The EDI interface is used to connect an EDI subsystem to the SAP system. EDI subsystems perform all EDI-related tasks such as Converting the data Handling messages or interchanges Communications Managing the partner profiles Monitoring processing. The EDI interface is based on IDoc technology. IDoc technology is independent of EDI standards. All data is exchanged via files between the SAP System and the EDI subsystem. The synchronous RFC (remote function call) is used to define the time of transfer of the files between both systems. Via the EDI interface, the following data can be exchanged:

• Outbound IDocs. IDocs are transferred from the SAP System to the EDI subsystem. 
• Inbound IDocs. IDocs are transferred from the EDI subsystem to the SAP System. 
• Status report. To inform the SAP System of the progress of processing of the outbound IDocs, the EDI subsystem transfers the status report to the SAP System. 

The object of the certification is the technical test of the interface between SAP System and EDI subsystem. The transfer of outbound IDocs, inbound IDocs and the status report are tested. The test is performed for the EDI standard UN/EDIFACT. As an example, the messages used are: 

• Outgoing order (ORDERS) 
• Incoming order (ORDERS) 
• Outgoing order response (ORDRSP) and 
• Incoming order response (ORDRSP). 

The following companies and products are certified for R/3 4.0, 4.5, and 4.6 (enjoy R/3) (as of 16th March, 2000)

1. Alphalink GmbH
    alphalink COM4.XML/EDI
2. AFI Agentur für Informatik GmbH
    ACMS (ASSIST 4 Communication Management System)
3. Atos GmbH, Division ACTIS EDI
    EDImanager
4. Compaq Computer Corporation
    Compaq DEC/EDI for OpenVMS
5. Compaq Computer Corporation
    Compaq DEC/EDI for Tru64 UNIX
6. Dan Net A/S
    EDIMAN
7. Data Applications Company Limited
    ACMS/UX for R/3
8. Deutsche Post AG
    Edi
9. EDICOMUNICACIONES Intercambio Electronico de datos y comunicaciones S.L.
    EDIWIN
10. FIS Informationssysteme und Consulting GmbH
    FIS/edi
11. General Electric Information Services
    EDI Application Integrator UNIX
12. Harbinger Corporation
    EDI/400
13. Harbinger Corporation
    Trusted Link Enterprise (TLE)
14. Hüngsberg AG
    DAXCONNECT
15. IBM Corporation
    IBM DataInterchange 2.1
16. IBM Corporation
    IBM DataInterchange 3.1
17. INTEC
    EDIServ
18. KAO Infonetwork Corporation, Ltd
    EDIPACK interface Linking for R/3
19. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    EDIFOAS for NT <R/3 Interface>
20. MLC
    EdiStar for SAP R/3
21. PROFILE Software Engineering GmbH
    EDI/SERVER
22. Seeburger AG
    ELKE/400
23. Seeburger AG
    WebELKE
24. Siemens AG (Siemens Business Services)
    SEDI server link for R/3
25. Sonera
    Sonera TradeXpress
26. STC Software Technologies Corporation
    e*WayTM EDI for R/3
27. Sterling Commerce
    GENTRAN: Server for Unix
28. Sterling Commerce
    Gentran: Server for Windows NT