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EDI with APplus
When words become data
What is EDI?

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) refers to a system or process that allows business documents and information to be exchanged automatically from one computer system to another. Standardized message formats are used without the need for human intervention.
Whether placing orders, accepting orders or invoicing: thanks to EDI, communication between business partners (B2B) or between companies and official institutions (B2G) is automatic, reliable and in real time without media discontinuity.
Talk is silver, EDI is gold
Your benefits from EDI with APplus:
Secure data transmission
Reduced process times
More time for added value
Error avoidance
Supply chain monitoring
Full control
Legal conformity
Future-proof solution
Behind the scenes
How EDI works with APplus
EDI with APplus is based on the conversion of your company’s data into a standardized EDI format. This conversion ensures that the data can be read and processed correctly in the target system. APplus relies on the proven solutions from SEEBURGER and myOpenFactory. Data exchange is based on XML schemas: data is sent and received via an APplus web service. This receives and sends the XML data from and to the partner.
After conversion, the structured data is transmitted to the recipient via an electronic exchange protocol. In the target system, the EDI messages are in turnconverted into the recipient’s internal format to enable correct integration into their ERPsystem.


Your EDI quartet with APplus
Which EDI solution with APplus is right for you?
Enables you to:
Handling of all EDI business processes in accordance with automotive standards (VDA standards)
Your EDI solution, if.
- You are a supplier to the automotive industry
- if you handle cross-industry framework agreements / delivery call-offs in purchasing and sales
- you work with packaging and container management
Enables you to:
Automated handling of purchasing processes without media discontinuity
Your EDI solution, if.
- you want to use EDI for your purchasing processes
- you work with individual and direct orders
- You would like to have the option of connecting your suppliers (either via WEB-EDI portal or converter-to-converter connection)
- you must receive B2B invoices electronically in the future in compliance with the law
Enables you to:
Conversion of outgoing invoices created in APplus into the XRechnung and ZugFerd formats
Your EDI solution, if.
- you send invoices to public clients: E-invoices are mandatory in Germany
- you will have to transmit B2B invoices electronically in compliance with the law in the future
Enables you to: Automated handling of purchasing and sales processes based on the myOpenFactory standard without media discontinuity Your EDI solution if.
- Your business partner already uses the myOpenFactory platform
- you attach particular importance to fast communication with all platform users
Processes in the fast lane
EDI for Automotive

APplus is specially tailored to the automotive industry. By connecting to EDI systems, automotive suppliers can digitize and coordinate processes along the entire supply chain. This is essential for smooth collaboration between automotive suppliers and manufacturers.
Electronic data processing concerns both incoming messages such as delivery call-offs or credit notes and outgoing messages about shipments and invoices. The processing of the messages is continuously logged via a message ID. Processing (import/output) can also be automated.
Accordion title
High compatibility thanks to support for numerous standards
No single standard for EDI has become established in the automotive industry. Instead, different standards are preferred depending on the manufacturer and country. This makes it all the more important for you to be able to meet as many of these requirements as possible.
APplus Automotive supports data exchange in accordance with the following standards:
- Incoming delivery call-offs VDA 4905, 4984 VW
- Delivery call-offs based on VDA 4905
- Detailed call-offs incoming (“Dispatch Cockpit” app) VDA 4915
- Incoming transports VDA 4913
- Transportation outgoing VDA 4913/EDL, VDA 4987 VW
- EDL procedure with/without credit advice procedure
- Incoming credit note procedure VDA 4908, 4938
- Invoice dispatch VDA 4906, 4938
EDI for framework agreements
The Automotive functional area generally works with framework agreements, both in purchasing and in sales. It is possible to continuously manage and update delivery call-offs – this function is alsorelevant beyond the automotive sector.
Shopping cart meets digitalization
EDI in purchasing
With APplus, you can map your entire purchasing process using EDI. This allows you to exchange documents with suppliers bidirectionally and easily:
- Dispatch of orders(ORDER)
- Dispatch of order changes(ORDERCHG)
- Receipt and processing of order confirmations(ORDERSP)
- Receipt and processing of delivery bills(DESADV)
- Receipt and processing of invoices(INVOICE)
Even large amounts of data and high document volumes can be transmitted and received electronically – regardless of which EDI solution your business partner uses.
The electronic data exchange between APplus and connected systems (e.g. Seeburger BIS or Seeburger WEB-EDI portal) is based on XML schemas. These correspond to the OpenTrans format, which is being developed under the direction of the Fraunhofer Institute. The data is exchanged in a controlled manner using the APplus message bus.
With EDI in purchasing, you will also be able to meet the legal requirements for electronic invoices in the B2B area in future.
Not just a trend, but a must
E-invoicing via ZugFerd / XRechnung
E-invoicing: mandatory for B2G e-invoicing in Germany
Since 2020, it has been mandatory to send invoices exclusively by electronic means in business contacts with public clients of the federal government and some federal states. Either X-Rechnung, ZUGFeRD or another EU-compliant format is required.
XRechnung is a semantic data model based on XML that is currently being established as the standard for electronic invoices in Germany. Up to 200 invoice-related attachments, but not the invoice image itself, may be embedded.
ZUGFeRD is an electronic invoice format of the“Forum elektronische Rechnung Deutschland“, FeRD for short. It is a hybrid data format that combines a PDF/A-3 file with an XML file. This means that ZUGFeRD invoices can be read by both humans and machines.

With the e-invoicing service, APplus customers can create and send ZUGFeRD and X-invoices. Invoices are created in APplus as before and then transmitted to SEEBURGER via an Azure cloud. The data is stored there converted to the selected format and sent back to APplus via the cloud. You can then simply send the e-invoice by e-mail.
Future legal requirements will make it necessary to send invoices directly within the PEPPOL network.
The EDI center for seamless communication
myOpenFactory
myOpenFactory operates one of the largest EDI platforms in Germany – ensuring that numerous business partners can be reached without media discontinuity. Instead of a 1:1 connection to business partners, all you need is an interface to the myOpenFactory platform, which serves as a universal translator between different EDI formats. This means you can communicate with all customers and suppliers immediately – all processes are combined in one interface.
Standardized according to DIN PAS 1074, the data exchange format is lean and simple. This ensures minimal technical effort and fast onboarding. Data is transferred electronically by converting it to the myOpenFactory standard, which ensures immediate compatibility for all companies connected to the platform. In the second step, the data is then transferred in the format required by the recipient’s ERP system.
All common standardized file formats and all transmission paths (AS2, HTTP(S), SFTP, OFTP2, X.400 or e-mail) are supported.

More information on EDI with APplus