Architecture of EDI
The architecture for EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is designed to enable the secure, standardized, and automated exchange of business documents between organizations. Here's a breakdown of a typical EDI architecture, including all key components:
🔧 1. Internal Systems (ERP / Business Applications)
- Examples: SAP
- Purpose: These systems generate and consume business documents (like Purchase Orders, Invoices, ASN, etc.).
- Documents are exported/imported in flat files, IDocs, XML, etc.
🔄 2. EDI Interface / Middleware Layer
This layer maps internal data formats to standardized EDI formats.
Components:
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Mapping Tool: Translates ERP data formats (e.g., IDoc) to EDI standards (e.g., ANSI X12).
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Transformation Engine: Converts business data to EDI format and vice versa.
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Validation Engine: Ensures data integrity and compliance with EDI standards.
Examples: SAP PI/PO, Boomi, MuleSoft, IBM Sterling Integrator, Microsoft BizTalk
🌐 3. EDI Translator
- Converts documents between human-readable (ERP) and EDI formats.
- Examples of EDI formats: ANSI X12
📡 4. Communication AS2
This is how the EDI documents are securely exchanged between trading partners.
Options:
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VAN (Value Added Network): Third-party network that manages EDI routing, translation, and storage (e.g., OpenText, GXS)
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AS2: Secure point-to-point EDI communication over the Internet
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SFTP/FTP/HTTPS/REST APIs: Other common transfer protocols
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OFTP / OFTP2: Used often in automotive or European sectors
👥 5. Trading Partners
- Your customers, suppliers, or logistics partners
- Each partner may have specific EDI requirements (document types, mapping rules, communication protocol)
🔁 6. EDI Process Flow (Example)
Let’s take an Order-to-Invoice flow:
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ERP creates a Purchase Order → internal IDoc
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Middleware maps IDoc to EDI 850 (PO)
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EDI Translator converts PO to correct format
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Communication Layer sends 850 to the supplier via AS2 or VAN
- Supplier processes the order and sends back:
- 855 (Order Acknowledgment)
- 856 (ASN)
- 810 (Invoice)
- Your system receives these via EDI → translated → imported into ERP
