EDI: an introduction

Electronic data interchange, or EDI, can be defined as “the paperless exchange of information between computer systems”. Instead of keying of the same data by numerous organisations at different stages, this represents the old idea that data should be entered once only and subsequently passed electronically between all relevant parties. Within the ordering framework this removes duplication of effort, thus saving time and money and reducing the chances of inaccuracies. The full implications for the various parties involved are considered in much greater depth by the contributors to this issue.