Applicability Statement 2(AS2) EDI in IBM Sterling B2B Integrator

Applicability Statement 2(AS2) is an HTTP-based protocol used to send messages (particularly EDI messages) securely, affordably, and swiftly.

Using secure AS2 EDIINT technology, Sterling B2B Integrator with AS2 is a message management system that permits the exchange of several documents between business partners.

After an electronic message has been sent, an MDN (Message Disposition Notification) is sent to the sender via AS2 as a confirmation of receipt. This notification of receipt attests to the message’s complete transmission. The MDN is processed by the Sterling B2B Integrator AS2 Edition system, which also updates the MDN’s EDIINT transaction metadata. A copy of the data and an error log are stored in the trading partner’s system’s error directory if the MDN contains a negative response.

AS2 workflow in IBM Sterling B2B Integrator

The Sterling B2B Integrator AS2 Edition functions as follows when used with Sterling B2B Integrator:

1. You add a document to the Sterling B2B Integrator AS2 Edition system’s Outbound directory or mailbox designated for a trading partner. (Alternatively, you can email the document straight to be processed rather than adding it to a file system or mailbox. In this case, move on to step 3 of the procedure.
2. Depending on the schedule you’ve chosen, the File System adapter or Mailbox adapter checks the trading partner’s Outbound directory.
3. The File System adapter (or Mailbox adapter or HTTP Client Adapter) launches a present business procedure that transmits the document to your trading partner’s AS2 system if a document is discovered in the Outbound directory. When employing direct processing, starting a specified business process with the AS2Outbound command transmits the document to your trading partner’s AS2 system.
4. If there is a problem sending your document to your trading partner, a copy of the data and an error report are stored on your system in the trading partner’s error directory. You can check the error log, make the necessary data corrections, and copy the updated file to the Outbound directory so that it can be delivered to the trade partner.
5. The AS2 system of your trade partner sends you an MDN if you requested one. The MDN is processed by your Sterling B2B Integrator AS2 Edition system, which also updates the MDN’s EDIINT transaction data.
6. A copy of the data and an error log are stored in the trading partner’s system’s error directory if the MDN contains a negative response. You can check the error log, make the necessary data corrections, and copy the updated file to the Outbound directory so that it can be delivered to the trade partner.
7. A system outside of Sterling B2B Integrator extracts the document for use in another system when it is received by your trading partner.