Beginner’s Guide to EDI Testing

In today’s digital world, businesses exchange thousands of documents electronically every day. Instead of sending paper invoices, purchase orders, or shipping notices, companies use Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). To ensure these electronic documents are accurate and properly formatted, EDI Testing plays a crucial role.

What is EDI Testing?

EDI Testing is the process of verifying that electronic business documents are
correctly formatted, structured, and transmitted between trading partners without errors.

It ensures:

• Data is accurate and complete
• Documents follow the required EDI standards (such as ANSI X12 or EDIFACT)
• Files are successfully transmitted and received
• Business rules and partner-specific requirements are met

In simple words, EDI Testing checks whether two systems can “talk” to each other correctly using
electronic documents.

What is an EDI Document?

An EDI Document is a standardized electronic version of a business document that
is exchanged between companies.

Common examples of EDI documents include:

• Purchase Order (850) – Sent by buyer to supplier
• Invoice (810) – Sent by supplier to buyer
• Advance Ship Notice (856) – Shipping details
• Functional Acknowledgment (997) – Confirms receipt of document

These documents follow strict formatting rules defined by EDI standards.
Even a small formatting error can cause the document to be rejected.

Types of EDI Testing

There are different types of EDI testing performed to ensure smooth communication between systems.

1. Syntax Testing

Validates whether the EDI document follows the correct structure and standard format
(for example, checking segments, elements, delimiters).

2. Compliance Testing

Ensures the document meets specific trading partner guidelines and business rules.

3. Functional Testing

Verifies that the data is correctly processed in the receiving system.
For example, confirming that a Purchase Order creates a sales order in ERP.

4. Integration Testing

Checks whether EDI integrates properly with internal systems like ERP, WMS, or accounting software.

5. End-to-End Testing

Tests the complete flow — from document creation to transmission, acknowledgment, and processing.

Importance of EDI Testing

EDI Testing is critical for businesses that rely on automated data exchange.
Without proper testing, errors can lead to rejected documents, shipment delays, or payment issues.

Key benefits include:

• Reduces manual errors
• Prevents transaction failures
• Improves business partner relationships
• Ensures compliance with industry standards
• Saves time and operational costs

For beginners in software testing or business systems, understanding EDI Testing is very valuable,
especially if you work in retail, healthcare, logistics, or manufacturing industries.

Conclusion

EDI Testing ensures that electronic business documents are correctly formatted, transmitted,
and processed between companies. It helps maintain smooth communication, prevents costly errors,
and ensures compliance with industry standards.