The way in which electronic messages are communicated is broadly dependent upon the chosen standard.

In messaging applications using EANCOM, business messages are communicated through a secure third party network called a Value Added Network (VAN).

VANs are widely used, particularly in the retail sector and provide mailboxes for submission and receipt of EDI messages. A VAN has the advantage that it is secure and has a single point of connection

In applications based on GS1 XML, AS2 (Applicability Statement 2) is used to communicate electronic transactions securely and reliably over the Internet.

AS2 specifies how to connect, deliver, validate and acknowledge data. AS2 creates an envelope for a message which is then sent securely over the Internet. Security is achieved by using digital certificates and encryption.

AS2 has the advantage that it provides instant receipt of data and can be used to exchange traditional EDI messages as well as XML.