Connection methods: AS2, SFTP, API

What is the difference between AS2 and VAN?

What is the difference between AS2 and VAN?

AS2 and VAN are two ways of sending and receiving EDI documents.

• AS2 — This is the method that large trading partners such as Walmart, Target and Amazon specify directly. EDI-VAN connects to them directly over AS2, so there is no additional charge.

• VAN — When your trading partner uses a different VAN (for example, IBM Sterling or OpenText), communication fees arise between EDI-VAN and that VAN. In this case, the other VAN's communication fee (KC rates, per unit of data) is billed separately at actual cost. We tell you the estimated amount before activation and set a monthly cap.

In short: AS2 has no additional charge · VAN interconnection has communication fees billed separately at actual cost.

How do I connect with our ERP or Excel files?

EDI-VAN connects in two ways:

• Automatic ERP integration: We add automatic sending and receiving to the ERP or online shop system you already use. EDI-VAN supports this even if you have no developers.
• Start with EDI ERP: If you don't have an ERP, you can start with EDI ERP, which connects directly to EDI-VAN (order, inventory, shipping and invoice management).

Steps:

1. Contact us → 2. Consultation → 3. Integration build and testing → 4. Start trading

Telling us your trading partner (for example, Amazon or Walmart) and your desired start date will speed up the consultation.

Contact us: https://edi-van.com/en/home#inquiry or help@edi-van.com

What if my trading partner uses a different VAN?

If your trading partner uses a different VAN (for example, IBM Sterling or OpenText), documents are exchanged through VAN-to-VAN interconnection.

• Communication fees: The communication fee charged by the other VAN (KC basis, per 1,000 characters of data) is billed separately at actual cost.
• Advance notice: Before activation, we tell you the estimated amount and set a monthly cap.
• Direct AS2 partners are free: There is no additional charge for partners that receive directly over AS2, such as Walmart, Target and Amazon.

For details, contact us or email help@edi-van.com.

Do I need an ERP?

No, you don't need an ERP. When you sign up for the service, a basic EDI screen is provided with it. On that screen you can view purchase orders and exchange documents such as ship notices and invoices right away. There is nothing extra to build, and it is included in the fee.

• Start with the basic EDI screen: You view and enter documents on screen, with no software to install. You can also upload the Excel files you use now.
• Keep your current system: If you already have an ERP or in-house system, you keep it as is and we only connect it.
• EDI ERP (optional): This is an optional add-on if you want to manage orders, inventory, shipping, invoices and even profit and loss in one system. You don't have to build it.

You can see the screen flow for each industry under Pricing, and EDI ERP on the EDI ERP page.

How do I connect an additional trading partner?

To connect an additional trading partner, just tell us the new partner's name and the documents you will exchange through Contact us. EDI-VAN registers the new partner, runs test documents back and forth until everything matches, and then opens trading. The way you work today does not change; only the connection is added. On a custom plan, each additional trading partner costs $330 per year, and if the number of document types or documents sent increases, that extra amount is calculated as well. The amounts for your conditions are calculated right away in the calculator on the pricing page or by the AI assistant.

Can you build a dedicated network for our company?

Yes, you can also discuss a dedicated connection (dedicated network) for your company, quoted separately. By default, EDI-VAN is a closed network where only registered partners exchange documents through encrypted channels, so unregistered parties cannot get in even without a dedicated network. If you write in Contact us why you need a dedicated network and the setup you want, we will explain the scope and quote in the consultation.

We only work in Excel—can we still do EDI?

Yes, you can do EDI even if you only work in Excel. You upload and download Excel or CSV files to exchange documents, and EDI-VAN handles converting them into the format your trading partner requires and delivering them. If you only have a few documents, you can also enter them directly on the web entry screen. If you want to manage orders, inventory and shipments in one place, you can also start with an EDI ERP that connects directly to EDI-VAN.

Can we connect without a developer?

Yes, you can connect without a developer. If you start with the web entry screen or Excel files, no development is needed. With the Custom and Dedicated plans, EDI-VAN supports or handles format conversion and trading partner registration and testing. If you need an automatic connection to the system you use now, EDI-VAN can build the integration for you on a separate quote. However, development work inside your ERP must be handled by your ERP vendor or IT staff.

Can we connect our system via API?

