EDI - Electronic Data Interchange is the electronic transmission of data (from one computer to another) by agreed message standards from one trading partner to another. EDI documents or messages generally contain the same information that would normally be found in a paper document used for the same organisational function.

Automating these processes reduces the need for paper, cuts out any duplication of work, and means fewer mistakes due to human error. The sending company creates the electronic message and the receiving company interprets it, without the need for any human involvement.

EDI provides trading partners with a fast and efficient business tool for the automatic transmission of commercial data from one computer application directly to another. Companies do not need to worry about different incompatible computer systems. Through the use of GS1 EDI messaging standards, data is communicated quickly, efficiently and accurately irrespective of users internal hardware and software types.