EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has been in use within major corporations for decades as a method of improving efficiency in business processes by creating a link between computer systems of different companies and entities.

The "data bridge", which allows disparate systems to communicate, is established by using a combination of data standards, mapping, translation systems, and data communications methods.

EDI can be defined as the electronic exchange of business documents in a standard or structured format. In other words, EDI allows for the electronic communication of documents, such as PO's, Invoices, Ship Notices, etc. with no human intervention required.