| 1. What is ASC x12? |
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| In 1979, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) chartered the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12 to develop uniform standards for inter-industry electronic exchange of business transactions, namely electronic data interchange. |
| 2. What is a EDI in health care? |
| Used to submit health care claim billing information, encounter information, or both, except for retail pharmacy claims (see EDI Retail Pharmacy Claim Transaction). It can be sent from providers of health care services to payers, either directly or via intermediary billers and claims clearinghouses. |
| 3. What is an 835 and 837? |
| The EDI Health Care Claim Transaction set (EDI 837) is used to submit health care claim billing information, encounter information, or both. It can be sent from providers of healthcare services to payers, either directly or via intermediary billers and claims clearinghouses. |
| 4. What is 837 in healthcare? |
| EDI 837 Health Care Claim: The EDI 837 transaction set is the format established to meet HIPAA requirements for the electronic submission of healthcare claim information. The claim information included amounts to the following, for a single care encounter between patient and provider: A description of the patient. |
| 5. What is x12 format? |
| Just to put it simply - EDI X12 (Electronic Data Interchange) is data format based on ASC X12 standards. It is used to exchange specific data between two or more trading partners. Term 'trading partner' may represent organization, group of organizations or some other entity. |
| 6. How are the X12 standards developed? |
| The members of ASC X12 come together three times each year to develop, maintain and build on uniform standards for EDI, known as X12 standards. This process is open, involves discussion and consensus, and results in ballot, approval and standard registration with ANSI. |
| 7. What is a release and/or subrelease? |
| A complete set of X12 standards is called a release. Twice a year, following the February and June ASC X12 meetings, the X12 standards are republished in a 'subrelease,' which contains changes made since the previous release. Each release and subrelease represents a 'snapshot' of the X12 standards database that is continually evolving. |
| 8. Are releases and subreleases compatible? |
| Different releases and subreleases are NOT compatible. Transaction sets, segments, and data elements must all be used at the same version/release level. Releases and subreleases are designated by a six-digit code that represents a version, release, and subrelease level. For example, Version 3, Release 6, Subrelease 2 is designated '003062.' When referring to releases and subreleases, drop the first two zeros of the code. This catalog employs this abbreviation. |
| 9. Which release or subrelease do I use? |
| The decision on what standards are needed is influenced by many factors, including what version(s) current and possible future trading partners use. The four-digit code in the last column indicates the release or subrelease in which each standard was first published; the standard appears in each subsequent release and subrelease unless otherwise noted. With over 300 transaction sets approved and continuously maintained since their inception, X12 standards can be used to conduct nearly every facet of e-commerce. |
| 10. What are X12 Technical Reports & Guidelines? |
| Technical reports and guidelines are ASC X12-approved documents to promote consistency and coherency among information processing systems utilizing X12 standards.To encourage uniform standards implementation, X12 technical reports are in three formats: type 1-tutorials, type 2-reference models and Type 3-implementation guides. Tutorials walk users through a specific standard and convey the developer's intended use of that standard or transaction set. Reference models illustrate the use of a group of transaction sets as they relate to each other and business applications.Guidelines disseminate the technical and logical concepts reflected in the standards, or convey information on the 'state-of-the-art' as it relates to EDI, the X12 standards, or a particular aspect of the standards. Guidelines are not specific to a single X12 standard or version/release. |
| 11. What is UN/EDIFACT? |
| In 1986, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) approved the acronym 'UN/EDIFACT,' which translates to United Nations Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport. UN/EDIFACT is the international EDI standard designed to meet the needs of both government and private industry. |
| 12. Who develops and maintains UN/EDIFACT? |
| The UN/EDIFACT Working Group (EWG), a permanent working group of the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), develops and maintains UN/EDIFACT. |
| 13. What is EDI? |
| It's Alive and Kicking! Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the computer-to-computer exchange of business data in standard formats. In EDI, information is organized according to a specified format set by both parties, allowing a 'hands-off' computer transaction that requires no human intervention or rekeying on either end. All information contained in an EDI transaction set is, for the most part, the same as on a conventionally printed document. |
| 14. What is XML? |
| It's Working in Concert with EDI! XML, or Extensible Markup Language, is a high-powered Web language developed for e-business. Unlike HTML that displays text and images now found on Web pages, XML enables the exchange of structured data over the Web. |