Yes, you can connect your system through an API (a way for systems to exchange data directly with each other). Your system only sends and receives order, shipment and invoice data, while EDI-VAN handles converting it into the format your trading partner requires and delivering it. If integration work is needed, EDI-VAN can build it for you on a separate quote; development inside your ERP is the customer's responsibility. If you use the Direct plan, we provide standard formats and guidance so you can integrate on your own.

What software do you need for EDI?

You do not need to buy separate EDI software. EDI-VAN handles format conversion, delivery to your partner and receipt confirmation, and you simply send and receive documents using one of the methods below.

• Web entry screen (no developer needed)
• Uploading and downloading Excel or CSV files
• Automatic file transfer (SFTP) or system integration (API)

If you have no business system at all, you can also have an EDI ERP set up that connects directly to EDI-VAN.

Can a small business use a web-based EDI portal instead of integrating its ERP?

Yes, you can use only EDI-VAN's web entry screen without any ERP integration. You view the purchase orders you receive on screen and enter the documents you want to send, and they are converted into the format your trading partner requires and delivered. This works well when you don't have many documents, and as your volume grows you can expand later to uploading Excel files or system integration. Which method suits you best will be decided together in a consultation, based on your trading partners and document volume.

Should we use SFTP or AS2 for EDI, and can SFTP replace AS2?

For the channel on the trading partner's side, the rule is to follow the method your partner (the retailer) specifies, and EDI-VAN connects accordingly. AS2 is a method of exchanging encrypted documents directly over the internet; it is mainly required by large retailers, and there is no additional charge for it at EDI-VAN. SFTP is a method of automatically transferring files to a designated folder, and it is commonly used for exchanging files between your system and EDI-VAN. So you can mix them, for example AS2 with your partner and SFTP between you and EDI-VAN. We will decide which combination fits in a consultation.

What is a VAN mailbox and how does it work?

A VAN mailbox is like a company-specific mailbox inside the network that receives documents on your behalf and passes them along. The sender puts a document in, the network delivers it to the receiving party's mailbox, and the receiving party picks the document up from their own mailbox. Even if the two parties use different VANs, the VANs can be linked together (interconnection) to pass the document along. The actual communication costs incurred this way are shown separately from EDI-VAN fees. We will tell you the estimated amount before you start, and a monthly cap applies.

What is the difference between VAN-based EDI and a direct point-to-point connection?

With the VAN method, the network sits in the middle, receiving documents and passing them on. With a direct connection (P2P), the two companies exchange documents directly with no intermediary. Direct connections are mostly made using AS2 (a method of exchanging encrypted documents directly over the internet), and large retailers often require it. EDI-VAN supports both methods, so we connect using whichever method your trading partner specifies. There is no additional fee for an AS2 direct connection. If your partner uses a different VAN, the VANs are linked together to pass the documents along, and we will tell you separately only about the actual communication costs incurred.

What certificates are needed for AS2, and do both sides need them?

AS2 normally requires both sides to have their own certificates and exchange them with each other, but if you use EDI-VAN, you do not need to obtain a certificate yourself. AS2 is "a method of exchanging encrypted documents directly over the internet," and a certificate is a digital ID used to lock documents and to verify that the sender is who they claim to be. EDI-VAN handles the AS2 connection with the retailer, and there is no additional fee for direct connections with large retailers. You can exchange documents with EDI-VAN using whichever method is most convenient for you: web entry screen, Excel/CSV, SFTP, or API. EDI-VAN takes care of technical work such as certificate setup, so just tell us the name of the retailer you trade with when you contact us.

What is an AS2 MDN and how does AS2 prove receipt of a document?

An MDN is a delivery confirmation receipt that the other party's server automatically sends back when it receives a document sent via AS2 (a method of exchanging encrypted documents directly over the internet). Because it records that the other party received the document along with an electronic signature, it serves as evidence of when the document arrived if a dispute later arises over a document being "not received." A similar item is the 997 acknowledgment, but the difference is that an MDN tells you "the document arrived through the channel," while a 997 tells you "the document was opened and its format was checked." Registered customers can see the delivery, acknowledgment, and error status of each document directly on screen. EDI-VAN proactively checking for missing acknowledgments and contacting you first is provided in the Dedicated plan; for the Custom and Direct plans, we will handle it on request.

