Discover the differences between AS2 and EDI in this simple guide. Learn how AS2 secures and delivers the well-organized data formatted by EDI, crucial for efficient business communication.
In today’s world, exchanging data efficiently and securely is crucial for every business. AS2 and EDI are two important terms that often come up in this context. Although related, they serve different purposes. Let’s get to know what they are and the key differences between them.
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is a method used to transfer documents between businesses electronically. Think of it as a digital version of sending paper documents through the mail, but much faster and more reliable. EDI helps companies exchange important information like purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, and more.
How EDI Works: Instead of sending a physical document, companies send a structured digital file that follows a standard format. This ensures that the receiving system can understand and process the information without manual intervention.
Key Benefits of EDI:
Speed: Data can be exchanged almost instantly.
Accuracy: Reduces human errors associated with manual data entry.
Cost-Effective: Saves money on paper, postage, and administrative costs.
AS2 (Applicability Statement 2) is a secure B2B transfer protocol used to securely transmit EDI and other data types over the internet. In simpler terms, AS2 is a way to send EDI files securely between businesses.
How AS2 Works: AS2 creates a secure connection over the internet to send data. It uses encryption to protect the data and digital signatures to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the documents.
Key Benefits of AS2:
Security: Ensures data is encrypted and can only be read by the intended recipient.
Reliability: Confirms receipt of data with acknowledgments, reducing the risk of lost information.
Efficiency: Uses the internet for transmission, which can be more cost-effective than traditional methods.
| Purpose | Function | Scope | |
| EDI | Format and structure of the data being exchanged | Standardizes the information so it can be processed automatically by different systems | Can be used with different transmission methods, not just AS2 (e.g., FTP, VAN) |
| AS2 | Secure and reliable transmission of B2B data over the internet | Ensures that this standardized information can be sent securely and verified upon receipt | Specifically designed for secure internet transmission, often used for EDI data but not limited to it |
Imagine EDI as a well-organized and formatted letter, and AS2 as the secure and reliable courier service that delivers it. EDI ensures that the content of the letter is in a standardized format that the recipient can easily understand and process. AS2 ensures that the letter is delivered quickly, securely, and only to the intended recipient.
EDI standardizes business documents for digital exchange.
AS2 securely transmits these documents over the internet.
By understanding these two concepts, businesses can streamline their data exchange processes, improve security, and enhance efficiency in their operations.
We offer EDI and AS2 solutions for small to enterprise businesses. The key product solutions are as follows:
MFT Gateway: A hosted Software as a Service (SaaS) solution for AS2 file transfer.
AS2 Gateway: An on-premise installable solution for AS2 file transfer.
EDI Generator: Incorporates EDI exchange capabilities within your AS2 software.
Should you wish to test and evaluate the above solutions, you can sign up for a free trial today.
Rusiri is a Digital Marketing Manager at Aayu Technologies with over 10 years of experience in the digital marketing industry. She is skilled in planning, managing, and scaling various performance-based digital activities. She loves to learn new things and has a passion for creativity.
We are a US based company with Sri Lankan ingenuity majored in Cloud and Serverless technology based product engineering.
Our solutions power small businesses using our hosted SaaS solutions , to enterprises that run our software on-cloud and on-premise.
