Many companies are being thrust into world of AS2 in much the same way they were compelled to implement EDI a few years ago: a mandate is received from a trading partner directing them to implement an AS2 solution by a given deadline.

Since EDI INT AS2 is a secure Internet data transmission standard process that will eliminate the need for and cost of transmitting data through a Value Added Network (VAN) it is worthwhile to consider. Several mass merchants such as Wal-Mart, and Home Depot, the Department of Defense, electronics giants such as Intel, and the HIPAA standards in healthcare are now requiring data transmission using AS2. It is likely most FTP exchanges between companies will move to AS2. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has developed this protocol for transmitting EDI over the Internet (EDI INT). By utilizing products that have been developed around these standards, businesses can securely transmit and receive EDI over the Internet which will drastically reduce the ongoing costs associated with EDI transmissions.

Overview

AS2 refers to the security protocols for sending data securely via the Internet (using HTTPS). Various software packages are available to handle the encryption, communication, and receipt verification required by this standard protocol. Some trading partners have elected to require software solutions certified by The Drummond Group (www.drummondgroup.com) to assure interoperability among the various software packages. The various EDI software companies are working with the AS2 vendors to provide a seamless integration between packages. Although this segment of the industry is changing very rapidly, mature, stable solutions are now available.

The AS2 specification solely describes the secure transmittal of EDI in batch mode or any other data over the Internet using HTTPS. It is a specification on securing and transporting data, not on validating or processing the data. The transported data is then dispatched to the appropriate processor based upon its content-type. Therefore, an EDI translator will still be needed to process the "raw EDI" data. Rather than sending/receiving data via a VAN (Value Added Network), the data would be sent/received via the Internet in accordance with AS2 security features and imported/exported into the user's application system.

Timing

While meeting the requirements of a key trading partner may be the initial motivation behind an AS2 implementation, companies should consider benefits beyond maintaining a trading partner relationship as well. Momentum is building for the AS2 standard, and more companies are likely to move to this as a critical mass of trading partners become “AS2-enabled”. The more trading partner relationships, and therefore traffic, that a company can move to AS2, the greater the VAN savings will be, and the faster the payback on the AS2 solution. With the costs of transmitting additional data reduced to nothing, it pays to see if exchanging larger data files (unsuited to traditional EDI applications) makes sense. Manufacturing schedules and point of sale data can be securely transmitted in seconds for no additional cost - a far cry from what was possible at 9600 baud with a VAN!

Benefits

As mentioned, a long term benefit in using AS2 is to significantly reduce and in some cases eliminate the traditional communication costs associated with VANs. A secondary benefit is in the decreased "turn-around" time for business transactions. Traditional EDI is "batch" processed in that messages are grouped together and sent/received at intervals throughout the day.

Configuration Services

Setting and testing the first few trading partners should be done carefully to eliminate a security risk. For example, the firewall administrator needs to approve and open the chosen port. Then, contact with the customer to exchange certificates must be timed properly so that orders are not lost.

After AS2 has been in operation for several weeks, the process can be automated to eliminate daily checking. This includes setting error messages for expired certificates and training the firewall administrator to avoid accidental closures and I.P. address changes.

Product Notes

Prospective buyers should aggressively negotiate the purchase of AS2 software. Specifically, the per-block of 5-10 trading partners scheme is impractical since EDI is not purchased by the Trading Partner. Calculating the cost for a medium sized company with 10 trading partners yields a startling total cost. Some even regard a test mailbox as a separate trading partner. DCS recommends renegotiating as growth is encountered. Again, negotiate aggressively!

DCS recommends several products, depending on your specific needs:

• Alligacom's Net-Transfer^TM for the cost conscious buyer.
• Cleo's VersaLex^TM product fits well for companies selling to Wal-Mart or the auto industry.
• Sterling Commerce's G.I.S.^TMor Connect: Direct^TM for the users of Gentran.
• Inovis' Biz Manager^TM for Trusted Link^TM users.
• GXS' AS2 Engine^TM for users of GXS Desktop^TM, ASN Plus^TM, or Application Integrator^TM.
• Click Commerce has multiple AS2 products with a wide range of capabilities. They are used often in the Banking industry and in conjunction with 1SYNC (UCCNET).
• nuBridges leads with AS2 for the IBM System i (AS400)^TM
• Covast's AS2 Adapter^TM for users of Microsoft BizTalk^TM

Of particular interest is nuBridges iSoft's AS2 solution, a very solid product from a company with many years of AS2 experience. The name is familiar to Wal-Mart vendors who were offered a $500 per year rental. The fee applies to other customers also. Several other vendors such as Click Commerce (formerly bTrade), Cyclone, Lansa and more, have focused upon companies using mainframes and very large servers. All are very fine products, but are priced for Fortune 500 companies. DCS experience shows they are especially suitable for non-EDI secure Internet data transmission to branch offices and plants. They also have addition functionality such as click to send/receive non-routine files such as CAD files and graphics.

Companies anticipating AS3 have begun secure FTP over their VPNs with select Trading Partners. If you are considering a pilot program, we can help you configure your FTP server and firewall. For more information see our page on FTP/Firewall Tuning in Anticipation of AS3 page.

Conclusion

DCS' experience with AS2 products tells us they perform well. The Drummond Group certification program helped to ensure this. However the certification program does not test ease of installation or technical support. Connections to the EDI system can be tricky to install and experienced assistance can curb the time and headaches of installation.

DCS provides remote support for your AS2 utility. We can help you resolve knotty problems such as ports, certificates, and dynamic I.P. addresses while ensuring firewall integrity is certain. As a plus, we review with you the solutions to boost your self-reliance and skill-sets. The next step is to email DCS for a Free Assessment. We will be glad discuss your needs and goals.