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DataDirect XML Converters™ Standards

DataDirect XML Converters™ supports the following standards: flat-files, EDIFACT, HL7, IATA (PADIS), X12, EANCOM, and SEF. Click on the respective section headings below for detailed descriptions of how each standard is supported.

Flat Files

Flat Files, from the simple comma-separated-value types to more complex types with embedded binary information and multiple record types, are handled with simplicity by the Custom XML Converters.

Using the graphical user interface of Stylus Studio® 2008 XML Enterprise Suite, Custom XML Converters can be designed which handle not just strings of text, but numbers in both text and binary formats, binary data, dates, times, and specialized hardware-specific formats.

Advanced pattern-matching capabilities help you deal with varying record types within a single data stream.

Here are the datatypes that are supported:

For the EDI standards of EDIFACT, HL7, IATA, X12 and EANCOM, the converters include the unique auto-detection mechanism. They automatically will determine the dialect of EDI and select the appropriate dictionary and version of that dictionary, with no manual intervention.

Almost every institution that uses EDI, however, varies slightly from the published standards. Whether it is because there are portions that aren't needed between the trading partners, or new codelist items that are needed, or whole sections of the messages which need to be replaced, the DataDirect XML Converters™ include full extensibility mechanisms to cope with whatever customizations are needed. Examples of simple extensions we've already helped others implement include EDIG@S and MEDEUR.

EDIFACT

EDIFACT is an international standard for electronic communications used by both governments and businesses. It is maintained by the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (also know as CEFACT).

The DataDirect XML Converters™ includes the dictionaries for the full range of published EDIFACT messages, from the earliest 88-1 to the most-current D07A, and all in between.

Health Level 7 (HL7)

In order for health care providers to share information, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has under its aegis a standards body called HL7 to promote a standard of electronic communications. This standard and its body have both become known as HL7.

The DataDirect XML Converters™ include a robust implementation of the HL7 standard from the draft 2.1 through the current 2.5 releases.

IATA (PADIS)

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has used EDIFACT as a basis to provide an extensive series of message types specific to the airline industry. Those messages are known as the Passenger and Airport Data Interchange Standards (PADIS).

The DataDirect XML Converters™ include a complete implementation of all of the IATA releases ever published from 92.1 to 06.1.

X12

Back in 1979, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) chartered the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12 to develop a standards for electronic interchange. The Data Interchange Standards Association (DISA) serves as the secretariat for X12. DataDirect Technologies is a member of ASC X12.

From the early 003030 to the current 005040, DataDirect XML Converters™ runs the gamut of X12 version coverage, assuring you that whatever you need to read, query or transform, you'll be prepared.

EANCOM

EANCOM is a European consortium which has extended the EDIFACT messages in ways particular to its members. Although it has added no new messages (in fact, it only defines a subset), the codelist values vary considerably in some cases to reflect regional needs.

The three releases of EANCOM data, 1997, 2001 and 2002, are all fully supported by the DataDirect XML Converters™.

SEF - Standard Exchange Format

DataDirect XML Converters™ supports the EDI Standard Exchange Format (SEF), an "open" standard that allows you to describe proprietary EDI message types. You can create a SEF extension file, which contains the definitions of your enterprise's custom EDI message types, and then use that file with DataDirect XML Converters™ when converting your EDI files to XML, and vice versa