| 15. What is CICA? |
| CICA stands for Context Inspired Component Architecture and is a revolutionary approach to message design to help resolve the costly proliferation of differing and often incompatible XML messages used for business-to-business data exchange. A flexible architecture populated with an ever-growing collection of reusable components designed to fulfill intra- and cross-industry data interchange needs, CICA is the result of years of collaborative development by business process and technical experts from multiple vertical industries. CICA is a syntax-neutral architecture, which supports both business content and implementation information. CICA message ('documents') can currently be expressed as XML and will, in the future, support additional formats such as X12's EDI syntax. CICA message definitions will also be expressed in RDF (Resource Description Framework) and OWL, a Web Ontology Language. CICA enhances message structure reusability and interoperability, and makes it possible to use the same architecture as future markup languages are developed. |
| 16. Who typically uses EDI? |
| EDI is used in nearly all the major industries such as automotive, aerospace, retail, finance and CPG sectors. EDI is regarded as the standard for the electronic exchange of documents from one company to another. |
| 17. What is a business partner? |
| An EDI business partner is simply another company that you exchange documents with. Most OEMs will have a large network of business partners which are sometimes referred to as 'Trading Communities'. |
| 18. An EDI partner that I am working with has asked me to use a specific EDI solution, do I need to use exactly this method to send documents? |
| EDI solutions are regarded as universal in nature and there are a number of functioning standards in existence which govern how companies should send EDI documents to one another. Your exact choice of which EDI solution to use should be aligned with those which suit your business requirements the best. |
| 19. Is EDI difficult to implement? |
| EDI can be implemented almost immediately, depending on the type of EDI solution chosen. If it is a web-based solution hosted by your customer or client, then all you will need to do is log into their web portal and simply fill in the necessary online forms before sending the required documents. More complex systems will require software to be installed on your company's network that will then allow integration with your back-office systems. An EDI system can be considered as an evolving solution. As your business grows and you begin trading with more partners, the complexity of your EDI system will grow as well. |
| 20. What is the difference between EDI provided by a VAN and EDI delivered over the Internet? |
| VAN stands for 'Value Added Network', which is private network where EDI traffic is exchanged securely. Business partners will typically require an account with an EDI VAN such as GXS and this account simply acts as an electronic mailbox to both send and receive electronic documents. In addition to sending EDI documents to your business partner via a VAN it is also possible to send EDI documents between VANs, these are known as 'interconnects'. Interconnects are beneficial in so much as they will give you access to a much broader range of business partners distributed across the world. Whilst EDI VANs have been around for nearly 30 years now, the Internet does provide an alternative method of transferring EDI documents. Even though the business benefits of using both are similar, the deciding factor of which to use will depend upon the partner agreement that has been prepared. Ideally, both EDI business partners need to use the same method of transport, either a VAN or direct exchange through the Internet. Many of the larger companies will insist that all their suppliers should use the same method of sending documents. |
| 21. What types of EDI solutions are available for me? |
| Essentially there are three types of EDI solutions: EDI software, web-based EDI and EDI service bureaus. EDI software resides directly on a computer that your company owns and offers the highest level of flexibility and control. EDI software also allows you to possibly integrate with back office systems, thus improving business process efficiency. EDI documents are exchanged directly between your EDI software and your business partner's EDI software. This 'point to point' method of communication allows for minimal delays and reduced errors and a secure method of interacting with business partners. Since the software for web-EDI resides on the Internet, using it requires some type of internet connection. Web based EDI is an interactive process and requires manual entry of your EDI information. This method provides little opportunity for integration and lessens the control you have over the day to day operations. Since data with a web-based EDI system is interactive, customization of the EDI process is very limited. EDI service bureaus act as EDI contractors performing your EDI operations, they will typically use some form of pay as you go method. An EDI service bureau provides the least control over your day to day operations and the smallest opportunity for data integration with your business systems. |
| 22. Why would I choose an EDI software solution over a web-based or service bureau solution? |
