Resources

EDI and MFT knowledge, in one place

From glossary terms to in-depth guides, these are the resources we point our own team to -- and now our customers, too.

Blog

Perspectives on EDI, MFT, and B2B integration trends, practices, and platform news.

Case Studies

Detailed looks at how organizations solved specific EDI and integration challenges.

Whitepapers

In-depth guides on EDI strategy, platform selection, and integration architecture.

Guides

Step-by-step reference material for common EDI and MFT tasks.

EDI Knowledge Base

Reference articles covering EDI standards, transaction sets, and implementation patterns.

MFT Knowledge Base

Reference articles covering managed file transfer protocols, automation, and troubleshooting.

EDI Specifications

Background on how trading partner specifications are structured and maintained.

EDI Transaction Sets

Reference material on common X12 and EDIFACT transaction sets used across industries.

EDI Error Codes

Reference material for interpreting common EDI syntax and compliance error codes.

EDI Glossary

Definitions for EDI terminology, from ASN to VAN.

MFT Glossary

Definitions for managed file transfer terminology and protocols.

Webinars

Recorded sessions on EDI, MFT, and integration topics.

Videos

Short-form videos covering product walkthroughs and EDI concepts.

FAQs

Answers to common questions about EDI, MFT, and working with Sonnet.

FAQs

EDI & MFT basics

What is EDI?

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the structured, computer-to-computer exchange of business documents -- such as purchase orders and invoices -- between trading partners, using standardized formats like X12, EDIFACT, or TRADACOMS instead of paper or email.

What is an ASN in EDI?

An Advance Ship Notice (ASN, typically the X12 856 transaction set) is an electronic notification sent by a supplier to a customer detailing the contents of a shipment before it arrives, including item, quantity, and packaging information.

What does 'managed file transfer' mean?

Managed file transfer (MFT) refers to secure, automated, and monitored movement of files between systems or trading partners, typically over protocols like SFTP, AS2, or FTPS, as opposed to ad hoc or manual file transfer methods.

What's the difference between a VAN and direct EDI connectivity?

A Value-Added Network (VAN) is a third-party intermediary that routes EDI documents between trading partners. Direct connectivity (via AS2, SFTP, etc.) exchanges documents directly between partners without an intermediary. Many organizations use a mix of both depending on the partner.

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