Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Implementation

1. How long does it take to implement EDI with my customers?
   Implementation with your EDI customer typically takes 1 to 3 business days. First Customer Care will set up your company in our system and establish your EDI mailbox. Next an interconnect with all of your EDI partners' VANs will be requested. After the interconnects are confirmed you are given your instructions and password. Live EDI transactions can be then be sent and received. top of page
2. What do I need to do during implementation?
   You do not need to do anything while we set up your EDI VAN service. After your EDI VAN service is live, you are free to test and send EDI transactions with all of your EDI partners. Any transaction you send must be meet ANSI X-12 or EDIFACT standard. We can not transmit EDI transactions that are not valid according to one of these two standards.top of page

3. Does someone from CovalentWorks need to come to my office?
   No, we do not need to visit your office. We support all of clients around the world from Houston, Texas. Support for your questions is provided by phone and email. top of page

4. How do I get my questions answered?
   You can call or email us anytime with your questions. top of page

5. How is training done?
   Training is done over the phone and via email. You are provided with written instructions. Typically training takes about 10 minutes. Training on how EDI works and how to manipulate EDI transactions is not included in our EDI VAN service. Any transaction you send must be meet ANSI X-12 or EDIFACT standards. We can not transmit EDI transactions that are not valid according to one of these two standards. If you are not EDI capable, you may be interested in an easy to use web portal or EDI integration with your applications. top of page

6. How do I send EDI to my broker?
   We can provide EDI transactions to your broker through their VAN or they can access your EDI transactions if you so wish. top of page

7. Can I have EDI transactions “carbon copied”?
   Yes, EDI transactions can be sent to other parties such as your broker if you wish. top of page

8. Can I send EDI transactions to my warehouse or 3PL?
   We can provide EDI transactions to warehouse or 3PL through their VAN or they can access your EDI transactions if you so wish. top of page

1. What EDI transaction types do you support?
   Any transaction type and any version that your partners require is supported. top of page

2. How often are EDI transactions sent to me? Does EDI VAN Service service work 24 x 7?
   EDI transactions are available to you as often as your partners send them. EDI VAN Service operates for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week except for a weekly maintenance window from 1 am to 2 a.m. Sunday mornings. You can send transactions to your partners 24 hours a day, 7 days a week except during the Sunday morning maintenance window. top of page

3. Do I need a VAN? Do I need AS/2?
   EDI VAN and AS/2 communication is included in EDI VAN Service at no extra charge. EDI VAN stands for Value Added Network and is the way that many EDI transactions are communicated reliably and securely with your EDI partners. Some EDI partners use AS/2 communication instead of VAN communication. AS/2 is a method for sending and receiving EDI files over the internet with encryption and verification of receipt. EDI VAN Service includes AS/2 if it is required by your EDI partners. top of page

4. Does my partner have to use CovalentWorks in order for me use EDI VAN Service?
   No, your partner does not have also use CovalentWorks. Your partner will have an EDI department and they will have an EDI VAN service they use. We can interconnect with their VAN or implement AS/2 communication with them. CovalentWorks is a fully certified VAN and we can interconnect with any other VAN. We can implement EDI with any partner you may have anywhere in the world. top of page

5. Does my partner send transactions to me or CovalentWorks?
   Your transactions flow from your partners to CovalentWorks and then to you. Here is how it works: Transactions are sent by your partner to their EDI VAN service. Our service interconnects with your EDI partner’s VAN to receive the transactions and then our EDI VAN Service updates. Your transactions are immediately accessable to you 24 X 7 via FTP on one of our secure FTP servers. You will have the option of immediately receiving an email notification that you have a new transaction sent by your partner to you. top of page

6. What if my partner upgrades their EDI system?
   Upgrades of EDI VAN Service for new versions that your partners implement are included at no extra charge. top of page

7. How do I get help with my vendor applications and the EDI forms from my partners?
   Our Customer Care team will provide you with answers to all of the EDI questions on your vendor application forms and any EDI forms required by your partner. top of page

8. What is my EDI ID? Qualifier? ISA number?
   Your EDI qualifier and ID will be set up for your company when you become a client. Here is how is works: Your qualifier and EDI ID are two numbers that together uniquely identify your company. Typically we will either use a qualifier of 01 and your DUNS number for your EDI ID, or if you do not have a DUNS number, then usually your qualifier is 12 and your EDI ID is your phone number. Your EDI ID in either case will not have any dashes, parenthesis or spaces. Your EDI ID is also sometimes referred to as your ISA number. top of page

1. Do I have to buy or install software?
   No, you do not have to buy or install or upgrade or test software. All you need is internet access and FTP. top of page

2. What kind of software and hardware do I need to have in order to use your service?
   You do not need any special hardware or software. All you need is internet access and FTP. top of page

1. How do I start service?
   You can start service in just a few minutes. Go to Start EDI VAN service or call us at 800.496.3380. We will quickly email you a proposal to review and approve. top of page

2. How do I stop service?
   You may stop service at any time and for any reason by calling us or sending an email to our Customer Care team. top of page

3. How long is the agreement? Do I have to sign a long-term contract?
   All of our agreements with all of our clients are month-to-month. There is no long-term contract. We believe that great service is the key to keeping our clients. top of page

4. How does your billing to me work?
   Visa, American Express and Master Card are accepted for payment. You immediately receive an invoice via email showing payment each time we charge your card. Monthly fees are charged within the first 6 business days of the month. top of page

5. Why is EDI VAN Service so inexpensive compared to traditional EDI?
   EDI VAN Service is less expensive because we host EDI service for thousands of clients and their partners in our EDI service center. We do not deploy and maintain software on thousands of computers around the world. Instead, we use our economies of scale in technology and EDI experience to provide our clients with affordable EDI service. top of page

6. How much does EDI VAN Service cost?
   You can get a free quote instantly or call us at 800.496.3380. top of page