The EDI Implementation Guidelines describes for production material using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standards between the brand Volkswagen/Audi and their suppliers. The EDI procedures are valid for production material, general material kept in store, and spare parts.
In describing our internal processing, we intend to inform our partners of those routines in Volkswagen/Audi which do influence their internal processing in turn. We also introduce our medium range planning for information exchange (EDI and web applications) in the supply process. The detailed descriptions shown in these guidelines are part of the basis for detailed implementation and intensification of the electronic data interchange.
The EDI Implementation Guidelines gives additional information about to the VDA recommendations. Thus it is essential that the VDA recommendations and ODETTE standards are available when implementing EDI techniques and messages. The use of EDIFACT-based message types is described in detail in separate message guides. No further documents are needed to understand their structure and contents. Parts of the EDIFACT message guides also apply to the brands Skoda, SEAT, Bentley and Lamborghini.
EDI-Standards: VDA / ODETTE / EDIFACT
EDI - Electronic Data Interchange means the exchange of structured business data (such as Delivery Instruction, Daily Call-off, Dispatch Advice, Self-billing Invoice Message) between independent information systems of business partners, based on message standards (VDA, ODETTE, EDIFACT) and communication standards (ODETTE File Transfer Protocol as used by the European automotive industry).
EDI is the pre-condition for lean and efficient business processes with our suppliers of production material and parts and it is essential for good co-operation with our suppliers. EDI will benefit all partners. Volkswagen and Audi expect suppliers to provide integrated EDI support for the total business process. The EDI messages contain fully harmonized information for each step of the process. Suppliers will only realize the full benefit when all messages are fully integrated into their in-house systems.
Volkswagen and Audi use the following EDI-Standards:
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VDA Verband der Automobilindustrie
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ODETTE Organisation for Data Exchange by Tele Transmission in Europe
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EDIFACT Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce, and Transport
Since not all of the subsets defined by ODETTE fully meet the requirements of VW/Audi, we are planning to implement additional messages which comply to the EDIFACT standard, but not the ODETTE subsets of EDIFACT.
We intend to use EDIFACT-based messages parallel to implemented VDA and ODETTE message types. The VDA and ODETTE message types are available until new messages are introduced. At Volkswagen/Audi the "former" VDA message types with fixed data structure will remain in use until they forced out of use by an expansion of the data volume.
Overview of the Volkswagen / Audi EDI implementation
The following information provides an overview of the stage reached in implementing EDI at Volkswagen/Audi. The EDI implementation matrix indicates further enhancements as planned, involving additional EDI message types. Other rules governing the supply cycle process at Volkswagen and Audi (e.g. General shipping regulations, Packaging instruction) should be followed.
There are currently no plans to implement EDI in the procurement cycle. The web application ESL (=Electronic Supplier Link) on our platform supports the cycle request - offer.
Delivery Instruction (Material Call Off)
Volkswagen/Audi - much like other German and foreign car makers - started the electronic data interchange in order to support their ordering of production material as one part of the supply process cycle. Prime objective of the EDI was to reduce the paper handling and the time-consuming mail service.
More than 2000 suppliers receive the Delivery Instruction (LAB-Lieferabrufdaten) predominantly in VDA 4905 format from Volkswagen/Audi. Since 1993 the Delivery Instruction in VDA 4905/2 format, which is based on the ODETTE message DELINS, is available as an alternative. From the first half of 1999 EDIFACT-DELFOR is used for the delivery instruction alongside VDA and ODETTE. Starting off the EDI relationship with a partner engaged in the supply process cycle "production material", Volkswagen/ Audi will always transmit the delivery instruction first.
The Daily Call-off (FAB-Feinabruf) in VDA 4915 format will only be implemented where the delivery process justifies the use of this message. At present, we are transmitting the daily call-off to more than 500 of our partners. From the first half of 2000 EDIFACT-DELFOR is used for the daily call-off alongside VDA 4915.