How do I choose between VAN, AS2, SFTP, and API?

Your trading partner decides the channel on their side, and you can choose the method on your side to suit your company's situation. If a retailer specifies AS2 or a particular VAN, EDI-VAN adapts and delivers accordingly. The methods you can use to exchange documents with EDI-VAN are listed below from easiest to most advanced.

• Web entry screen: Start without a developer; suitable when you don't have many documents.
• Excel/CSV files: Upload and download the Excel data you already use as it is.
• SFTP/API: Use this when you have many documents or want to connect automatically with your ERP.

We will help you decide which method is right for you during a consultation, based on your document volume and the systems you currently use.

How does integrated EDI differ from web EDI?

Integrated EDI is a method in which your own system exchanges documents automatically, while web EDI is a method in which a person enters and checks documents directly on a web screen. Integrated EDI is connected to your ERP or warehouse system, so there is no need to re-key anything by hand, and it is advantageous when you have many documents. Web EDI can be started right away without development work, so it suits companies with low volumes or those just getting started. EDI-VAN supports both methods. You can start with the web entry screen or Excel and later move on to SFTP/API integration, and integration setup is handled under a separate quote.

How do I send an EDI 940 to a 3PL warehouse?

The 940 Warehouse Shipping Order is delivered automatically through EDI-VAN, in the format and channel the warehouse requires. All you need to do is enter the order information to be shipped into EDI-VAN through a web entry screen, an Excel file, or a system integration. EDI-VAN takes care of matching the format (conversion), sending it to the warehouse, and confirming that it was received. When the warehouse finishes shipping, a 945 Warehouse Shipping Advice is sent back so you can see the result. When you contact us, please tell us the name of the warehouse you plan to work with and share that warehouse's guide, if you have one.

How do I send an EDI 204 to a trucking carrier?

The 204 Motor Carrier Load Tender is delivered automatically through EDI-VAN, in the format and channel the carrier accepts. You enter the dispatch information, such as the shipment number, pickup date, origin and destination, and cargo volume, through a web screen, Excel, or a system integration. When the carrier accepts, a 990 Response to a Load Tender is sent back, and from pickup through delivery completion, status is shared automatically as 214 Transportation Carrier Shipment Status messages. EDI-VAN handles format conversion, delivery, and receipt confirmation. Please include the name of the carrier you plan to work with in your Contact us request to speed up the consultation.

Can one integration cover Amazon, Walmart, and Target?

Multiple retailers that trade by EDI can be connected together on a single network, and when you gain a new trading partner, you only need to add a connection. For Amazon, Vendor Central is connected by EDI and Seller Central is connected through the Amazon API. Whether other online marketplaces can be bundled together through APIs varies by marketplace, so we will confirm this during the consultation. If you use the sales and profit/loss module of EDI ERP, you can upload sales and settlement data from multiple marketplaces and view profit and loss on one screen. Please include the names of the marketplaces you want to connect in your Contact us request.

Should I use a supplier portal or require direct EDI integration, especially for small suppliers?

You don't have to choose just one. You can mix both: large partners participate through direct EDI, and small partners participate through a web screen. EDI-VAN adapts between the two in the middle, whichever method each partner uses, so on the retailer side you receive orders, shipments, and invoices from all partners in the same way. Small partners without their own systems can start right away with the web screen and receive orders in the same flow as large partners. EDI-VAN also handles partner onboarding guidance and testing on your behalf. If you tell us the size of your partners and how you currently place orders, we will help you work out the setup together.

What is the EDI 2024 problem in Japan?

The EDI 2024 problem refers to the issue in Japan where the end of the telephone line service (ISDN digital communication) means that legacy EDI that ran over those lines can no longer be used. Older EDI often connected directly to trading partners over telephone lines, but as the communication network shifts to an internet-based system, speeds drop sharply or the connection is lost altogether. This creates the task of moving to an EDI method that uses the internet. Whether this issue applies to your trading relationships, and whether you can move to EDI-VAN, will be confirmed during the consultation.

How should we respond to the EDI 2024 problem?

