Testing EDI Transactions (Union Pacific Trading Partner EDI Program)
Testing EDI transactions is initiated by Union Pacific to ensure prompt payments and electronic documents processing with trading partners. Union Pacific is currently active in the following EDI transactions (ASC X12):
- 850 RIFMAT – Purchase orders
- 810 RIFMAT – Material invoices
- 810 RIFDFO – Diesel fuel invoices
- 997 RIFMAT – Functional acknowledgment
- 856 – Advanced Shipment Notice
Both stock and non-stock items are included in RIFMAT purchase orders and invoices. Union Pacific is also in the testing phase for (832 RIFDFO) the price sales catalog for diesel fuel.
There is no rule as to which business transaction is implemented first. The purchase order begins the business cycle, and some invoicing software is contingent on an EDI purchase order. Therefore, many companies prefer to start with the purchase order. Union Pacific will participate in EDI starting with any of the transaction sets it supports.
Testing Invoice (810)
For EDI invoices, the supplier initiates the testing process. To ensure prompt payment suppliers may also submit invoices through the ORISS Web page while EDI testing is underway. Union Pacific prefers to test with live, current invoices which have not yet been processed. This enables testing of communications, syntax and compatibility of information between business applications. Small test samples (ideally, one or two invoices) are optimal. Union Pacific will conduct parallel testing until both parties are satisfied that EDI is working correctly for both trading partners.
Testing Purchase Order (850)
For Purchase Orders, Union Pacific will send a “live” purchase order from its application systems to the supplier’s mailbox. A corresponding functional acknowledgment (997) needs to be received from the supplier/van company. A separate ISA/997 needs to be sent for each control group Union Pacific sends. Small test samples (ideally, one or two invoices) are optimal. Union Pacific will conduct parallel testing until both parties are satisfied that EDI is working correctly for both trading partners.