Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the electronic transfer of structured data between IT systems in a standardized and well-defined format, which eliminates the need for generating documents or rekeying information. EDI is based on message-transfer systems designed to transfer electronic data reliably and efficiently, without loss or corruption of data (such as systems based on the x.400 standard). The message structure is agreed upon by both the sender and the receiver systems (and the other systems in the network), down to the level of fields, in a private format or in a standard structure such as the EDIFACT or x.12 standards. In this way, "sectoral" EDI networks are generated which serve specific user bases, such as the Foreign Trade Office which processes all documents relating to foreign trade (export and import). The acronym FACT (in EDIFACT) stands for Finance, Agriculture, Commerce and Transportation. EDI is mentioned in MethodA in several places. Component 2.22 of the SCT covers interfaces and clear definition of the method of data transfer used by the IS. See also Appendix 2.22.4 (Data Transfer) in the SCT. A special section of MethodA covers cases in which the IS wishes to communicate with an EDI system and to ascertain that all the system components are tailored to an EDI environment. A special section of future MethodA versions, in the Infrastructure System section, will cover cases in which an end-to-end (infrastructure) overall EDI system is employed.

• See also Component 2.22 of the SCT

• See also Appendix 2.22.4 (Data Transfer) in the SCT Appendices

• See also the Communications Networks kit, in the Specifics volume.