The key is to move legacy EDI that uses telephone lines to an internet-based method. EDI-VAN exchanges documents through channels that all use the internet, such as AS2 (a method of exchanging encrypted documents directly over the internet), SFTP, API, and web entry screens. However, whether we can support the formats and channels used by your trading partners in Japan is not confirmed in our materials, so we will confirm this during the consultation. If you include your trading partners' names, the method you currently use, and the date by which you need to switch in your Contact us request, we will review it and get back to you.

How does EDI connect two companies' systems?

EDI-VAN sits between the two companies. It receives documents, converts them into the format your partner requires, and delivers them through the channel your partner has chosen. The flow looks like this:

• Your company submits a document to EDI-VAN using one of the following: a web screen, Excel, SFTP, or API.
• EDI-VAN converts it into a standard format such as X12 or EDIFACT and sends it via AS2 or your partner's VAN.
• When your partner receives it, a 997 acknowledgment is returned. Documents your partner sends come back to you in a form that is easy for you to read.

It is a closed network, so documents only move between registered partners. Documents travel through encrypted channels and are exchanged automatically, 24 hours a day.

Do both trading partners need EDI?

No, both sides do not need an EDI system. Usually the side that requires EDI, such as a large retailer, already has it. The other side can send and receive the same documents using EDI-VAN's web entry screen or Excel files. EDI-VAN handles the format conversion and delivery in the middle, so you can get started without a developer or separate EDI software. If you have no system at all, you can also manage orders, inventory, shipping, and invoices together with an EDI ERP.

What is the difference between SFTP and FTP in EDI?

Both are ways of exchanging files, but the biggest difference is that SFTP encrypts the channel, while FTP does not. Trading documents such as purchase orders and invoices contain pricing and partner information, so EDI usually uses the encrypted method. EDI-VAN offers SFTP (automatic file transfer) as one of the ways customers can send and receive documents automatically. If your trading partner requires a different file transfer method, we can check it with you during a consultation.

What are the pros and cons of web EDI versus direct EDI such as AS2, and when should I use each?

Web EDI is easy to start with, while direct connections such as AS2 are better for processing large volumes of documents automatically. Here is how they differ:

• Web EDI (web entry screen): You can use it right in your browser without a developer. However, a person has to enter and check the data, so it suits smaller document volumes.
• AS2 (a method of exchanging encrypted documents directly over the internet): Systems exchange documents automatically, and large retailers often require it. However, running it yourself requires systems and security management.

With EDI-VAN, you work through the web screen or Excel, and EDI-VAN connects to the retailer side via AS2. There is no additional fee for direct AS2 connections.

What are VAN interconnects and how do they route EDI messages?

A VAN interconnect links EDI-VAN with another VAN so that documents can be delivered when your trading partner uses a different network (VAN). A VAN is a network that works like a mailbox, receiving documents and passing them on for you. You only need to submit your documents to EDI-VAN, and EDI-VAN takes care of delivering them to your partner's VAN. The actual communication costs incurred are billed separately from the service fee. We tell you the estimated amount before you start, and a monthly cap is applied.

What does direct EDI mean, and is AS2 considered direct EDI?

Direct EDI is a method of exchanging documents by connecting directly with your trading partner, without going through an intermediary mailbox (VAN), and AS2 is the most common direct method. AS2 exchanges encrypted documents directly over the internet and is mainly required by large retailers. EDI-VAN connects directly via AS2 with retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Amazon Vendor, and there is no additional fee for these connections. Even if you do not run AS2 yourself, you can get the same result through EDI-VAN.

Why would a company choose a VAN over direct connections?

The most common reason for choosing a VAN is that a trading partner specifies that documents must be sent to their VAN mailbox. Another reason is that when you have many trading partners, you don't have to set up and manage a separate connection for each one. EDI-VAN handles both direct connections (AS2) and VAN connections, so you only need to connect to EDI-VAN. EDI-VAN also takes care of converting documents to match the other party's method, delivering them, and confirming receipt.

How do AS2 certificates get exchanged between partners?

EDI-VAN handles the AS2 certificate exchange as part of trading partner registration and testing. A certificate works like a digital seal: it encrypts documents and verifies who sent them. To trade over AS2, both sides must exchange certificates in advance. All you need to prepare is the connection guide you received from your distributor and the contact details of the person in charge. EDI-VAN sets up the specific procedure and settings based on the distributor's guide.

Can AS2 be used without a VAN?

