MOCKUP-PARTNER

Mockup partner. The test partner profile that lets you validate an EDI integration before connecting to the real partner.

Definition

A mockup partner (sometimes called test partner, dummy partner, sandbox partner) is a trading-partner profile configured in an EDI system solely for testing purposes. It mirrors the real partner's technical parameters (identifiers, formats, protocols) but points to a local loop or a test infrastructure. It enables playing a full Order-to-Cash cycle without sending production messages.

Origin

The mockup-partner practice was codified by the EANCOM and PEPPOL certification programmes in the 2010s. OpenPEPPOL maintains public test partners (with identifiers like 0088:test*), and most B2B gateways (IBM Sterling, Axway, Boomi) allow explicit "test mode" partner definition. This clean separation of test and production data is today an audit requirement in most large enterprises.

Example in context

Before connecting a new Acme supplier to its ERP, a retailer configures an Acme-TEST in its B2B gateway with identifier 3088999900001 (sandbox GLN) and AS2 URL https://test.acme.com/as2. For two weeks, orders generated by the ERP in test mode transit to Acme-TEST, generate fictional ORDRSP/DESADV/INVOIC, and the full cycle is validated. Once compliant, the production profile Acme-PROD is activated and the mockup partner remains for continuous regression.

Related terms

• Onboarding — integration phase that uses a mockup partner.
• Trading partner — the real partner the mockup stands in for.
• Pre-validation — another pre-production control mechanism.