Implementing Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) with 3M
3M strives to meet and exceed the expectations of our trading partners by providing world-class products and services. Electronic Commerce plays a key role in helping us achieve this goal.
Electronic Commerce is the communication of information electronically between business partners (customers, suppliers, carriers, and financial institutions). One form of electronic commerce is Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
Benefits of EDI
When EDI is used as a tool to enable process change and help achieve business goals, significant benefits can be realized. EDI enhances all parts of the business process, and the impact can be far reaching.
-
Reduced Cycle TimeWith EDI, data can be sent and received 24 hours a day. Because EDI allows business to continue outside the normal business day, the turnaround time for a business transaction can be reduced from days to hours and, in some instances, to minutes. -
Increased Accuracy and EfficiencyEDI can eliminate tedious work and reduce the risk of human error. It can also move trading partners toward a paperless environment. -
Optimized InventoryEDI can provide faster and more accurate information about inventory status. Replenishment can be driven by consumption. Future needs or changing needs can be quickly assessed and responded to without manual intervention or review, thus leading to improved inventory management. -
Improved Business RelationshipsSetting up EDI requires both trading partners to gain a better understanding of each other's business processes. EDI expands channels of communication and leads to better working relationships between the partners.
Requirements
3M will send a Functional Acknowledgment (997) for all transactions received. 3M expects to receive a Functional Acknowledgment (997) for all transactions sent to our trading partners.
-
- Software: Sterling Commerce GENTRAN, Mailbox
- Corporate Sender/Receiver ID
- Production
- ISA Qual/ID : 01/006173082
- GS ID : 006173082
- Test
- ISA Qual/ID : 01/006173082T
- GS ID : 006173082
- Third-party Networks (VANS)
- Sterling CommerceNET
- General Electric Information Services (GEIS)
- Advantis Sears
- Harbinger
- Transettlements
- Production
3M exchanges data with over 4,000 trading partners. We send data to and receive data from VANs 19 times a day Monday through Friday with a limited schedule on the weekend and over holidays.
-
Additional Customer Requirements
3M encourages the exchange of EDI transactions with our many customers. In general, implementation begins with the basic transactions of purchase order, invoice, and remittance advice. Other transaction sets are implemented based on mutual agreement between our customers and 3M.
General recommendations for customer EDI implementations are:
- Data must be compliant with the ANSI X12 standard. 3M also supports all major industry subsets (e.g., VICS, UCS, I/C) and EDIFACT.
- EDI data is exchanged via a value added network (VAN) in most cases. The VANs that 3M connects with directly are: CommerceNet, GEIS, Transettlements, Harbinger, and Advantis/Sears. Interconnects are used for other VANs.
- The current or prior version of the ANSI X12 standard should be used.
- Testing of all EDI documents is recommended before going into production. This is coordinated with the customer by the 3M EC Trading Partner Implementation Group.
- The following guidelines are available in the EDI Guidelines section of this site. These are traditionally the most frequently used. Guidelines for other transactions are available upon request.
- Purchase Order - 850
- Purchase Order Acknowledgment - 855
- Ship Notice/Manifest - 856
- Invoice - 810
- Remittance Advice - 820
EDI Guidelines
Below are the 3M specifications for a select few of the many EDI transaction sets 3M supports. Please note 3M can build an EDI map using customer's EDI specifications as well.
Customer Guidelines
-
Version 004010
-
Version 004010
-
Version 004010
-
Version 004010
-
Version 004010
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What are the advantages of transacting via EDI with 3M?
EDI can lower operating costs and improve cycle time. It can also reduce human error, improve data accuracy and is paperless and environmentally friendly.
-
What transactions does 3M support?
- 850/875 Purchase Order/Grocery Purchase Order
- 855 Purchase Order Acknowledgment
- 860 Purchase Order Change Request
- 3M can process an 860, but direct communication with 3M Customer Service will still be required.
- 856 ASN with or without labels
- 810/880 Invoice/Grocery Invoice
- 820 Remittance Advice
- 812 Credit/Debit Adjustment
- 824/864 Application Advice/Text Message
- 830 Planning Schedule with Release Capability
- 3M maps an 830 as an 850 when using a firm quantity and date
- 844 Product Transfer Account Adjustment
- 845 Price Authorization Acknowledgment/Status
- 846 Inventory Inquiry/Advice
- We build the 846 based on 3M specifications only
- 849 Response to Product Transfer Account Adjustment
- 852 Product Activity Data
- 867 Product Transfer and Resale Report
- 879 Price Change
- 888 Item Maintenance
- 997 Functional Acknowledgement
- 997s are automatically mapped for all messages inbound to 3M
-
What communication methods are available?
3M prefers connecting via VAN, but we can also accommodate AS2 and SFTP.
If you don’t see your preferred method here please reach out to USCSOISS-EBIZSupport@mmm.com.
-
How long will it take to implement EDI with 3M?
Depending on the complexity of your request and 3M resources available, implementations may take up to 12 weeks.
-
What if my company doesn’t have EDI specifications?
3M does offer to build your EDI documents based on our generic specs. This only applies to 850, 855, 856 and 810 documents.
- What are 3M’s production and testing IDs?
-
Who should I contact if I have more questions?
If you require additional information before submitting your form and pursuing EDI with 3M, please send an email to USCSOISS-EBIZSupport@mmm.com.
Get started with EDI.
