The Standard Exchange Format (SEF)
EDI Tool for Developers
The Standard Exchange Format (SEF) is an open-standard, computer readable, text format that contains the schematic information of an EDI document. SEF files are used to convey the EDI implementation guidelines of trading partners.
The purpose of SEF is to standardize the format of EDI implementation guidelines, so that it can be programmatically read; and thus making it possible to create EDI applications that can directly import and read the SEF files to obtain the rules and instructions contained in them for constructing, translating and validating EDI documents.
The advantages of SEF over other file formats (e.g. pdf, doc, html, and paper) are:
- It is an open standard, which allows you to create your own SEF files and distribute them without any permission or having to pay any royalty fees.
- SEF files are immediately useable by both users and computers.
- SEF files are small electronic files that can be transmitted easily over the Internet.
- SEF files can be edited with a text editor or with our SEF Manager, and can be read with the SEF reader.
A Synopsis of different EDI standards
http://www.theedizone.com/edi_resources/edi_standards.html
Different EDI Standards
EDI incorporates standard layouts for all business documents. However, there are different standards available. The decision as to which standard to adopt is usually determined by what is already in general use within your business sector and by mutual agreement with your trading partner.
There are four main technical standards:
- UN/EDIFACT - the main standard supported by the UN
- ANSI X12 - common in USA, Canada and Australia
- TRADACOMS - predominantly used in the UK
- ODETTE - developed in the UK for the motor industry.
Each standards body publishes definitions of the documents, which may be exchanged electronically. An EDI message represents common business documents and its definition specifies the content and sequence of the data to be included.
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