Config / Overview / The Core Modules

The Core Modules

Anveo EDI Connect is designed in a modular way. In this section we will describe the main modules and their functions and learn the basic terms used in the module. You will find links to the detailed information for all the topics on the next section: Navigating the Documentation.

We also have a training video with a technical overview over the module functionality.

Mappings

The main functionality of Anveo EDI Connect, is to convert data between an EDI format and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. In Anveo EDI Connect mappings are used to describe how to interpret an external file format, how to check and how to process data. So the mapping functionality is much more powerful than in other EDI converters.

There are several build-in converters:

  • EDIFACT
    • Convert UN/EDIFACT files
    • Supports all message formats and can process other standards as well
    • Has an assistant to help building the mapping structure from example data
  • TEXT
    • Support variable and fixed-length text formats, like CSV, Tab seperated, VDA and more
  • X12
    • Basic X12 support
    • Assistant can build a basic structure without detecting loops etc from example data
  • XML
    • Support almost all XML based data formats
    • Assistant to build basic structure from example data (and experimental XSD support)
  • ZUGFeRD
    • German Invoicing standard with special PDF files
  • NAV
    • Check data
    • Convert data
    • Create system documents and much more

We go into the details of each of these converters later.

If data is converted, checked or processed in Anveo EDI Connect, there is a mapping that defines what the module should do.

The mapping architecture is open to new converters as well.

Communication Channels

Anveo EDI Connect supports data exchange with other systems, directly from Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. You have to define communication channels, to specify how to receive data from outside Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and how to send data from Business Central to the outside world.

There are two build-in communication channel types:

  • File based communication
    • Send or receive data from the file system or network paths relative to the service tier
  • Remote communication
    • Send or receive data from FTP, FTPs, POP3, SMTP or SFTP. These requires additional external .NET components (on-premise installations only) which are shipped free of charge with the module. We do not support all features of all protocols.

If data is received or sent with Anveo EDI Connect a Communication Channel is involved.

Business Transactions

Starting with version 4 of Anveo EDI Connect we updated the end-user experience. Business Transactions should reflect what is going on in the EDI module based on a document level. They also make it easier to track what is already sent, group data for batch sending and much more.

A Business Transaction Type defines a specific process, like incoming orders, outgoing invoices etc.
A Business Transaction reflects the current status of a specific document or file.

Logging / Processing Queue

Every step that is executed in the Anveo EDI Connect module is logged. The logging is very powerful and the main entrance point if you want to know what is going on in the module. It is possible to filter for open processings, processing errors and much more.

The EDI Processing Queue represents a single processing step. Steps are created before they are executed. Each entry has a status, can have linked documents and logging messages.

Buffer Tables

With Anveo EDI Connect we encourage you to use buffer tables to store incoming data before processing. It is also recommended to use outgoing buffers in most scenarios. The basic idea is to simplify the external data mappings by having a data structure that you can directly write to or read from. Incoming data should be available to end-users before any modifications are made. We provide several buffer tables out of the box.

The main buffer tables shipped with Anveo EDI Connect are the EDI Document and EDI Document Line. There are also other secondary helper tables EDI Address/Contact, EDI Additional Information, and EDI Document Summary Line.

Automation / Jobs

Anveo EDI Connect does not come with an own scheduling system, but does support the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central standard. We provide the functionality to automate all steps of a typical EDI process using the Business Central jobs.

Extensibility / API

With Anveo EDI Connect you can setup most EDI processes without any programming. But if you need custom code we provide you with possibilities to change the system behaviour, provide your own converters, data interchange modules and much more.