Yes. AS2 is a direct connection method, so in principle you can exchange documents without a VAN. However, running it yourself requires an always-on system and security management, and you have to set up a separate connection for each trading partner. With EDI-VAN, EDI-VAN handles the AS2 direct connection at no additional charge. Partners who use a VAN are also connected through the same place.

Do I need a dedicated server for AS2?

If you use EDI-VAN, you do not need a dedicated AS2 server on your side. Running AS2 yourself generally requires an always-on system and security management. With EDI-VAN, EDI-VAN handles the AS2 connection with your distributor on your behalf. You can send and receive documents in whichever way is most convenient for you: the web entry screen, Excel/CSV files, automatic file transfer (SFTP), or system integration (API).

Can one EDI connection work with multiple trading partners?

Yes. Once you connect to EDI-VAN, you can exchange documents with multiple trading partners. Even if each partner requires a different format (X12, EDIFACT) or channel (AS2, VAN), EDI-VAN adapts between them in the middle. When you get a new trading partner, only a connection needs to be added, and your own way of working does not change. Pricing depends on the number of trading partners; adding 1 trading partner costs $330 per year. You can calculate the amount for your conditions right away with the calculator on the pricing page.

What is a browser-based EDI portal?

A web EDI portal is a screen where you enter and check trading documents in an internet browser, without installing or developing any software. EDI-VAN also provides a web entry screen that you can use without a developer. Registered customers can see the documents they have sent and received on this screen, along with their status (delivered, receipt confirmed, error). It suits companies with a small document volume that want to get started quickly. EDI-VAN handles converting and sending documents in the format your trading partner requires.

When should I use an EDI API instead of a VAN?

An API does not replace a VAN. It is a way to connect your own system to EDI-VAN automatically. It is a good fit when you want your ERP or online store to exchange documents directly, with no manual handling. Even then, EDI-VAN still handles the connection to the retailer's side (AS2/VAN). For example, Amazon Seller Central sellers connect through the Amazon API instead of EDI. If you need integration work, EDI-VAN can build it under a separate quote, and we will decide together in a consultation which approach suits you.

Does a VAN provide tracking and delivery confirmation?

Yes. EDI-VAN tracks delivery and receipt confirmation for every document. Registered customers can see the documents they have sent and received, along with their status (delivered, receipt confirmed, error), on screen. A 997 acknowledgment is your trading partner's reply confirming that they received the document. Incoming documents and 997s are free. With the dedicated-support plan, if a receipt confirmation is missing or your partner rejects a document, EDI-VAN will look into it first and contact you. The record retention period depends on your plan; SCALE keeps records for 3 years.

How much data entry is required with web EDI?

The amount of manual entry in web EDI depends on the types and number of documents you send. EDI-VAN's web entry screen can be used without a developer. In exchange, the documents you send (for example, 855 Purchase Order Acknowledgment, 856 Ship Notice, 810 Invoice) are entered by a person on the screen. Incoming documents can be viewed directly on screen. If the volume grows and entering data becomes a burden, you can reduce manual entry with these options:

• Uploading Excel or CSV files
• Automatic file transfer (SFTP)
• System integration (API)

Details such as which fields the entry screen pre-fills can be confirmed in a consultation.

How do I send an ocean booking request using EDI 300?

EDI 300 is not on the currently published list of supported documents, so we will confirm it with you in a consultation. The 300 is the document a shipper or forwarder uses to request an ocean shipping booking from a carrier. EDI-VAN will discuss document types that are not in the table if you ask. Please leave the name of your shipping line and the documents you need in Contact us. Please also note that import/export customs declarations are not an EDI-VAN service.

Do I need a Peppol Access Point to send invoices to Germany?

Whether you need Peppol depends on which method your German trading partner (the invoice recipient) requires. Peppol is an e-invoice exchange method used in Europe and elsewhere, in which invoices are exchanged through a connection point called an Access Point. If your partner receives EDIFACT invoices (INVOIC) via EDI, EDI-VAN can format the invoice and deliver it directly. If your partner requires Peppol, we will review it on request. We will confirm in a consultation, based on the guide you received from your partner.

Can Amazon Vendor Central EDI and SP-API be used at the same time?

