VICS EDI Connection: Internet Forms-Based Method
Typically, “hub” companies initiate forms-based EDI to facilitate EDI with smaller trading partners. As shown in Case 5, forms-based EDI applications are either hosted by a third-party service provider or offered by a trading partner via an extranet.
The following example illustrates a basic transaction cycle using Internet forms-based EDI:
- The initiating company, using traditional EDI, transmits an 850 Purchase Order to a third party Internet forms-based EDI provider.
- The third party provider loads the purchase order information to their website.
- The initiating company’s trading partner (e.g., the ultimate receiver) accesses the website and views the purchase order data. The trading partner prints or downloads/imports the data to process the order.
- Upon shipping of product to its customer, the smaller trading partner keys information needed to create an 856 Ship Notice/Manifest and an 810 Invoice on the third party web form. This information is fed to the third party’s systems.
- The third-party provider creates an 856 Ship Notice/Manifest and 810 Invoice and transmits the EDI documents to the initiating company.
- The initiating company receives the 856 Ship Notice/Manifest and 810 Invoice using their standard EDI processing method.
To use forms-based EDI, smaller trading partners do not require traditional EDI systems or support. Generally, only an Internet-connected computer and browser software are needed.
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