ShipNetwork EDI

The EDI 850 is an electronic Purchase Order sent from a buyer to a seller requesting goods or services. It is usually sent to a seller/vendor as the first step in the ordering process, and can be used both for a single purchase, for recurring purchases, or to delete or amend an order as specified by the buyer.

The electronic purchase order outlines what products buyers want to order and in what quantities. It also describes when buyers want to receive the products and where they should be shipped to (such as a distribution center, a store or the end consumer).

The primary purpose of the EDI 856 Advance Ship Notice (ASN)/Manifestisto provide detailed information about a pending delivery of goods. It is typically sent from a product supplier or a third-party logistics provider to a retailer or distributor, to advise of a shipment. It is required by many major retailers to be sent in a specific timeframe before the product arrives at the retailer’s distribution center or store.

The ASN describes the contents that have been shipped as well as the carrier moving the order, the size of the shipment, ship date and in some cases estimated delivery date.

The EDI 846 is an electronic version of a paper inventory update, also known as Inventory Inquiry/Advice. It is most commonly used by retailers to inquire about a supplier’s inventory levels and for suppliers to advise on the number of units they have on hand. This document also informs the retailer what inventory will be available in the future.

An EDI 846 can be sent by suppliers at different frequencies, ranging from multiple times a day to a few times a week. The Inventory Inquiry/Advice is often used in e-commerce order fulfillment, specifically for drop shipping, where the retailer controls the eCommerce website.