EDI Using APIs — The Modern Approach

Traditional EDI uses file-based communication (via VANs, AS2, SFTP, etc.), while API-based EDI uses web services to send/receive data instantly between systems like SAP, Oracle, or Amazon Vendor Central.

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1. REST API in EDI

REST APIs are the modern choice for cloud-based EDI platforms (like Cleo, SPS Commerce, or TrueCommerce).

Example: Sending an EDI 856 (ASN) through REST API

Scenario:
Supplier ships goods to Amazon and sends the ASN using an EDI REST API.

Request:

POST https://api.edi-platform.com/asn
Content-Type: application/json
Authorization: Bearer <AccessToken>

Payload (JSON):

{
  "transactionSet": "856",
  "senderId": "SUPPLIER123",
  "receiverId": "AMAZON",
  "shipment": {
    "shipmentId": "SHIP12345",
    "orderNumber": "PO56789",
    "shipDate": "2025-10-20",
    "items": [
      { "sku": "B0C2ZNX6T8", "quantity": 10 },
      { "sku": "B0C3LMK5P9", "quantity": 5 }
    ]
  }
}

Response:

{
  "status": "SUCCESS",
  "asnId": "ASN78910",
  "message": "ASN received successfully by Amazon."
}

Advantages of REST EDI:

• Real-time integration (no waiting for batch jobs).

• JSON format — easy for modern applications.

• Better visibility and faster error handling.

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2. SOAP API in EDI

SOAP APIs are often used in large enterprise systems (like SAP, Oracle EBS, or healthcare systems) where reliability, security, and transaction validation are critical.

Example: Sending an EDI 850 (Purchase Order) through SOAP API

Request (XML):

<soapenv:Envelope xmlns:soapenv="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/"
                  xmlns:edi="http://edi.company.com/">
   <soapenv:Header/>
   <soapenv:Body>
      <edi:SendEDIMessage>
         <edi:TransactionSet>850</edi:TransactionSet>
         <edi:SenderID>BUYER001</edi:SenderID>
         <edi:ReceiverID>SUPPLIER001</edi:ReceiverID>
         <edi:Data>
            <edi:PO>
               <edi:OrderNumber>PO12345</edi:OrderNumber>
               <edi:OrderDate>2025-10-20</edi:OrderDate>
               <edi:Item>
                  <edi:SKU>B0C2ZNX6T8</edi:SKU>
                  <edi:Qty>20</edi:Qty>
               </edi:Item>
            </edi:PO>
         </edi:Data>
      </edi:SendEDIMessage>
   </soapenv:Body>
</soapenv:Envelope>

Response (XML):

<soap:Envelope xmlns:soap="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/">
   <soap:Body>
      <SendEDIMessageResponse>
         <Status>Accepted</Status>
         <ControlNumber>000123456</ControlNumber>
      </SendEDIMessageResponse>
   </soap:Body>
</soap:Envelope>

Advantages of SOAP EDI:

• Strong error handling (ACK/NACK within the response).

• Secure (WS-Security, encryption, and digital signatures).

• Reliable delivery (guaranteed message acknowledgment).