- Author
- Construction Industry Institute
- Title
- EDI: Concepts and Applications.
- Coporate
- Construction Industry Institute, Austin, TX
- Report
- Publication 20-1, February 1993, 20 p.
- Keywords
- construction | costs | standards
- Identifiers
- Electronic Data Interchange (EDI); Construction Industry Action Group (CIAG)
- Abstract
- The construction industry has a need to electronically transmit standard documents between designers, owners, contractors, and material suppliers. These documents include purchase orders, requests for quotations, invoices, shipping notifications, materials lists, and payment transfers. Electronic data interchange (EDI) is a technology that permits the transfer of these documents, and others, from one computer application to another. EDI differs from electronic mail in that the documents are transmitted in an industry standard format, checked for errors, and imported directly into the receiving computer application without rekeying. EDI technology is generally credited with reducing paperwork and data transmission costs, improving data accuracy, reducing material inventories, and enhancing the planning of activities that depend on accurate, timely material shipping notifications. EDI can, therefore, play a significant role in achieving U.S. construction industry goals related to reducing project costs and improving project schedules.