The "direct call off" is used at Volkswagen just in special delivery processes with selected suppliers. Volkswagen transmits the ODETTE/EDIFACT subset CALDEL/DELJIT and KANBAN/DELJIT in special processes. A very special direct call off CALDEL/DELJIT is used to control direct-to-customer spare parts deliveries and in this case it supplements the delivery instruction data with additional specific information. In our pick up process AMES-T suppliers may receive a DELJIT call off (named VAB) for shipment control. The shipment control information is also provided for all suppliers involved in the AMES-T process by a web application.
Suppliers who do not us the EDI can use the WebEDI for the reception of call-offs. We do not send these call-offs per fax or mail.
The Call-off in Production Sequence (PAB-Produktionssynchrone Abrufe) is used only in the specific business processes where systems/components are ordered and delivered in sequence of production (JiT). The VDA 4916 implementations are running out. In the latest JiT installations only the ODETTE/EDIFACT subset SYNCRO/DELJIT is used for PAB and for module-specific forecast data.
The Volkswagen/Audi logistic business processes require all a complete and fully working EDI data exchange. EDI capability in generating and sending dispatch advice data is expected from all production material suppliers.
We require EDI dispatch and transport data for the traditional supply cycle to Volkswagen/Audi material receiving points and for deliveries to consignment stores or external supplier warehouses. For this reason, we expect VDA 4913 version 3 or 4. As an alternative to VDA 4913, Volkswagen and Audi also accept the ODETTE message AVIEXP or the EDIFACT-DESADV.
We offer all not EDI-capable suppliers to send supply data via the application WebEDI to Volkswagen/Audi.
With the transfer of EDI dispatch and transport data we expect the Shipping List in VDA 4912 format or Transport and Shipment Documents (TSB) VDA 4939 – which can be printed out on a blank sheet by the EDI-secured dispatch systems as a substitute for the rather elaborate Delivery note Document DIN 4991. The VDA-Shipment Documents are required as Backup-solution for the data entry, if the EDI-Delivery note data and the Transport data are due to an error not available at the stock receipt systems. In the AMES-T-Process only AMES-T-Transport and Shipment Documents defined by VW are accepted which conform to VDA-advice 4939.
We expect the bar coded standard ODETTE Transport Label in VDA 4902 format with all containers and other loading devices to identify the material shipped to Volkswagen/Audi. Alternatively we accept the Global Transport Label (GTL) jointly developed by AIAG, JAMA/JAPIA and ODETTE.
In the JiT process a Cumulated Delivery Note (TSL) based on Dispatch Advice VDA 4913 or EDIFACT RECADV is processed by VW/Audi. In the Volkswagen group the cumulated delivery note is always sent to the suppliers by the customer (Volkswagen).
Our freight consolidators are included in the information system. In the classical (push-) process they receive the order from the supplier as a forwarding order in the format of VDA recommendation 4922. The freight consolidators receive a copy of the EDI dispatch and transport data from Volkswagen/Audi. Suppliers should agree on an EDI connection with the responsible freight consolidator. For each shipment (e.g. for each truck) the freight consolidator sends freight data in VDA 4921 format stating all delivery notes belonging to the shipment (e.g. truck). Most of all, we intend to use the Transport Information VDA 4921 which we receive from our freight forwarders to simplify the receiving routine for direct shipments, i.e. the total shipment on a particular transport unit. The freight data and the dispatch and transport data are used directly for the computer controlled settlement of freight charges (MTB).
We use the EDI message Loading Device Data in VDA 4927 format to control the stock status and movements of our loading devices. We expect our suppliers to be able to receive and print out the messages sent by us. Each month suppliers receive a stock consolidation report from us. The call for empty loading device is to be sent via a web application. Loading device corrections may also only be sent via web application.
Regarding the automotive supply process, the use of the self-billing invoice has proven superior when paying for material received. By now Volkswagen/Audi and their German suppliers have fully implemented the self-billing invoicing process. Since 1995 our international partners are implementing the self-billing invoice process as well. The invoicing procedure and the transmission of the EDI message VDA 4906 will be terminated. Currently some 350 contractors receive the EDI self-billing invoice VDA 4908. Our objective is to send the electronic self-billing invoice to all our contractors who use EDI. EDIFACT-INVOIC will be used alongside VDA.
Volkswagen/Audi will transmit the Payment Advice (Remittance Advice) in VDA 4907 format on special request only.
