05-09-2012, 02:59 PM
Electronic Data Interchange
1Electronic Data.pdf (Size: 48.19 KB / Downloads: 32)
What is EDI?
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is the direct communication of trading
messages between computer systems, using national and international
telecommunications networks.
Many libraries and suppliers may currently use EDI simply for transmitting
Orders and receiving Acknowledgements. However, EDI messages may also
be used to transmit other information, for example:
· Invoices
· New title notifications
Why use EDI?
The main advantages of using EDI over other trading methods are:
· speed of transmission (data arrives in seconds rather than days in
postal systems)
· accuracy of data (no re-keying of data into a system is required,
eliminating the ‘human error’ factor at the receiving end)
· replaces much of the paper-handling at both ends
· security and audit trail
In tests comparing the use of EDI with paper orders libraries have found that
they save several days on their turnround time (order to shelf-ready) by using
EDI.
A ‘fulfilment’ message has also been developed, which allows a book supplier
to transmit extra copy-specific data (eg: barcode, shelfmark) to be loaded
directly into the Library Management System – thus allowing the item to be
put directly onto the shelves, avoiding the extra processing usually required to
add it to the circulation system.
Available Messages
Many libraries and suppliers use both TRADACOMS and EDIFACT
messages. The following table lists the messages implemented by Holt
Jackson – for use with libraries and/or with publishers/distributors. Where
there is an equivalent message in both formats they appear on the same line
eg: the TRADACOMS equivalent for EDIFACT ‘Despatch Advice’ is ‘Delivery
Notification’.
Invoices and Credit Notes (EDIFACT and TRADACOMS)
Holt Jackson sends an Invoice message to the customer (or a
publisher/distributor sends an Invoice to Holt Jackson) as the final message in
any transaction cycle. Any required Credit Note from Holt Jackson (eg: for
returned ‘approval’ items) is transmitted using either the EDIFACT Invoice
message or the TRADACOMS Credit Note message.
In library supply it is normal practice for each consignment to be invoiced as it
is sent, so an Invoice message, which should normally reach the customer in
advance of the actual shipment, effectively doubles as a despatch advice as
well as an invoice (ie: a despatch advice message is not normally used).