Services and Support


One of the key components of VANs is service and support. Services include:

Support includes:

Connectivity: Most of the organizations that are involved EDI access their VAN by dialup. They have a physical telephone connection which they use to dial into the VAN's network.

Most VANs charge for character count and a monthly subscription fee. So if I call my VAN ever hour, I'm only going to be charged for data you pick up out of their mailbox.

Some organizations are large enough that they have a dedicated line into the VAN's network. This typically occurs with organizations that are doing more than EDI, for example e-mail, EDI, Accounts Payable, etc.

Occasionally EDI VANs provide outdial services where the VAN contacts the trading partner whenever anything changes on the system.

Distribution: When you sign up for a VAN, typically what they will assign to you is mailbox, and that mailbox in most cases will be identified by your DUNS number. The DUNS number is the most common method if identification in EDI.