How to set up an EDI server

Question

I was instructed to check the feasibility of performing internal EDI, as the costs of third-party companies are getting out of hand.

When performing a web search on this subject, there is a lot of information about the various types and formats of documents and their creation from XML files or a database. It looks pretty simple. However, I do not see much opinion about the server-server connection.

The question is what is needed for configuration, for example, for a server? I am looking for a third-party component that I can run on a Windows server as a server (I see it as an IIS server that just sits there and waits for incoming connections, then handshakes and accepts the file.) The only thing I have already found is that the MS server BizTalk includes EDI features.

I also found Edidev.com, which has an AS2 server that looks like it can fit the bill.

I am completely new to this area and do not want to miss something important.

Answer 1

Most traditional EDI software repositories have enterprise-wide integration options that work on the server (how). Gentran, TrustedLink, BizTalk. All names that are in this space and are usually a significant (expensive) investment.

I use here Delta (translation) and ECS (communication). Both run as client / server. Translation software is a true Windows drag and drop tool that can handle all integration scenarios. This commercial software will cost you about 20 thousand. Dollars. We currently support over 100 trading partners, making around 3,000 batches of data per day. The system is integrated with our ERP and not only processes EDI, but also XML, a flat file, CSV data. Delta and ECS . You might be interested to read this: My Case Study

If you have your own translation engine (parser), and you just want to get a part for communication, you can still check ECS, Cleo Lexicom or Axway. Everyone has managed file solutions that will work for you and run as a Windows service.

Thus, our server processes the AS2 connection, collects files on a schedule, sends data via FTP and FTP, processes web services via HTTP and has client utilities for displaying data coming in and out of the system. It also automatically generates 997 for incoming transactions. ECS setup is very simple. Learning a translator — any translator — can be a daunting task. For each of them there are quirks. Where time will be spent.

Answer 2

There are many different options when it comes to EDI.

The main components of the Full EDI Setup program are: Translation Tool, Task Scheduler, Managed File Transfer (MFT) Solution, and Server.

Now that most EDI professionals, especially EDI Oustourcing Companies, want the public to believe that creating their own EDI In House solution is extremely difficult and will cost hands and feet.

Of course, some outsourcing options are really worth it, such as Gentran, GXS Open Text, IBM Sterling, and other major EDI service providers. Others, such as Liaison, 1EDI Source, etc., are quite cheap and have various support packages, including cloud solutions.

In general, the truth is, and returning to the starting point when creating your own internal solution, all that these EDI service providers provide can be done by In-House for a small fraction of the cost. There are open source solutions, free cloud service options, or on-shelf software that can be installed, deployed, and integrated for use with your business systems.

The cost of this scenario is an EDI In-House specialist to launch, maintain and implement new relationships with your newly created EDI solution.

One sample solution: open source solution

(free to download, install and use)

Translation Tool - MFT Solution - AS2 Server

[ Bots EDI Translator - Waarp MFT - OpenAS2 Server ]

bots.sourceforge.net/en/index.shtml

sourceforge.net/projects/waarp/

sourceforge.net/p/openas2/wiki/Home/

There are many other options that can be put together and customized to meet your specific business needs.

A simple definition of EDI is the translation and transfer of electronic business documents from one company to another.

The Translation tool simply takes one data field from one file and puts the predefined field in another file.

Managed file transfer is the graphical interface that you want to use to view transactions, resubmit transactions, manually download previous transactions, etc.

Part of the file transfer is simply setting the communication parameters between your company and the company you want to send / receive the file. It can be configured as FTP, SFTP, AS2, or even email distribution lists.

I am a former business manager of one of these third-party EDI service providers and was amazed at how the industry was able to trick users into thinking that EDI is so complex and difficult to implement, maintain, or even understand.

I am still in the EDI industry and currently working as a business analyst for a manufacturing company, you guessed it, within EDI.