What is EDIFACT?
At Celtrino, we offer a massive selection of EDI solutions to suit a vast selection of industries. Whether it’s exchanging vital information via EDI messages or connecting two parties, EDIFACT ensures the system runs smoothly. But what is EDIFACT? And what is EDIFACT used for?
EDIFACT stands for Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport (UN/EDIFACT). It is an international EDI standard developed and maintained by the United Nations in 1987. This standard provides syntax rules, an interactive exchange protocol and a set of standard messages to facilitate consistent trading between two parties.
Why is EDIFACT required?
The technology provides a standard format for a set of message types, allowing electronic data to be passed between trading partners and consistently processed. Electronic Data Interchange standards like EDIFACT enable businesses to exchange and process large amounts of order and invoice data, subsequently speeding up the supply chain process. This type of electronic trading has replaced paper and PDF orders and invoices in many B2B industries.
Who uses EDIFACT?
It’s not specific to any industry and is used in 90% of EDI transactions across Europe, which is a testament to the flexibility and usability of the original development of the standard. A diminishing number of UK companies still use the alternative Tradacoms format, but EDIFACT is slowly replacing this.
What type of EDIFACT messages are there?
EDIFACT covers a comprehensive set of messages to provide maximum flexibility throughout various industries, including retail, pharma, the public sector and wholesale. As you would expect, it covers the main messages, such as orders (ORDERS), invoices (INVOIC) and dispatch advice (DESADV). It also provides additional functionality, such as SCC barcode labelling, which is missing from alternative standards like Tradacoms.
A list of popular EDIFACT message types can be seen below:
| EDIFACT Code | Description |
| DELFOR | Delivery Forecast |
| DELJIT | Delivery Just-In-Time |
| DESADV | Dispatch Advice |
| IFTMIN | Instructions for Transport |
| IFTMBF | Transport Booking Request |
| IFTMBC | Transport Booking Confirmation |
| INVOIC | Invoice |
| ORDERS | Purchase Order |
| PAYORD | Payment Order |
| PRICAT | Price Catalogue |
| PRODAT | Product Data |
| INVRPT | Inventory Report |
| RECADV | Receipt Advice |
| MSCONS | Metered Services Consumption Report |
| UTILMD | Utilities Master Data |
| ORDCHG | Purchase Order Change Request |
| CONTRL | Functional Acknowledgement |
| REMADV | Remittance Advice |
| SLSRPT | Outgoing Sales Report |
| ORDRSP | Purchase Order Response |
What is the structure of an EDIFACT message?
A message structure is made up of segments, elements and descriptions. The segment partitions the message into different information types, such as the name and address (NAD) and the line item (LIN). The elements then provide a second layer of information in a standardised format, such as the item quantity or party code. Lastly, the description provides the details, such as the item name, company address and item number.
What does an EDIFACT message look like?
Each message is split into the 3 components mentioned above – Segments, Elements and Descriptions. The message is divided into segments on separate lines, and an element follows each of these segments and then a description. The syntax of each of these components is essential, as it allows the EDI systems to read the message. The example EDIFACT purchase order below shows the three components colour-coded:
UNB+UNOC:3+4000000000000:12+4017315000007:14+150819:0630+00003+++++EANCOM’
UNH+1+ORDERS:D:01B:UN:EAN010′
BGM+220+0812024′
DTM+137:20240913:102′
DTM+2:20240918:102′
NAD+BY+4000000000000::9′
NAD+DP+4000000000000::9′
NAD+SU+4019315000007::9+FARM EGGS LTD+22 CHURCH STREET+CAMBRIDGE++CB21 8TY+UK’
COM+?+44 788 1629722:TE’
COM+INFO@FARMSEGGS.COM:EM’
LIN+1++4000000000000:SRV’
PIA+1+10000-100:SA’
PIA+1+1000000000000:IN’
IMD+F++:::RAW EGGS:GRAHAM’
QTY+21:60′
UNS+S‘
CNT+1:114′
UNT+24+1′
UNZ+1+00003′
What are the challenges surrounding EDIFACT?
One of the main issues is that it’s difficult to read in a raw format. The concatenation of codes and syntax used within the elements, segments, and descriptions and the difference in syntax to widely used formats like XML make it hard for software and people to read. This unique approach often leads to increased errors and time-consuming remediation when problems occur.
X12
Although EDIFACT was designed as a global EDI standard, it was never adopted in the USA, where they created an alternative called X12. ANSI X12 is now the predominant EDI standard in the United States. It is particularly common in the US healthcare sector, where HIPAA regulations apply and are utilised across all sectors by over 300,000 businesses worldwide.
Odette
Odette is another alternative EDI standard that is predominantly used in the European automotive sector. The Odette standard caters for supply chain efficiency with an Odette ID available to identify a large volume of global legal entities within a business, such as warehouses, factories and offices.
Celtrino Can Help With
At Celtrino, we don’t just help integrate EDI into your systems. We also have access to a huge number of potential partners with suppliers and buyers; with our own managed service, you can find the perfect EDI solution and start forming relationships with new trading partners.
EDI With My Buyers
Serve your buyers accurately and efficiently. Meet buyer EDI requirements quickly, easily and cost-effectively with our EDI solutions.
EDI With My Suppliers
Our EDI solution will enable your suppliers to receive, process and create all of the documents required to meet your specifications.
Premier Managed EDI
EDI can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Let Celtrino manage your electronic trading activity from mapping to system maintenance and upgrades.
How Celtrino EDI Can Benefit You
Whether you are a supplier or a customer, there are many advantages for you to consider when joining our EDI network.
Fast and reliable message exchange
Reduce manual intervention, paper and data errors
Free up accounts and IT resources for value-added activities
Better sales reporting, stock control and information sharing
Faster order processing and faster payment of invoices
Easier to grow EDI connections to enter new markets
Respond promptly to key customer EDI and supply chain demands
Get in Touch
You can learn more about Electronic Data Interchange by exploring our case studies and discovering how we have offered EDI solutions and managed services across multiple industries.
If you have any questions about our EDI network or just general EDI questions you’d like to discuss or would like to learn more about us, be sure to contact us, and a member of our dedicated team will be happy to help.
