EDIdEv - Electronic Data Interchange Development

EDI Software Evaluation Guideline

Since time can be an issue when evaluating a product, (which if not checked can become very costly), we have not only provided a full featured evaluation copy of Framework EDI, but also a guideline to assist users during their evaluation.

Basic knowledge of the Product

One must have the basic knowledge and understanding of the product before evaluating it to form an adequate expectation of the product.  Some points to determine are:

1. Definition 

2. Purpose 

3. Requirements 

4. Cost 

5. Solution and niche of the product

Support of the Product

It is important to determine the kind of support you're getting during the evaluation phase because it reflects and would inevitably be the kind of support you'll receive after the purchase of the product.

1. Documentation

2. Email support

3. Sample programs

4. Frequently Asked Questions page

5. Customer Support Website

Features of the Product

When evaluating an EDI product, one must expect the basic functions to be included (as part of the features of the product) that are essential for exchanging EDI files with your trading partner.  Basic features of an EDI software are:

1. Supports X12 and UN/EDIFACT standards

2. Parses EDI files

3. Constructs EDI files

4. Acknowledges EDI files

5. Secures EDI files

6. Transmits EDI files

Limitations of the Product

The limitations of the product must be determined before purchasing it to avoid future problems.  The performance of the product  must meet all your present expectations.  Also, one should try to be aware of the vendor's vision and future plans of the product to compare if it is parallel to your own, so that you can determine if your future requirements would be met.

1.  Features of Version

2. Quantity of EDI files

3. Size of EDI files

4. License Restrictions

5. System Limitations

 

Evaluating Framework EDI

Below are recommended steps to expedite your evaluation of Framework EDI:

1.  Download Framework EDI Evaluation. 

2.  Unblock the zip file (right-click on file, select Properties, then click Unblock), and then extract file.

3.  Install Framework EDI as administrator (right-click on file, then select "run as admin")

4.  If you're new to EDI, click here to view a show about "Basics of EDI".;

5.  Obtain sample EDI files, and their implementation guidelines from your trading partner.

6.  Find the SEF file equivalent of your trading partner's implementation guideline from our website or email support@edidev.com.  For more about SEF files, click here.  For example, if your trading partner's implementation guideline is based on the 850 4010 Transaction Set, then you should use an 850_4010.SEF file with the FREDI component for processing their EDI files.

7.  Load the SEF file into the SEF Manager Utility and compare the rules in the SEF file with those of the implementation guideline documentation that you received from your trading partner.  You can make the necessary changes to the SEF file with the SEF Manager so that it matches with your trading partner's guideline.  For more details, please read Creating/Editing an implementation guideline.

8.  Load your trading partner's sample EDI file into the eFilemanager Utility, and familiarize yourself with the EDI file structure (e.g. area, data segments, data elements), and compare it with the SEF file as viewed in the SEF Manager.

9.  Download related sample programs posted here on our website.  Open and view their source codes to get an understanding of how the FREDI component is used in your programming language of choice to process EDI files.

10.  Finally, just dive in and get started.  We offer remote consulting/training sessions to help you with your project and train you at the same time.  For more details, please read Remote EDI Training.




Definition

EDIdEv Framework EDI is an EDI development tool that includes an ActiveX / COM and application utilities to facilitate the development of EDI systems. Return

Purpose

Framework EDI provides a set of commonly used, well tested functions for processing EDI files to programmers so that more of their programming time will be used in developing the business logic of their application, and not spent on the tedious and complicated task of manipulating data to conform to the rules and regulations of the EDI standard. Return

Requirements

One must be able to develop with a programming language that supports COM components to fully utilize the Framework EDI software.  We also recommend that Framework EDI be installed in a computer with at least 256Mb RAM, and a CPU speed of 1Ghz.  Return

Cost

For programming development, one needs either the Professional license ($995) or the Enterprise license ($2850).  When your programs are deployed, a Runtime License ($100)  is required per computer, or a Server/Site Runtime License ($450) per site.  In addition, you would need a SEF file for every type of Transaction Set/Message you will be supporting.  SEF file prices range from $30 to $90.  Email support is free, and there are no yearly fees. Return

