EDI 997 Format
An EDI 997 message is like a digital thumbs-up. It’s sent between companies to confirm that a message was received correctly, and it’s usually short. This message is made up of different parts, including the message header and an acknowledgement that connects back to the original message.
An EDI 997 message provides:
AK1 – Group acknowledgment (refers to GS segment)
How is the EDI 997 used?
The EDI 997 ensures that when computers swap documents, everything goes smoothly. It provides confirmation that the message was received, and the data transmission can proceed.
Here’s what it does:
Receipt confirmation
This is like getting a text that says, “Yep, I got your message.” It tells the sender that their trading partner request was successfully picked up by the receiver.
Syntax check
This part checks to see if the message is written correctly and follows all the rules. If something’s out of place, the EDI 997 will flag it.
Error reporting
If there’s an issue in the message, the EDI 997 will point it out so the sender can fix it and try again.
Audit trail
The audit trail keeps track of all the messages sent and received. This way the conversation history between companies is always recorded.
Automated processing
Many company systems can handle these EDI 997 messages by themselves, which means less work for employees.
Benefits of using the EDI 997 Functional Acknowledgement
Acknowledging EDI transactions in a timely manner allows all trading partners to improve order processing efficiency. In addition, retailers gain valuable insights if a document is late (inbound or outbound) or has errors. Additional benefits of the EDI 997 include:
Ample time to investigate possible system issues
Time and money saved due to improved order accuracy
Early identification of potential problems so they can be resolved
Common issues regarding EDI 997
Errors in the EDI 997 typically arise from not adhering to trading partner specifications or EDI standards. A Functional Acknowledgement may be rejected for several reasons, including:
Violates character length requirements
Mismatched control counters or data types
Missing mandatory data, such as segments or elements
Contains invalid data, such as invalid characters, codes, conditions or qualifiers
Automate 997 Functional Acknowledgement with Full-Service EDI from SPS Commerce
Managing ongoing EDI tasks can be complex and time-consuming. Full-service EDI providers like SPS Commerce deliver EDI technology and associated staffing resources responsible for customizing, optimizing and operating your EDI solution.
SPS communicates directly with your trading partners to manage connectivity, setup, requirements, updates and support efforts. SPS also takes ownership of understanding your trading partner requirements and making map changes.
SPS Fulfillment proactively monitors and optimizes your solution to prevent errors and minimize data entry.
Interested in learning more about our EDI solution?
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