Yes, you can use both together. Vendor Central, where you supply products to Amazon, connects through EDI. Seller Central, where you sell directly on Amazon, connects through the Amazon API (SP-API, a channel for systems to exchange information directly). If your company does both, each is connected separately, and you can manage order, inventory and shipment information together in the system you already use. We will explain the scope you need and the setup cost in a consultation.

How does Walmart Marketplace integration work compared with vendor EDI?

In general, marketplace selling uses an API integration, while vendor supply uses EDI document exchange. Whether Walmart Marketplace integration is supported will be confirmed during a consultation. Vendor EDI is a supply method in which you receive the 850 purchase order sent by the retailer, then send an 856 ship notice and an 810 invoice. Marketplace integration usually means that, as the seller, you exchange order, inventory and shipping information system to system. The actual requirements follow the guide Walmart sends you. Please state your business type (supplying or selling) when you contact us.

What is the difference between AS2, SFTP, and API for marketplace integration?

All three are channels for exchanging documents, and your trading partner usually decides which channel to use.

• AS2: Documents are encrypted and exchanged directly with your partner over the internet.
• SFTP: Files are uploaded to and downloaded from a secure file storage location.
• API: A connection where systems exchange information directly whenever it is needed.

EDI-VAN supports all three channels and connects you using the channel your partner has chosen.

Can I connect Amazon Vendor Central without a VAN?

Yes, you can connect with Amazon without going through another VAN. EDI-VAN connects directly with large retailers such as Amazon using AS2 (a method of encrypting documents and exchanging them directly over the internet). There is no additional fee for this connection. Format conversion and Amazon testing are supported by EDI-VAN in the Custom plan. If you prefer to do it yourself, the Self-service plan provides standard formats and guidance. The requirements follow the guide Amazon sends you.

What is the difference between a supplier portal and Web EDI?

With a supplier portal, you log in to a site built by the retailer and enter data there. With Web EDI, what you enter is converted into the required EDI format and delivered into your partner's system. Each retailer's portal has a different site and different instructions, so the more partners you have, the more places you have to manage. EDI-VAN's web entry screen can be used without a developer. EDI-VAN delivers documents in the format and channel your partner requires, and also checks that they arrived. When you gain a new trading partner, you only need to add a connection.

Should every supplier connect the same way, or can they choose between integrated EDI and a web portal?

Yes, you can let each supplier choose the method that suits them. EDI-VAN adapts and delivers in the middle, whichever method a supplier uses. The available methods are the web entry screen, Excel/CSV, automatic file transfer (SFTP), system integration (API), AS2, and interconnection with other VANs. Even small partners without a system can start right away and receive orders in the same way as larger partners. EDI-VAN also handles partner onboarding guidance and testing.

What are the disadvantages of using a supplier portal instead of EDI?

A portal requires people to enter data manually, which takes a lot of effort and makes mistakes and delays more likely. You have to download each purchase order and re-key it into your own system, and enter shipments and invoices one by one. Each retailer has a different portal, so the management burden grows as you add partners. If documents are late or wrong, the retailer may charge you penalties. With an EDI connection, documents move automatically between systems, and receipt is confirmed every time.

How do I decide which suppliers need full EDI integration?

In general, we recommend asking suppliers with high order volumes and a large share of your business to connect with full EDI integration first. For these suppliers, manual entry makes errors and delays pile up easily. Smaller suppliers with low volumes or no systems of their own can start with a web entry screen or Excel, and you can still exchange orders with them in the same way. If you share your supplier list and rough order volumes, we will help you sort them out in a consultation.

Can EDI and APIs work together in a hybrid integration architecture?

Yes, you can use EDI and APIs together. For example, your side can send data through an API, and EDI-VAN can convert it into the format the retailer requires (X12 or EDIFACT) and deliver it. Some setups also split the connection, such as Amazon, where shipments use EDI and sales use an API. Even if each trading partner needs a different method, EDI-VAN bridges the differences in the middle. We will decide the exact setup together with you in a consultation.

Can EDI support real-time or near real-time data exchange?

Yes, depending on the connection method, data can be exchanged in near real time. On EDI-VAN, documents move automatically 24 hours a day without anyone handling them. On the trading partner's side, documents can be delivered right away through channels such as AS2 (a method of exchanging encrypted documents directly over the internet). On your side, if you connect through a system integration (API) or automatic file transfer (SFTP), documents pass through immediately without anyone uploading them manually. However, how often the partner's system picks up and processes documents depends on the partner, so we will confirm the exact flow with you in a consultation.

