VERSIONING-EDI

The EDI ecosystem challenge — multiple versions active in parallel.

Definition

EDIFACT publishes one version per year (D.96A to D.24A in 2024). Partners often freeze their version for 10-20 years (D.96A remains dominant in European retail). X12 publishes quarterly (4010, 5010, 6010, 7030, 8020). Strategy: maintain 2-3 active versions, 18-month migration plan, coexistence via routing rules.

Origin

UN/CEFACT publishes EDIFACT since 1987 with half-year then annual directories. ASC X12 maintains X12 since 1979.

Example in context

An EDI hub running simultaneously D.96A for 80 % of partners, D.01B for 15 %, D.13B for 5 %.

Related terms

• Backward compat — related practice.
• Semantic versioning — applicable practice.