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Many
of the terms used in the world of third-party logistics do
not appear in a standard dictionary, nor is there a dictionary
of fulfillment or warehouse management definitions. We offer
this glossary to help you better understand our business.
If
you have a term you would like defined, or have a definition
that you would like to share with us, please send us an e-mail.
E
EDI
(E.D.I., Electronic Data Interchange)
Sometimes called Electronic Document Interchange. A computer
to computer exchange of business transaction data globally-standardized
protocols. The vast majority of business to business (B2B)
business are through EDI. All major retailer in the United
States, from Wal-Mart to Kmart to Target to hundreds of other
mass merchants, rely on EDI to order merchandise receive advanced
shipping notices (ASN’s), and to be invoiced by their
vendors (called trading partners) . The data in EDI documents
are the same as in paper documents . However, though EDI uses
a common protocol, there are three different EDI standards
(UN/EDIFACT, ANCI X.12, and UCS) each with its own set of
required data fields, but with many other optional fields.
Translation software interfaces between the globally-standardized
EDI data and the local warehouse software, to ensure that
the orders are being fulfilled correctly. Third-party logistics
providers often specialize in processing EDI orders on behalf
of their clients to make the whole operation seamless.
e-commerce
(or ecommerce, eCommerce, E-commerce, and e-Commerce) Electronic
commerce. Generally refers to automated or semi-automated
online commerce in which the end user of a product or service
transacts the purchase electronically over the Internet via
a e-commerce website or via email. However e-commerce can
also be through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and through
intranets, peer-to-peer systems and other electronic means.
An e-commerce fulfillment house is one that specializes in
importing such orders into its database and then handling
all picking, packing, and shipping operations, in addition
to providing ongoing customer service.
e-fulfillment
(or efulfillment) Fulfillment operations specializing in processing
e-commerce orders.
Electronic
Data Interchange
See EDI
e-logistics
(or elogistics, e-Logistics) As it pertains to third party
logistics, the management of all back-end operations as they
apply to the management of data and intermodal and intramodal
communication over networks.
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