A formal EDI environment also provides a level of convenience for sending out distribution copies and maintaining security. EDI comes into the picture when contract requirements move beyond data access or passive view-only mode to the actual delivery of the data. When the contract data must be extracted or delivered electronically, ANSI X12 is the industry and federally mandated data exchange standard. Having the data in your hands allows you to import the data into a variety of other application systems for further analysis and reporting. However, it is important to verify with the VANs and EDI translation software vendors what version and releases of the standards they support.
Some VANs also work better with other specific VANs.
You may want to get a list of the DoD certified VANs from the Joint Electronic Commerce Program Office to find the VANs that work well with the government. The Internet can be used to exchange EDI messages. Commercial industry is slowly migrating to use of the Internet as security and routing control features are added, typically to eliminate VAN service charges. The main issues that need to be addressed when exchanging EDI messages over the Internet are security, access control, routing control, backups, and receipt and acceptance procedures. Some EDI translation software vendors are also adding Internet connections with security options for their products.