Introduction
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a method of exchanging business documents digitally between companies. This guide provides an overview of EDI, how it works, and the different flows used in Traede integrations.
What is an EDI partner?
An EDI partner is a company that you connect to via EDI. This could be a department store like Magasin, an e-commerce platform, or a major retail partner like Zalando or Boozt. Each EDI partner operates within specific EDI flows, which define how data is exchanged between systems.
EDI flows in Traede
There are two primary EDI flows in Traede:
Sales Flow
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The EDI partner sends an order request to your system.
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You review and approve the order.
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You ship the products to the customer.
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You generate and send an DESADV and invoice via EDI.
Consignment Flow
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You send products to the EDI partner’s location without a prior order request.
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The EDI partner sells the products and sends a sales report back to you.
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You process the sales report to track sold inventory.
Some EDI partners support both flows, while others support only one. The agreement between you and your EDI partner determines which flow is used.
Essential EDI files
EDI exchanges rely on structured files that contain relevant data. Below is an overview of the key files and their purposes:
| File Type | Purpose | Required for Sales Flow | Required for Consignment Flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRICAT File | Contains master product data, including SKUs, pricing, descriptions, and images. | ✅ | ✅ |
| DESADV | Notifies the EDI partner of shipped products. | ✅ | ✅ |
| Order request | Contains incoming order requests from the EDI partner. | ✅ | ❌ |
| Order Confirmation | Confirms that an order has been accepted (only required by some EDI partners). | ✅ (if required) | ❌ |
| Invoice File | Sent after shipping to request payment. | ✅ | ❌ |
| Sales Report | Reports sales data from the EDI partner’s location. | ❌ | ✅ |
Understanding EDI file requirements
EDI partners have unique requirements regarding data formats and fields. Some partners may require descriptions in multiple languages, while others may have specific formatting rules for pricing and images. Understanding these requirements is an essential part of onboarding a new EDI partner.
Automating EDI processes in Traede
Traede automates the creation and exchange of EDI files, reducing manual work. Once an EDI partner is set up, the system will generate and send the necessary files based on the flow you are using.
Conclusion
EDI simplifies order management by automating communication with business partners. Whether using the sales flow or the consignment flow, Traede ensures smooth data exchange through automated file handling. In the next guides, we will cover how to set up EDI partners for both flows.