EDI2XML

15
Aug 2013
(Last Updated On: February 20, 2024)

EDI Communication and VANs

What is a VAN ?


A Value Added Network (VAN) is considered the “post office” where business partners can collect and sort EDI documents coming through. As of today, a considerable amount of EDI transactions are still going through VANs, however this number is always in constant decline considering the popularity of the internet, its reduced cost as well as the level of security someone can implement with internet communication protocols. Most of the “major players” in the retail industry, have switched to a point-to-point communication of EDI files and transactions using one or many of the following secured communication protocols for a point-to-point EDI exchange:

  • FTP (not secured – plain text)
  • sFTP
  • Https
  • AS2
  • AS3
  • telnet
  • “bisync modem” to communicate through a value added network (VAN). This is the oldest method of secured communication

Please see the graphical description on how an EDI communication happens:

Point to Point communication
 


2 COMMENTS

  • accivatravels

    20.02.2024 | Reply

    Thank you for sharing this informative article! It’s a concise and clear clarification of what a VAN is and its value in digital information interchange. This will assist readers recognize the idea better. Great job!

    • Tatyana Vandich

      Tatyana Vandich

      20.02.2024 | Reply

      Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad to hear that you found the article informative and helpful in understanding VAN. If you have any further questions or topics you’d like to explore, feel free to let me know. Keep on learning and exploring!

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