The automotive sector is migrating to global VDA messages
The automotive industry operates under strict protocols that define the entire production chain of a vehicle. The effectiveness of communication between the various stakeholders involved in the supply chain largely depends on the rigor with which each assembly phase is carried out. In electronic data interchange (EDI), there is a trend towards standardizing VDA messages specific to this sector. The goal is to make information exchange more efficient, thereby improving the needs of OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).
In the automotive EDI sector, two trends are occurring. On the one hand, there is standardization of VDA messages, which has resulted in new versions being established. On the other hand, lower-level suppliers are being incorporated into the flow of information to ensure traceability and proper exchange of information through EDI systems.
Standardization of VDA messages
VDA messages are EDI messages used in the automotive sector and cover the specific needs of companies in the automotive industry.
They respond to different functions required by users in the supply chain, such as orders (Forecast), verifying that the goods sent by the supplier match the purchase order made by the distributor (DESADV or ASN), accurate information on delivery sequence and Just in Time requirements (DELJIT), electronic invoice (INVOIC), etc. The transmission of this data guarantees the flow of information between manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers (TIER 1, TIER 2, TIER 3...), and customers.
Currently, the old versions of VDA messages are being replaced by new global VDA versions that follow the EDIFACT scheme:
- Forecast changes from VDA 4905 to VDA 4984.
- JIT Forecast changes from VDA 4915 to VDA 4985.
- The shipping notice changes from VDA 4913 to VDA 4987.
- The receipt notice will be VDA 4989.
- The credit note will be VDA4938.
- The invoice will adopt the VDA 4938 format.
Our solutions are prepared to adopt these new schemes. Through new information mappings, we can quickly transform documents into the required schema from ERP information.
The purpose of this change is to:
- Improve the functions required by users.
- Generate new formats that cover more OEM information needs.
- Cover a greater range of information.
- Unify as much as possible with the possibility of establishing some fields specific to each manufacturer for specific needs.
Manufacturers increasingly request their suppliers (TIER 1) to implement ways with lower-level suppliers (TIER 2 and TIER 3) to ensure traceability of information and its correct exchange through EDI systems. Thanks to improved traceability, business processes (orders, delivery notes, invoicing, supplier payment) are significantly accelerated.
EDICOM provides any company in the automotive sector with a Global EDI platform capable of sending and receiving messages with any partner worldwide. After extracting information from the ERP, the EDICOM platform automatically transforms it into the format required by the destination ERP and sends it through secure communication channels.
In addition, our EDICOMNet network offers multi-standard solutions, capable of routing all types of messages (EDIFACT, X12, XML, FACTURAE, etc.), and multi-protocol, allowing access to it through Webservices, https, FTP, x400, OFTP2, AS2, AS4, etc.