barcode, which is part of every GS1 logistics label for easy loading of reading devices in warehouses, thereby speeding up the receipt of goods.
Syntax: The system for the arrangement of data elements and segments within an EDI message or transaction set. This is specified by the message or transaction set standards used.

T

Tag: The unique identifier used with segment and data elements.
TAG ID: → eXite TAG-ID
TIER1: TIER1 suppliers are a group of suppliers who supply complete parts or systems, such as dashboards, steering wheels, etc., directly to the OEM for the final completion of the production of the vehicle. In addition to these suppliers, there are also logistics companies at the TIER1 level that provide just-in-time deliveries to OEMs on behalf of suppliers.
TIER2: TIER2 suppliers are a group of suppliers who supply components or parts of systems, such as dashboard controls, plastic moldings, airbag chips, etc., to TIER1 suppliers for final completion of the part or system. A TIER2 supplier can also be a customer of another TIER2 supplier, who will, for example, machine or press a part for them (for example, adding a thread to a steel shaft) or also directly supply parts to OEMs (for example, fasteners).
TIER3: TIER3 suppliers are a group of suppliers who supply materials, such as steel, plastic granulate, etc., to TIER2 suppliers for the production of a component or part of a system.
TRADACOMS: Tradacoms is an early standard for EDI and was primarily used in the UK.
Trailer: The specific segment that, simply put, tells the receiving computer where an individual EDI message ends.
TXT: A TXT file is a standard text document that contains plain text. It can be opened and edited in any text editing program or text editor.

U

UBL: UBL, the abbreviation for Universal Business Language, is a standardised data format and a series of XML-based document schemas that have been specially developed for electronic data interchange (EDI) and e-commerce transactions. UBL serves as a common language for the structured exchange of business documents such as invoices, purchase orders and shipping notifications between trading partners. It provides a framework that facilitates seamless communication in global supply chains and business-to-business (B2B) transactions through the use of predefined document structures, data elements and code lists.
USER: Users are clients of EDITEL who use the eXite® service.

V

Value-Added Network: Often abbreviated to VAN. An external company that manages the electronic exchange of information between subscribers to its service. VANs provide services such as electronic delivery of EDI transactions, protocol and quick conversion, and storage of EDI data for revision tracking.
VDA: VDA, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA = Verband der Deutschen Automobilindustrie) consists of more than 620 companies involved in production for the automotive industry in the Federal Republic of Germany. The members are divided into three manufacturer groups: automobile manufacturers, automotive suppliers, and trailers, special bodies, buses. The VDA currently has about 35 working groups, which in some cases have set up their own sub-committee or ad hoc working group.
VDA4905: VDA4905, a standardized EDI message for the transmission of delivery instructions from the OEM to the supplier, the so-called Lieferabruf in German.
VDA4915: VDA4915, a standardized EDI message for the transmission of detailed call-offs from the OEM to the supplier, the so-called Feinabruf in German. VDA4915/2 is a standardized EDI message for the call-off based on the ODETTE message DELINS (Delivery instruction).
Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI): An inventory replenishment system in which the seller takes responsibility for the stock of its products at the customer's premises by monitoring the POS and stock data sent by the customer. This process is generally automated via EDI in order to achieve the smoothest possible stock replenishment.

W

Web-EDI: Web EDI is a cost-efficient solution for small and medium suppliers to exchange EDI messages with their customers and the ideal solution for OEMs to connect all business partners via EDI regardless of the supplier size.
WSDL: Web Services Description Language

X

X.12: ANSI X.12 (American National Standards Institute) is an EDI standard developed in 1979 by a subsidiary of ASC (Accredited Standards Committee X12), which is used mainly in the United States of America and Canada.
X.400: X.400 is a communication protocol that some European countries (including Germany, France and the Netherlands) use for exchanging EDI data.
X400: A widely used e-mail system in Europe.
XML: Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a data format used in inter-application transactions that was developed and standardized by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
XML ADDRESS CONTAINER: The XML Address Container is used to send unstructured data via eXite®.
XSL: XSL (Extensible Stylesheet Language) is a family of languages for describing how XML files should be formatted and converted. It includes three languages, XSL Transformation (XSLT) - XML language for converting XML documents, XSL Formatting Objects (XSL-FO) - XML language for specifying visual formatting of XML documents and XML Path language (XPath) - a language for addressing parts of an XML document, which is not itself an XML language. It is used for example in XSLT. The specifications of these three languages are available in the form of W3C recommendations.

Z

ZIP: Is an archive file format that supports lossless data compression. A ZIP file may contain one or more files or directories that may have been compressed. The ZIP file format allows for a variety of compression algorithms, although DEFLATE is the most common.
ZUGFeRD: ZUGFeRD is a Franco-German EDI standard that is primarily used for hybrid invoicing. A hybrid invoice combines two different types of invoices - structured format (XML) and human-readable format (PDF). The acronym stands for Zentraler User Guide des Forums elektronische Rechnung Deutschland.

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