EDI Mapping Software

Etasoft's XTranslator can map Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) X12 files and assist you with parsing through the complex data codes. A trial version of the software is available.

See this example of an EDI file in 830 format.

In XTranslator we can select from any one of hundreds of EDI templates. Go to Tools . . .Template Wizard. For this example scroll down to the x12_3050 menu. The templates show us that the 830 EDI code is for a planning schedule. Import the template.

On the Properties tab in the Processing section, enter the path to the text file containing the EDI code that you want to review.

Press play on the toolbar. The fields in the EDI file will be loaded in the tree. Select any one field and click on the Data tab on the right to view the content.

Electronic Data Interchange

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a general term which refers to the transfer of business data between two companies' computers. It differs from more common methods of data transfer such as email, in that it doesn't involve human users executing the transfer. Purchase orders from buyers and invoices from suppliers may be exchanged without the need for staff to input information received from the outside party.

ANSI, EDIFACT, TRADACOMS and ebXML are common EDI formats. Electronic Data Interchange, American National Standards Institute X12 is the most widely used. An example of an EDI X12 file is posted below. Two or three letter codes identify different segments listed on different lines. An asterisk (*) is usually used as a separator.

The ST shown on the fourth line of the code identifies it as a particular time of transaction. There will be a separate ST code for each transaction. See the list of codes posted here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X12_Document_List

ST*837 is used for health care claims. It is a specific EDI standard mandated by HIPAA. Software is available which will facilitate the review of EDI files. See this example from the EDI Academy which gives you descriptions of the codes used in the file.

ISA*01*0000000000*01*0000000000*ZZ*ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO*ZZ*123456789012345*101127*1719*U*00400*000003438*0*P*> GS*HC*99999999999*888888888888*20111219*1340*1377*X*005010X222 ST*837*0001*005010X222 BHT*0019*00*565743*20110523*154959*CH NM1*41*2*SAMPLE INC*****46*496103 PER*IC*EDI DEPT*EM*FEEDBACK@1edisource.com*TE*3305551212 NM1*40*2*PPO BLUE*****46*54771 HL*1**20*1 PRV*BI*PXC*333600000X NM1*85*2*EDI SPECIALTY SAMPLE*****XX*123456789 N3*1212 DEPOT DRIVE N4*CHICAGO*IL*606930159 REF*EI*300123456 HL*2*1*22*1 SBR*P********BL NM1*IL*1*CUSTOMER*KAREN****MI*YYX123456789 N3*228 PINEAPPLE CIRCLE N4*CORA*PA*15108 DMG*D8*19630625*M NM1*PR*2*PPO BLUE*****PI*54771 N3*PO BOX 12345 N4*CAMP HILL*PA*17089 HL*3*2*23*0 PAT*19 NM1*QC*1*CUSTOMER*COLE N3*228 PINEAPPLE CIRCLE N4*CORA*PA*15108 DMG*D8*19940921*M CLM*945405*5332.54***12>B>1*Y*A*Y*Y*P HI*BK>2533 LX*1 SV1*HC>J2941*5332.54*UN*84***1 DTP*472*RD8*20110511-20110511 REF*6R*1099999731 NTE*ADD*GENERIC 12MG CARTRIDGE LIN**N4*00013264681 CTP****7*UN NM1*DK*1*PATIENT*DEBORAH****XX*12345679030 N3*123 MAIN ST*APT B N4*PITTSBURGH*PA*152181871 SE*39*0001 GE*1*1377 IEA*1*000001377

Electronic Discovery Institute Class 32: Write Right

Here's a continuation of my postings about the Electronic Discovery Institute's online e-discovery certification program, that you can subscribe to for just $1. I last blogged about this program on October 7, 2018. Go to https://www.lawinstitute.org/ to sign up for it. The course entitled, Write Right, is taught by Chris Liwski, senior corporate counsel for Sanofi US, and Patrick Oot, former senior special counsel for the SEC.

Overview & Goals

More than 100 billion business emails are sent each day, and the total is only expected to increase in the future. Email may reside on a company's server for years after it is sent. It's important to 'write right'. One must recognize and avoid the risks of emails.

Before email, attorneys used to take considerable time preparing memoranda. After the introduction of emails messages, communications were sent to opposing counsel and clients without as much care and sometimes without sufficient context.

There are many high profile cases in which emails have been smoking gun evidence. Emails may reveal a particular party's mental state with respect to a claim. In the Enron / Arthur Andersen litigation emails between executives and accountants showed that they destroyed evidence which would incriminate them. Opposing counsel may try to transform mundane email messages into smoking gun evidence by showing them to a jury in a false light.

Plaintiffs in a class action suit against Fedex alleged that it overcharged business customers for residential deliveries. The plaintiffs were able to use emails that showed their one of sales executives was aware of the problem and chose not to correct it because it was worth so much money to Fedex. The suit was settled for $21 million.

An email message is considered by the courts to be a business record. There is no such thing as a private email, which discusses business affairs. Emails have to be saved as soon as a company receives notice of litigation. Emails which showed that Merck scientists knew of the risks of Vioxx, led them to agree to a settlement with plaintiffs for $5 billion dollars.

People too often compose emails to communicate their thoughts as they would communicate them orally. In April 2007, Bear Stearns hedge fund managers exchanged emails stating that they thought the subprime market was toast. They were later arrested for fraud. Private email, where people feel freer to express their thoughts, can end up in document productions.

The destruction of email messages can lead to sanctions. It may be wise to send email as a last resort, and instead try to communicate first face-to-face or over the phone.

Important Tips

1. Say it Don't Send It - consider alternate communication methods.

2. Reconsider Reply All - think about the audience you're sending a message to.

3. Brevity is a Virtue

4. Be Cautious with Humor - it may get lost in translation.

5. Different Cultures Speak and Write Differently.

6. Keep the Style Readable and Avoid Emotion

7. Keep it Clean - Don't swear

Company email is company property and should only be used for the purposes of furthering the business.