Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Trading Partner Series: EDI Integration for Target

If you manufacture or distribute consumer goods, then chances are you either deal with Target or you want to. And just like another other retail giant, Target prefers to use EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) to purchase goods from their vendors. Target’s EDI requirements are available by visiting Target’s Partners Online portal. This portal is used to communicate with partners and provide valuable information about the business. If you are going to be selling to Target, this is where you will find all the information you need to begin the process of setting up EDI with Target. Below is a list of the documents that are used most often with Target.

EDI 810 - Invoice

EDI 850 - Purchase order

EDI 855 - Purchase order acknowledgement

EDI 856 - Advance ship notice (ASN)

EDI 864 - Text message

EDI 875 - Grocery purchase order

EDI 880 - Grocery invoice

These documents are fairly straight forward and we have covered them in previous installments of this series so I am going to focus on something new this week - EDI communication methods. Target’s EDI specifications allow you to communicate with them via a two methods. They allow you to either communicate via AS2 (direct internet connection) or you have to go through a VAN network. Given the choice most companies will go done the route of AS2 communication. Most AS2 solutions will eliminate the transaction fees that a VAN network will bring to the table. There are some AS2 solutions out there that will still charge per document, fortunately eBRIDGE Software’s ePortal EDI Solution will allow you to connect to Target via AS2 or VAN without the kilo-character charges or transaction fees that may be associated with these methods. For more information on Target’s EDI requirements and our EDI solution for Target feel free to contact me with the information below.

Cheers,
Jay

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