EDIFACT ORDERS Messages

ORDERS as an EDIFACT file

a) The term ORDERS refers to the message type invoice according to the UN/EDIFACT definitions. Thus, an EDIFACT ORDERS is a purchase order file/data format for electronic data interchange. The area of application, the structure and the setup are defined in the respective directories/versions/descriptions of the UNECE. Further important definitions can be found in various subsets, especially EANCOM. Besides INVOIC and DESADV, ORDERS is one of the three most common message types.

ORDERS in general

b) Often the term ORDERS is used as a synonym for a structured file containing order information. This does not necessarily have to be an EDIFACT file as described under a), but can mean any data format (e.g. XML, CSV, TXT). In case of doubt the terminology has to be clarified with the respective trading partner in advance.

The ORDERS message describes the details of an order for goods or services under conditions previously agreed between the buyer and seller. ORDERS can be used nationally as well as internationally, regardless of the industry.

ORDERS follows these principles:

• The purchase order can be for one or more goods or services.
• The purchase order can refer to goods, items or services from multiple schedules, call-offs, etc.
• The invoice can contain further information for e.g. customs or statistics in case of cross-border actions.
• The invoice can contain details about the transport and destination as well as the delivery sample.

For further information on the structure of EDIFACT ORDERS we recommend the corresponding pages of the UNECE (see: www.unece.org).