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EDI and its Benefits

WHAT IS EDI?

EDI - 'Electronic Data Interchange' - is the direct communication of trading messages between computer systems, using national and international telecommunications networks.

EDI trading messages can be as basic as orders and invoices, but EDI can also develop into a much more sophisticated information exchange, so that trading partners manage their whole supply chain more effectively.

Key elements in EDI are the application software at either end of the exchange, linked to EDI message handling software, linked to a communications network.

WHAT CAN EDI DO FOR ME?

At its most basic, EDI increases the speed and accuracy of trading communication, and cuts costs.

EDI will give you better and more up-to-date information on which to make business decisions if you are a publisher or bookseller, or budgetary commitments if you are a librarian.

EDI can link your business operations more closely to those of your key suppliers and customers, to the benefit of all parties in the supply chain.

EDI STANDARDS

Books are sold not only in specialist bookshops, but also alongside other products in larger stores. A book trade and library EDI system must be compatible with other retail EDI systems.

The book world is increasingly international. A national book trade and library EDI system must communicate internationally.

EDI messaging software can be costly to develop and maintain. Software packages to handle conversion and management of international standard EDI messages are widely available.

Any book trade or library EDI system should plan to adopt EDIFACT, the international message standard. EDItEUR is preparing EDIFACT message formats for book trade and library use.

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EDI FOR THE BOOK WORLD

EDItEUR, with the support of the EC Libraries Programme, has produced an introductory booklet, EDI for the Book World, which explains the benefits of EDI, EDI standards, EDI implentation cheklist and case studies. Read the full text or download it as a WORD 6 file.