eCom is the GS1 term for electronic commerce. One of the most important forms of electronic commerce is Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

What is EDI?
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the computer-to-computer exchange of business documents between companies, using a standard format. EDI replaces the traditional processes of preparing data in paper form and sending it by mail or fax. The use of EDI bridges the previous information gap that existed between companies with different computer systems and applications.

EDI is based on the use of message standards, ensuring that all participants use a common language. A message standard consists of uniform formats for business documents which have been adopted for electronic transmission purposes. It also includes security and control elements and other rules and conventions relating to the use of transaction sets that all users agree to follow.

Benefits of GS1 eCom based EDI
The use of globally recognised GS1 eCom EDI standards such as GS1 XML and GS1 EANCOM provide:

• Faster responses and reduced lead times
• Fewer out of stock situations
• More accurate inventory projection
• Increased transaction processing speed
• Fewer transaction handling errors