Complete Guide to EDI Integration in Odoo (ANSI X12, EDIFACT & XML)

How EDI Automation Transforms Odoo for Retail, Logistics & Manufacturing

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has become an essential part of modern supply chains. Whether you're working with retailers like Amazon & Walmart, global logistics providers, or large-scale manufacturers—EDI is no longer optional.

At Vraja Technologies, we help companies seamlessly integrate EDI automation inside Odoo using ANSI X12, EDIFACT, and XML standards.

This guide explains everything you need to know about EDI and how Odoo can transform your business through automation.

What is EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)?

EDI is a standardized method of electronically exchanging business documents between two organizations — without manual work.

Instead of sending:

• Emails
• PDFs
• Excel files
• Handwritten notes
• Manual data entry

EDI allows one ERP system to talk directly to another ERP system in machine-readable structured formats.

*👉 In simple words:

EDI replaces human-readable documents with system-readable documents.**

Before EDI vs After EDI

Before EDI

• Purchase orders were emailed or faxed
• Heavy manual data entry
• High chances of errors
• Approvals took hours or days
• No real-time visibility

After EDI

• Documents move automatically
• Near real-time processing
• Zero re-keying
• Higher accuracy
• Faster order-to-cash & procure-to-pay cycles

Industries That Rely on EDI

EDI usage is industry-driven and often mandatory.

 Manufacturing

• Purchase Orders (POs)
• Production schedules
• Supplier acknowledgments

 Retail & E-Commerce

Required by: Amazon, Walmart, Costco, Target, BestBuy, etc.

Vendor onboarding requires EDI compliance.

 Logistics & 3PL

• Shipment notices
• Warehouse transactions
• Freight billing

 Banking & Finance

• Payment files
• Remittance advice

Popular EDI Standards Explained

1 ANSI X12 (Used in USA & Canada)

ANSI X12 is the most widely used EDI format in North America, especially in:

• Retail
• Manufacturing
• Logistics
• Healthcare

Common X12 Transaction Codes

Code	Description
850	Purchase Order
855	PO Acknowledgement
856	ASN (Advanced Ship Notice)
810	Invoice
846	Inventory Inquiry
997	Functional Acknowledgment

📌 Used heavily by US retailers and 3PL companies.

2 EDIFACT (Global / Europe)

EDIFACT is the UN-approved international EDI standard, used across:

• Europe
• UK
• Asia
• Global supply chains

Common EDIFACT Messages

Code	Description
ORDERS	Purchase Order
ORDRSP	Order Response
DESADV	Dispatch Advice
INVOIC	Invoice
CONTRL	Functional Acknowledgement

📌 Preferred by European suppliers, automotive, and global logistics.

3 XML EDI (Modern & Flexible)

XML is popular for modern API-driven and cloud-based integrations.

Used in:

• Custom integrations
• Hybrid EDI + API workflows
• SaaS platforms
• B2B integrations

Supplier-Side EDI vs. Customer-Side EDI

Understanding this is crucial.

 ​

Supplier-Side EDI (Inbound)

You receive files from customers → Odoo processes them.

Examples:

• Customer sends 850 PO → Odoo creates Sale Order
• Customer sends 856 ASN request
• Customer sends 810 Invoice acknowledgment

 

Customer-Side EDI (Outbound)

Odoo sends files to your suppliers/customers.

Examples:

• Odoo sends Purchase Order
• Odoo sends ASN after delivery
• Odoo sends Invoice

✔ We support both inbound & outbound EDI workflows.

How Vraja Technologies Helps With Odoo EDI Integration

We build end-to-end EDI automation into Odoo with support for:

Supported EDI Standards

• ANSI X12
• EDIFACT
• XML EDI

Supported Exchange Directions

• Supplier → Odoo (Inbound EDI)
• Odoo → Customer (Outbound EDI)
• Two-way complete automation

Key Features of Our Odoo EDI Solution

 1. Automated Document Flow

• Auto-import EDI files from SFTP/FTP/API
• Auto-create Sale Orders / Purchase Orders
• Auto-validate, process & post documents

2. Full Mapping Engine

• Segment → Odoo field mapping
• Partner-specific rules
• SKU/UPC/EAN product code mapping

 3. Multiple Communication Options

• SFTP
• FTP
• VAN networks
• REST API / JSON endpoints

 4. Supported Documents in Odoo

• Sales Orders
• Purchase Orders
• Deliveries (ASN)
• Invoices
• Credit Notes

 5. Acknowledgements & Error Handling

• X12 997 / EDIFACT CONTRL
• Error logs
• Retry logic
• Partner notifications

Business Benefits of EDI Integration in Odoo

 1. Lower Operational Costs

• No manual entries
• Less workforce required
• Fewer mistakes to fix

 2. Faster Operations

• Orders processed in minutes
• Faster invoicing & payments

 3. Higher Data Accuracy

• Standardized structure
• Zero re-entry mistakes

4. Stronger Partner Compliance

• Retail/3PL EDI compliance becomes easy
• Faster onboarding

 5. Real-Time Visibility

• Shipment status
• Order lifecycle
• Inventory updates

Why Choose Vraja Technologies for Odoo EDI?

✔ Proven experience in complex EDI workflows

✔ Supports supplier-side and customer-side EDI

✔ Works with Odoo v17, v18, v19

✔ Highly configurable mapping engine

✔ Scalable for large enterprises

✔ Industry expertise: Retail, 3PL, Manufacturing