Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) in Dynamics™ NAV

The EDI granules include a logical mapping tool built inside Microsoft Dynamics NAV to allow the seamless mapping of EDI transactions with the business system.

Historically EDI translation has been handled outside the business system, leaving the final linkage into the business system database to programmers, hard coded programs, or even manual entry. The Lanham EDI granules take a new approach by incorporating the mapping and cross reference process inside the business system. This provides a single mapping process between the EDI segments and elements and the business system database.

In addition the EDI granule provides a thorough workflow process, tying the incoming or outgoing EDI document to the business transaction. This allows the user to drill down from a business document or EDI document to the related transaction.

Total Access to Data
The EDI Trace window shows an example of all transactions that were created and associated with an incoming 850 Purchase Order. The user can then drill down to view any document or transaction.

EDI Standards
The EDI granules fully support both the X12 and EDIFACT standards. In fact, both standards are often supported within a single transmission to or from a Value Added Network (VAN).In addition to these standards, each industry has added their own specific requirements to support their business transactions. Today the EDI granules are operating across all these standards.

Cross Reference Engine
Often the most difficult part of the EDI translation process is the cross referencing of incoming data to the business system data. For example, a trading partner typically orders an inventory item using one of several numbers, none of which may be the number you use to identify the item in your system. Because the EDI granule is built inside Dynamics NAV, it handles the cross referencing and mapping in a single step. The EDI granules handle cross referencing of Items, Units of Measure, Sell-To, Ship-To, Ship-For, and Distribution Centers.

Specific EDI Requirements

Several industries have specific requirements for their industries that are also supported by the EDI granule.

• Retail Compliance – Total retail compliance required by large Retail Chains is accomplished by using the EDI granules in conjunction with E-Ship.
• Automotive – The forecast and release process is typically required by automotive manufacturers ordering products for an assembly line. The EDI Granules handle the receipt of a forecast, release against the forecast and cumulative total reporting.
• Fashion – The Bulk Draw Down process is supported for the Fashion industry, allowing orders to be associated with blanket orders representing the total season commitment by a customer.

Built Inside Microsoft Dynamics™ NAV

Perhaps the most important part of an EDI solution is the integration with your internal business processes, yet many companies use a number of software packages, often not integrated, to accomplish this task, EDI and E-Ship, both built inside Dynamics NAV, take a unique approach of embedding all these functions inside a single system, providing “Total Access to Data.” From the incoming EDI Order, to shipment, Advanced Shipment Notice (ASN), and invoice, the user has a common user interface and access to all the details that make up the day-to-day operation.

Increased Customer Satisfaction

With superior visibility to real-time information, EDI provides you the tools necessary to automate and streamline your business processes, which enable you to respond to your customer demands on the fly, and with accurate information.

Respond Quickly to Changing Requirements

Whether setting up a new Trading Partner or responding to changes with an existing one, the EDI granule provides you the tools to quickly and efficiently comply with your customer’s or vendor’s changing requirements.

Key EDI Benefits:

• EDI’s mapping and translation tool maps EDI elements directly to the database fields.
• Packaged EDI maps available for major trading partners.
• Extensive Cross Reference Engine for customer, distribution center, store, item and unit of measure definition.

Combine EDI and E-Ship

• All granules and functions embedded into a single Supply Chain system providing “Total Access to Data.”
• Pack Line Scanning and Standard Pack capture package level detail for the Advanced Shipment Notice.
• Bill of Lading for planning and executing shipments.
• Label Formatter for UCC compliance labels and custom formatting.

EDI: SUMMARY:

Electronic Data Interchange or EDI is the exchanging of Standard business transactions through the use of standardized, real time and bi-directional file transfers with as little human intervention as possible.

Most companies implement EDI for one main reason - Larger Customers Demand It. Other reasons are:

• They process higher volumes of orders
• They need better communication through increased information
  Visibility
• Higher customer satisfaction due to fewer errors & attracting other large customers.

NAV Data Translation

EDI Design Criteria

• Implementation without programming
• Minimize complexity of EDI
• Reduce overall cost of EDI
• Support X12 Standards
• Map documents without requiring an external translation mapping tool from EDI S/W vendor.
• Thorough audit trail of all EDI transactions

Each company requires different information to process business transactions. Each company has a different ability to pick the pieces of information they choose to process. That information is then mapped to the appropriate business transaction. Each complete business transaction is represented in a document number. The business implication of the data in the document depends on whether you are sending or receiving the data.

External EDI Communication Flow

• EDI Fact Sheet (PDF Download)
• EDI White Paper (PDF Download)

E-Ship

Microsoft Dynamics™™ NAV E-Ship integrates the entire packing and shipping function within the Navision database. Until now Navision customers have interfaced with external shipping systems. These external systems, while doing a good job of rating and shipping packages, do not have knowledge of the items being shipped. Because E-Ship is held within Navision it can easily:

• Shop rates at Sales Order entry time thus allowing you to quote the shipping cost up front.
• Capture package level detail using our unique Scan Only packing operation.
• Interface with Scales to weigh packages.
• Use Barcode printers to print carrier approved shipping labels.
• Automatically calculate the cost and price of the container for COD and Insurance purposes.
• Compare the expected contents weight with the actual weight of the package thus preventing packing errors.
• Update the sales order with the appropriate freight charges.
• Use either G/L Accounts or Resources to post freight charges to a Sales Order.
• Track the cost of shipping by Shipping Agent and Service versus the amount charged to the customer.
• Track Packages and obtain delivery information from within Navision via the Internet.

Advanced Forecasting & Procurement

As a distributor or manufacturer your largest and most costly asset is inventory. Reducing inventory carrying cost and increasing margins can cause a greater effect on the bottom line than increased sales. By doing both, you will significantly increase profitability. For the Distributor or Manufacturer:

• Formula Based Forecasting - Best Fit Formula Approach.
• Use Collaborative forecast to fine tune your overall forecast.
• Use Vendor forecast to help your vendors anticipate your future needs.
• Roll-Up usage history and demand based on replenishment path to get a view of your entire supply chain.
• Identify surplus inventory and re-deploy to reduce total inventory.
• Use the unique Lead Time Horizon replenishment method for long lead times typical when importing products.
• Use the suggested order to review products by vendor, including the calculation details of the recommendation.

Specifically for the Distributor:

• Automated Calculation of Vendor Lead Times to the Warehouse, Vendor, and Item levels.
• Branch replenishment, including consigned inventory replenishment.
• Order Point, Line Point, and EOQ calculations for short to medium lead times.
• Lead Time Horizon calculations for longer lead times.
• Non-Stock and Special Order item processing.
• Full support for NAV Kit Processing. (NAV Versions 5.0 and newer)

Specifically for the Manufacturer:

• Use AFP Production to forecast finished goods and create simulated production orders for the planning horizon. (Typically several months)
• Component demand is considered by the suggested order when purchasing components for production.
• Can be used in conjunctions with NAV Production.

Related Fact Sheets

• E-Ship Fact Sheet (PDF Download)
• Advanced Forecasting and Procurement Fact Sheet (PDF Download)

EDI Configuration

The following granules can be purchased through your reseller from Microsoft:

Number	Granule Description
14000360	EDI Standard Required
14000380	EDI Extended Doc. Handling
14000910	EDI Packaged Maps Basic Required for Lanham Mapping Services

Read more | Got to Lanham Associates