Modern EDI: AS2, AS4, APIs and VAN Alternatives for Supply Chain Integration
Primary keywords: EDI integration, AS2, EDI API, VAN alternatives
EDI is the backbone of B2B document exchange. Modern projects move beyond legacy VAN-only models to hybrid approaches using AS2/AS4, API-led EDI, and cloud-based EDI platforms.
Why modernize EDI?
- Faster partner onboarding via APIs and standardized onboarding templates.
- Lower costs by reducing VAN dependency and leveraging cloud EDI/AS2 gateways.
- Better observability with centralized logging, retries, and monitoring.
Core protocols & options
- AS2: Secure HTTP-based EDI for document transport — widely adopted.
- AS4: A web-services-based successor to AS2 with enhanced interoperability.
- VAN (Value Added Network): Still relevant for legacy partners, offers managed relay & support.
- API-led EDI: REST/GraphQL wrappers over EDI flows for modern apps and microservices.
Recommended architecture
- Gateway Layer (AS2/AS4 + HTTP endpoints) with TLS, signing, and MDN receipts.
- Message Broker (Kafka) for durability and replay.
- Translation Engine (map X12 / EDIFACT ↔ JSON) — maintain canonical models.
- Orchestration & Monitoring — job statuses, DLQ, partner dashboards.
Partner onboarding & mapping
- Maintain mapping templates per partner with versioning.
- Use automated test harnesses to validate sample documents before go-live.
- Provide API adaptors for partners that prefer REST over EDI.
Example: simple AS2 flow checklist
- Exchange certificates and AS2 IDs.
- Test with MDN synchronous/asynchronous receipts.
- Validate schema and maps, then promote to production.
