⊿ Point. {R} Glossary. ◢ Keyword: E. ◥ University. {q} PhD. {tr} Training. ⚫ UK. ⚫ England. ⬤ London. ↂ EndNote. ☗ MDX. MDX: PhD. ↂ Blogger. RSK666-0000075. Electronic data interchange. Electronic communication method Electronic data interchange (EDI) is the concept of businesses electronically communicating information that was traditionally communicated on paper, such as purchase orders, advance ship notices, and invoices. Technical standards for EDI exist to facilitate parties transacting such instruments without having to make special arrangements. EDI has existed at least since the early 70s, and there are many EDI standards (including X12, EDIFACT, ODETTE, etc.), some of which address the needs of specific industries or regions.
It also refers specifically to a family of standards. In 1996, the National Institute of Standards and Technology defined electronic data interchange as "the computer-to-computer interchange of a standardized format for data exchange. History[edit] Like many other early information technologies, EDI was inspired by developments in military logistics. Standards[edit] Some major sets of EDI standards:[5] Transmission protocols[edit]