.NET EDIFACT/X12 Framework

Question

We need to process some EDI messages for a client and i was wondering if any of you could recommend some components (not necessarily free) that could do the task. I'm interested in a framework that can parse EDI messages into .NET structures and some kind of implementation of transport protocols (SMTP, FTP, HTTP, AS2) etc.

Answer 1

What kind of messages are you trying to process? There are standards, the right way, and what's allowed.

We get messages from 50+ vendors. They are mostly based on 322 and 622 messages. No two are alike.

Just keep flexibility in mind when you're looking at possible solutions.

By the way, we're using mappers that have evolved over the years and aren't too useful for sharing.

Good Luck

-- Edit --
The question here might be helpful. Whether you want to or not, you're going to have to learn how the message should be parsed. It's the only way to verify that the mapper is handling a particular implementation properly.

Answer 2

If you're not strictly tied to .Net, I'd recommend the JCAPS B2B suite originally by SeeBeyond Corp.

Otherwise, I've heard good things about Chameleon by InterfaceWare

Answer 3

I did some work with EDIFACT documents in .NET, and never found a framework I could use. Fortunately, I only had to parse two different types of documents. In my situation, it was easiest to just parse the files manually and create friendly business objects that held the data in a way I could work with. A framework would give you a lot of flexibility and a friendlier API to work with, but it might not be necessary.

Answer 4

Take a look at: http://www.orionhealth.com/products/symphonia/

It does what you want, although you will run into various limitations as you use it.

Answer 5

If you are interested by EDIFACT parsing, you should have a look at my preliminary work at

http://parse-edifact.net/

/Patrice - http://babelabout.blogspot.com/