Solution and niche of the product

In most companies (if not all) the responsibility of their EDI system is designated to their IT (computer) department.  Aware of this, we've provided a product to empower IT programmers of managing EDI processing by giving them the flexibility to create tailored yet robust EDI solutions that directly tackle their company's EDI needs. Return

Documentation

Framework EDI includes a help documentation that explains its methods (functions) and properties. Updates of this documentation can be downloaded at our "Documentation Update" web page, which also includes PowerPoint presentations to help users get started with Framework EDI. Return

Email Support

We provide free email basic support to our customers as well as to users who are evaluating our product.  Email: support@edidev.com.  You can also subscribe to our Maintenance & Support to get free updates and support beyond basic support. Return

Sample Programs

To jump start some EDI projects, we've provided a variety of sample programs that includes HIPAA, business, web applications etc.  These sample programs can be downloaded from our "Sample Programs" web pages, and some are available for purchase. Return

Frequently Asked Questions

We have provided an FAQ page so that users can find answers to most commonly asked questions. Return 

Customer Support Website

When users buy a Framework EDI License, they will receive a UserID and password to login to our Customer Support website where they can find more support materials. Return

Supports X12 and UN/EDIFACT standards

Framework EDI supports all versions and transaction sets (documents) of EDI X12 and UN/EDIFACT standards, including industry versions that follow the X12 and EDIFACT standards (for example HIPAA and EANCOM). Return

Parses EDI files

Framework EDI components parses (translates) EDI files down to their data elements and exposes their values through methods or properties of objects.  Programmers only need to map these values from the objects to database fields or any output variables.  Sample programs can be downloaded from our "Sample Programs" web pages.  Return

Constructs EDI files

Framework EDI components constructs (generates) EDI files.  Programmers do not have to concern themselves with manipulating data to create a correctly formatted EDI document because the components does it automatically for them.  They only need to map values from their database fields or variables to the properties of the components' object.  Sample programs can be downloaded from our "Sample Programs" web pages.  Return

Acknowledging EDI files

Functional acknowledgment (X12 997), Implementation acknowledgment (X12 999) and Syntax Message (UN/EDIFACT CONTRL) can automatically be created by simply enabling a property in the Framework EDI component.  Sample programs can be downloaded from our "Sample Programs" web pages.  Return

Securing EDI files

Before sending EDI files to their destination, it is prudent to secure them to keep the confidentiality and integrity of the message safe.  Framework EDI supports X12.58 Security Structures standard, and EDIINT AS2 for securing EDI files.  Sample programs can be downloaded from our "Security X12.58" and "AS2 EDIINT" web pages.  Return

Transmitting EDI files

Framework EDI provides various methods for sending and receiving EDI files over the Internet.  The file transport protocol supported are FTP, SMTP, HTTP, HTTPS and AS2.  Return

Versions

Framework EDI can parse and construct all versions and transaction sets (documents) of EDI ASC X12 andUN/EDIFACT standards.  However, for the current version of Framework EDI, some features are only supported for the X12 standard files.  Please see table:  Return

Standards Parse Construct Acknowledge X12.58 EDIINT AS2 Transmit
ASC X12 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
UN/EDIFACT Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Quantity of EDI files

There is no limit to the number of EDI files Framework EDI can parse or construct.  From our test, there is no degradation in performance that is related to the number of EDI files.  We have provided sample programs at our "Performance Test" web page for you to download if you wish to test Framework EDI's performance on your own machine.  Return

Size of EDI files

With the cursor type of the Framework EDI component set to Forward, there is no size limitation to an EDI file it can process.  We have provided sample programs at our Performance Test web page (then scroll to the bottom) for you to download so that you can test the component's performance on your own machine.  Return

License Restrictions

Framework EDI (FREDI) Developers licenses (Enterprise or Professional) must be installed on development machines; a runtime license must be installed on the machine where your application is being deployed. FREDI licenses do not expire nor have recurring fees. Applications you create that use the FREDI component have no limit to the number of users, EDI files exchanged, and trading partners.  Return

System Limitations

Framework EDI supports only Windows Operating Systems version XP / 2008 / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10.   Return


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