Do we have to go through a VAN provider for EDI?

No, you do not have to use a VAN. A VAN is a network that receives documents and delivers them on your behalf (like a mailbox). Besides this, there are also methods for exchanging documents directly with your partner (AS2) and automatic file transfer (SFTP). Your trading partner usually decides which channel to use. EDI-VAN supports all of these channels and delivers documents using the method your partner has chosen. Direct connection (AS2), which large retailers often require, is available at no additional charge.

What do suppliers need to access a large company's EDI portal?

To use an EDI portal run by a large company, you usually need to go through that company's supplier registration process. The required documents and procedures differ from company to company, so please check against the supplier guide that the company sent you. If the company allows system-to-system connections (such as AS2 or a VAN) instead of the portal, EDI-VAN will convert and deliver your documents using that method. If you leave the guide you received and your desired start date in a Contact us inquiry, we will confirm in a consultation which method fits.

Can I manage EDI manually if I only receive a few orders a month?

If your volume is low, you can handle it by entering data by hand, without any development work. EDI-VAN offers a web entry screen and Excel/CSV file upload, so even without a developer or a separate system, we convert and send your documents in the format your trading partner requires. However, trading partners often set a deadline for when each document must be sent, and retailers may charge fees if documents are late or wrong. Even if you handle things manually, please test thoroughly before you start, and switch to automatic file transfer or system integration when your orders increase.

What communication methods are most common for EDI onboarding?

The three communication methods most often used during onboarding are AS2, VAN, and SFTP. Which one you use is usually decided by your trading partner.

• AS2: Documents are encrypted and exchanged directly over the internet. Large retailers often require it.
• VAN: A network that receives documents on your behalf and delivers them (like a mailbox).
• SFTP: Files are automatically uploaded to and downloaded from a designated server.

EDI-VAN supports all of these methods, and if your partner uses a different VAN, we connect the VANs and pass the documents along.

What certificates or credentials are needed for EDI testing?

The certificates and credentials you need depend on the communication method your trading partner has chosen. For methods that require mutual identification, such as a direct connection (AS2), both sides exchange connection details, and EDI-VAN handles this setup and exchange for you. All you need to do is prepare the connection guide (implementation guide) sent by your trading partner and the contact details of their representative. If you prefer to do it yourself, the Self-service plan provides standard templates and guidance.

What kind of companies is Web-EDI suitable for?

Web-EDI (EDI entered through a web screen) suits companies that handle a small number of documents and have no developers or systems to integrate. You check orders on the web screen and enter ship notices and invoices, and EDI-VAN converts them into the format your trading partner requires and sends them. It is a good way to get started right away for small suppliers and sellers who are being asked to use EDI for the first time. As your volume grows, you can move step by step to Excel files, automatic file transfer (SFTP), and system integration (API).

How do we choose the right EDI method for our company?

Choose based on your document volume, the systems you currently use, and whether you have IT staff.

• Low volume and no system: the web entry screen or Excel/CSV files
• You have an ERP or online store and high volume: automatic file transfer (SFTP) or system integration (API)
• No system at all: an EDI ERP that connects directly to EDI-VAN

You can also choose among the Self-service, Custom, and Dedicated plans, depending on whether you want to handle conversion and testing yourself or leave it to EDI-VAN. Tell us about your trading partners and the systems you use now, and we will help you decide on the right method in a consultation.

What EDI communication protocols are there?

EDI communication methods fall into two groups: the channel used to exchange documents with your trading partner, and the way your company submits and receives documents.

• Trading partner side: direct connection (AS2, where documents are encrypted and exchanged directly over the internet), VAN (a network that receives documents on your behalf and delivers them), and SFTP (automatic file transfer)
• Your company's side: web entry screen, Excel/CSV file upload, SFTP, and system integration (API)

EDI-VAN bridges the two sides even when they use different methods, so you can start with the ERP, online store, or Excel files you already use.

What is non-repudiation in AS2?

