GS1 Germany supports companies on their way to secure and error-free digital data exchange

For many years, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has been the backbone of efficient data communication in trade and consumer goods industries – both nationally and internationally. Whether it’s orders, delivery notifications or invoices: EDI ensures smooth communication between business partners.

With the advent of new technologies such as APIs, XML and JSON, the spectrum of digital communication options is expanding – and with it, the demands on companies to strategically expand and further develop their EDI activities Whether it’s new partners, additional message formats or more complex data structures: further developing EDI is no longer the exception, but rather a central part of modern, digitally integrated supply chains.

However, this also comes with the challenge of reliably adapting existing message content to new requirements, ensuring data quality, and avoiding friction during go-live. This is often where uncertainties arise:

Are the new data sets truly correct? How can potential errors be avoided before we go into real-time operation? How can I, as a company, support my partners during the go-live of new or changed messages?

EDI Checker: For error-free data and smooth implementation

This is where the EDI Checker comes in – the web-based validation solution that GS1 Germany makes available to all interested parties. When introducing and changing digital data, companies achieve significant acceleration in the EDI implementation process and excellent data quality by using the EDI Checker, which is available around the clock.

The EDI Checker from GS1 Germany enables profile-specific validation of EDI test data and supports the formats ORDERS, DESADV and INVOIC based on EANCOM^® 2002. Syntax and semantic checks based on current EANCOM^® implementation guidelines ensure improved data quality and minimise the risk of errors during live operation – that is, before data is used in real-time.

“We are convinced that the EDI Checker makes an important contribution to the digitalisation of business processes and will help companies succeed in a changing world, ” says Roman Strand, Senior Manager Master Data + Data Exchange at GS1 Germany. ,,We’ve received consistently positive feedback from EDI Checker users.”

EDI Checker Highlights

• Ready for use 24 hours a day – flexible and requires no installation
• Faster implementation of new and changed digital data – error-free even before go-live
• Real EDI messages can be used – realistic testing environment
• Detailed feedback – including online view of the standard specification and error report
• Comprehensive checks: syntax- and semantics for top data quality

• Data security & reliability – checks take place without saving data, ensuring data protection and compliance
• Free of charge for ALL

“With the EDI Checker, we enable a faster implementation cycle before EDI goes live. It even makes sense to test real EDI messages to ensure data quality,” emphasises Roman Strand, Senior Manager Master Data + Data Exchange at GS1 Germany. “In today’s fast-paced business world, it’s more important than ever that EDI processes run smoothly and data is transmitted without errors. Companies that show weaknesses in this area risk competitive disadvantages and operational inefficiencies.”

Try it now – simple and online

The EDI Checker is available free of charge to anyone interested and can be accessed directly via this link

Partner for GS1 Germany: GEFEG – experts in digital standards and structured data quality

GEFEG brings over 35 years of experience in the digitalisation and standardisation of data at both national and international levels – and is a recognised expert when it comes to digital standards, data harmonisation and compliance.

GEFEG has worked successfully with GS1 Germany for many years on the development and maintenance of industry-relevant data standards. This includes the German-English version of EANCOM^®, the world’s most important and widely used EDIFACT subset in trade, as well as the complementary GS1 XML standard. GEFEG also plays an active role in the further development of the UN/CEFACT reference data models focusing on supply chain processes – such as the electronic invoice.

As a provider of the powerful software solution GEFEG.FX, GEFEG supports companies in the planning, creation and validation of structured digital standards. The EDI Checker, the customer-specific version of the GEFEG.Portal for GS1 Germany, is continuously developed by GEFEG and offers a practical, future-proof solution for the successful use of standardised EDI processes. The web-based GEFEG.Portal solution for checking compliance with digital data standards such as UN/EDIFACT, GS1 EANCOM^® and ISO 20022 is used successfully by numerous companies. It also enables IT managers to ensure compliance with company and industry-specific standards and thus supports smooth and standard-compliant data exchange with business partners. By recognising and correcting potential errors at an early stage before going live, it helps to increase efficiency and reduce costs in EDI projects.

With GEFEG and GS1 Germany, companies can rely on sound expertise, reliable solutions and future-oriented data quality.