Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Basics

Electronic data interchange the global interface for ecommerce

Interchange of electronic data is one of the core structures of our Internet business and communication. The history goes back to the beginning of the World Wide Web and Internet and exchange of information between universities and the military. Unless you are computer scientist, information systems, telecommunications or data security and systems expert, it’s not the easiest concept in the world to wrap your mind around. However, like so many other things on the web these days, you do not need to know or understand EDI systems at the core level to benefit and use the interfaces.

Yes, just like email, web surfing, building web pages and e-stores, you can use EDI integration without understand bits and bytes. However, if you do want or need to understand EDI at a deeper level the resources are there for you to learn, take courses and get training as well. Consider the following when learning electronic data interchange (EDI) basics:

1. Learn the basic fundamentals of EDI systems and how they work.

2. Read books and other guides and material about EDI.

3. Find out what big EDI businesses have to say.

 

Start with basic information about EDI and how it works

The Internet first came into being when information was transferred and shared between big institutions like universities and the military. These institutions employed highly trained individuals with PhDs, and they decided these tools would be nice to share with the public and private business. Those were the beginnings of the World Wide Web.
Try: HowStuffWorks writes about the EDI system and its application to ecommerce here. Ecommerce and big companies who work with massive inventory, invoices and exchange of information use EDI. Small business also uses EDI. CovalentWorks gives an overview of electronic data interchange.

Read helpful information on EDI services

EDI solutions today are application service providers (ASPs). EDI is too big and too expensive for most of us to understand or afford. It is like the airline, another example of an ASP-we use the service-most of us do not buy airplanes, airstrips or learn to fly airplanes to travel.
Try: Read articles on EDI at SurfWax. At the EDI Center for Training, you can find all kinds of stuff about EDI integration, including a list of books they recommend to help you begin understanding electronic data interchange (EDI) basics.

Find more EDI information from the info pages of companies specializing in EDI

A company cannot just sell a service without explaining to the user or potential buyer what they do and what their service is all about. EDI is a software solution for document management. Big companies like Walmart, Honeywell and NASA use these capabilities. It is the standardized interface program (like international measurement standards of meters not feet in NASA), so that it works globally and everyone can use it and understand it.
Try: ProEDI gives a good explanation of what EDI is all about. 123 EDI also covers the basics of EDI at their site.

 

• Call up one of these EDI companies if you have a small or large business and you think you need electronic data interchange services. Tell them your ecommerce and data exchange needs with other companies nationally or internationally and find out what you need to be more streamlined and organized. Understand you can use these EDI services without understanding EDI history, foundations and science.

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