Non-repudiation is a safeguard that prevents the sender from later claiming "I didn't send it" and the receiver from claiming "I didn't receive it." In AS2 (where documents are encrypted and exchanged directly over the internet), a digital signature is attached to the document, and the receiver returns a signed receipt, proving who exchanged what and when. Because this serves as evidence if a dispute arises over an order or invoice, large retailers often require this method. EDI-VAN handles this connection and the receipts for you, and keeps a record of what was exchanged so you can view it on screen.

Can web EDI convert forms into EDI documents?

Yes. What you enter on the web input screen is converted by EDI-VAN into the EDI format your trading partner requires and then sent. Whether your partner uses the North American standard (X12) or the European standard (EDIFACT), you enter your data on the same screen. In the other direction, purchase orders sent by your partner are also converted and shown on screen in an easy-to-read form. Before sending, the format and content are checked, and you are notified if there is a problem.

Is HTTPS used for EDI APIs?

All documents, including those exchanged through EDI-VAN's system integration (API), travel over an encrypted channel. The API is a way for your ERP or online store to exchange documents directly with EDI-VAN, without anyone handling them manually. Specific connection methods and integration guidance are provided during registration. If integration work is needed, EDI-VAN can take it on under a separate quote. For more details, we can confirm them in a consultation.

What is store-and-forward in EDI?

Store-and-forward is a method in which the network first receives and holds the document you send, then delivers it to your partner. It is similar to putting a letter in a mailbox, where the recipient picks it up when it suits them. So even if your partner's system is briefly offline or busy, the document is not lost; it waits and is delivered. A network that does this on your behalf is called a VAN (a network that receives and delivers documents for you). EDI-VAN also receives and delivers documents this way, and records a receipt confirmation showing that your partner received them successfully.

Should low-volume suppliers use a portal or manual order entry?

For low volumes, what your trading partner requires comes first. If your partner allows you to enter data in its own portal, a portal may be enough. But if your partner requires EDI, or if the number of trading partners grows, entering data by hand for each partner becomes a burden and mistakes become more likely. EDI-VAN offers a web input screen that needs no developer, as well as Excel/CSV file upload, so even low volumes can be sent as EDI documents in a way that feels similar to manual entry. To decide which approach fits, tell us your trading partners and document counts and we will work it out with you in a consultation.

Which is faster for order processing, EDI or APIs?

Which is faster depends less on the method itself and more on how often your systems send and check documents. An API (a connection where systems make requests and respond directly to each other) often exchanges data instantly, one transaction at a time. EDI sometimes sends documents in batches, but if it is set up to send documents immediately, it is fast enough. Also, the method used on the trading partner's side is usually decided by the partner (the retailer). With EDI-VAN, on your side you can submit documents in whichever way is convenient: API, automatic file transfer, or web input. On your partner's side, EDI-VAN adapts to the method the partner requires and delivers automatically, 24 hours a day.

Can APIs handle the same transaction volumes as EDI?

Yes, APIs can handle large transaction volumes too. But what matters more than volume is which method your trading partner requires. Most large retailers want to receive standard EDI documents. With EDI-VAN, you can send and receive documents through an API on your side, while documents go to your partner in the EDI format and channel the partner requires. For high volumes, the applicable rate is calculated right away by the calculator on the pricing page or by the AI assistant.

What is the difference between VAN and AS2 for EDI?

The difference between AS2 and a VAN is whether documents go directly to your partner or through an intermediary network. AS2 encrypts documents and exchanges them directly with your partner over the internet, and many large retailers require this method. A VAN is a network that receives documents on your behalf and forwards them, much like a mailbox. At EDI-VAN, a direct AS2 connection has no additional charge. If your partner uses a different VAN, the VANs are linked to pass documents along. The actual communication costs for this are shown separately from our fees, and we tell you the estimated amount before you start. Your trading partner decides which method to use, and EDI-VAN handles adapting to that method.

Is an MDN required for AS2 messages?

Whether you need to receive an MDN is determined based on the guide sent by your trading partner. An MDN is a transmission receipt reply confirming that a document sent via AS2 arrived at your partner's server. It is different from a 997, which is a reply confirming that the content of the document was received. EDI-VAN checks that documents have arrived and notifies you if a problem occurs. EDI-VAN takes care of the related settings, so all you need to do is prepare the retailer's guide. We will confirm the specific handling during a consultation.