| The first consideration is to understand the impact that EDI will have on your business processes. Since web-based and service bureau solutions will have a 'manual' element embedded in the process, there is scope for introducing errors to the business process. EDI software allows you to exchange data directly with back office systems, thus eliminating manual errors in the process. The time saved entering data and eliminating errors allows your company to spend more time improving order fulfillment and more importantly improves customer satisfaction levels. The important thing to remember is that whatever EDI solution is chosen it will impact your company's operation moving forwards. |
| 23. Do I need specific experience to be able to do EDI? |
| In most cases you will not need specific experience; it is directly related to the type of EDI solution you end up choosing for your business. Internet based EDI solutions are normally 'hosted' by a company and you merely access this through a web browser. This is therefore the simplest method of interacting with an EDI system. If you decide to implement EDI software then it would be advisable to ask your chosen EDI vendor to undertake some simple training for your employees. |
| 24. I have heard of outsourcing IT services. Is it possible to outsource EDI? |
| Yes, as with any other form of IT technology, EDI can be outsourced to a company with the necessary resources to manage your total EDI requirements. GXS Managed Services provides an EDI outsourcing capability and this service will look after your complete EDI requirements - from developing maps to link documents together to recruiting partners to form trading communities. GXS has successfully worked with 135 companies around the world to undertake the management of their EDI infrastructures. GXS Managed Services will allow you to enable your entire supply chain, on a global basis, if required to do so. |
| 25. I don't have the resources to be able to recruit business partners and explain my EDI strategy to them. Is there a way of achieving this efficiently? |
| Yes, GXS Community Link allows a company to quickly recruit business partners to your EDI program. GXS will undertake the necessary marketing of your EDI service to your potential business partners and will work with them to ensure they are able to trade documents with your company as quickly and seamlessly as possible. |
| 26. I currently use a number of automotive suppliers based in China. Is it possible to trade electronically with these companies, if so, how is it achieved? |
| Yes, it is possible to trade electronically with automotive suppliers in China. GXS recently announced a partnership with China Enterprise Online Data Exchange Services Ltd (CEDEX). This partnership has developed one of the only trading hubs dedicated to China's growing automotive industry. The hub allows automotive companies in China to trade documents with both their domestic and international customers. China e-AutoHub is directly connected to GXS Trading Grid which allows a seamless connection to any business partner around the world. |
| 27. I have heard about various EDI related industry associations and data standards. Are these important? |
| Yes, the industry associations are very important as they will allow you to implement industry best practices and get a better understanding of what other companies, in terms of EDI usage, are doing in your particular industry. They also work closely to develop industry standards for document exchange. These are important to understand if you want to implement EDI correctly and hence obtain a competitive advantage in the market place. Please take a look in the 'Resources' area of this microsite to find out further information about the numerous industry associations and EDI document types. |
| 28. I have heard that EDI is a relatively old technology. Is this true? |
| EDI has been around for over thirty years now and is regarded as a very mature IT technology. As EDI is so entrenched within many companies it is very difficult to replace with another technology overnight. As new technology, such as the Internet, has emerged, EDI has had to embrace these new technologies to remain an efficient business tool for communicating documents between companies. EDI will be around for many years to come. |
| 29. What is an EDI file? |
| Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is an electronic communication method that provides standards for exchanging data via any electronic means. ... It also refers specifically to a family of standards. |
| 30. What is EDI in e commerce? |
| Electronic data interchange (EDI) is the most commonly used B2B e-commercetechnology today. It is the computer-to-computer exchange of business documents, such as purchase orders and invoices, in a standard electronic format between business partners. |
| 31. What is an EDI transaction? |
| The remittance information identifies the electronic payment by invoice, purchase order, or any other identifiers the recipient requires. The Federal Government refers to these payments by various terms, such as "Financial Electronic Data Interchange (FEDI)," 'Corporate ACH,' or 'Vendor Express.' |
| 32. What is EDI format? |
| Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the electronic interchange of business information using a standardized format; a process which allows one company to send information to another company electronically rather than with paper. Business entities conducting business electronically are called trading partners. |