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Individuals are constantly transferring files to their colleagues and trading partners, whether those files are Word documents, reports and spreadsheets, or shipping notices and acknowledgments. Most of the time, people simply assume these file transfers are safe.
But in reality, hidden risks abound.
Throughout the world, companies large and small alike are increasingly adding, expanding, and modernizing their electronic data interchange (EDI) communications. If you need to meet partner EDI mandates or wish to capture the many benefits afforded by EDI connectivity with more of your partners, you can take several approaches to EDI. Two of the most popular include value-added networks (VANs) and direct EDI (typically via AS2).
If you're new to EDI, you may be wondering what these options entail and which is right for your business. If you've been operating EDI for some time, you may be considering whether now is the time to switch. Let's dive in and explore the advantages and disadvantages of direct EDI with AS2 vs. VANs.
Organizations increasingly rely on data to serve customers, drive decision-making, and power business processes. This data is typically stored in files, across disparate applications, databases, and local machines and must be moved across the organization quickly to respond to real-time customer demands.
Businesses have long used multiple file transfer protocols and mechanisms to move data for different purposes. They might employ FTP for file transfer between computers on a network, protocols such as AS2 for EDI, and APIs to exchange data between applications. Typically, they have had no centralized or integrated processes for these different types of data exchange.