Advanced Shipping Notices (ASNs) are essential documents in today’s rapidly changing world. But they’re not easy to master. Alongside the information you’d expect to be included on these documents–like shipment numbers, delivery dates, and addresses–you’ll find barcodes, tracking numbers, and even expiration dates for perishable goods. It can be a lot to wrap your head around.
If you want to take control of your supply chain, you need to master the Advanced Shipping Notice. This easy-to-understand guide will give you a comprehensive understanding of ASNs and their underlying technology.
Let’s go for it.
ASN stands for Advanced Shipping Notice. It’s a document sent by a supplier to a customer in advance of a shipment of goods. It provides detailed information about the products shipped, including product descriptions, quantities, and the expected delivery date. It helps the customer prepare for goods to arrive.
An Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN) is a document that provides detailed information about a shipment to a recipient in advance of delivery. It typically includes information such as the shipment’s contents, the quantity, and type of items being shipped, the shipping and billing details, and the expected delivery date.
Here’s why leading companies rely on ASN shipping to fortify their operations.
Before getting into the nitty gritty of an EDI ASN, let’s quickly clarify what we mean by EDI.
EDI stands for Electronic Data Interchange. It’s a means of sharing information digitally between trading partners. It uses a structured digital format to automate the exchange of business documents computer-to-computer, guaranteeing compliance and safe dispatch and receipt.
EDI is automated. It removes humans from the equation, eliminating mistakes and breakdowns in communication. It requires no pens, paper, ink, stamps, or physical storage, making it the most cost-effective, not to mention efficient, way of sending documents. That’s why it’s highly likely leading companies in your industry rely on ASN EDI to operate their businesses.
Here’s why EDI is such a powerful technology for exchanging documents and why (as we’ll see) Advanced Shipping Notices are usually sent using this method.
An EDI Advanced Shipping Notice (or EDI ASN) is simply an Advanced Shipping Notice sent via EDI. It communicates the contents of a shipment from one trading partner to another and is sent in advance of a shipment arriving at a trading partner’s facility.
EDI is used in a wide range of industries and usage scenarios. Each scenario has its own “transaction set,” denoted by a 3-digit code.
EDI 856 is the transaction set used for Advanced Shipping Notices, and it includes the following critical information:
EDI 856 transactions are commonly used by the retail, manufacturing, and automotive industries in response to EDI 850, EDI 830, or EDI 862 transactions. Let’s take a quick look at these to understand how they link together.
EDI 850 is an electronic purchase order (PO). EDI 850 transactions can be used for single or recurring purchases and contain the same information you would find on a paper PO, including items, prices, quantities, and discounts, as well as shipping details and payment terms.
EDI 830 is a Planning Schedule transaction set–essentially an electronic sales forecast. Senders are typically manufacturers communicating with suppliers. The Schedule allows the supplier to plan resources and automatically fulfill orders based on a customer’s inventory levels.
EDI 862 is a Shipping Schedule transaction set that sets out shipping instructions and requirements. These instructions support an EDI 830 (above) for Just-in-Time (JIT) manufacturing.
Advanced Shipping Notices (ASNs) provide detailed information about a shipment to a recipient in advance of delivery. They improve accuracy, enhance efficiency, increase visibility, strengthen business relationships, and improve forecasting.
EDI Advanced Shipping Notices, which are transmitted electronically using the EDI system, offer the added benefits of automation and digital transmission. This means faster communication, improved security, reduced costs, and seamless integration with back-office systems.
Looking to optimize your operations and supply chain management with EDI ASNs? Contact us at 1 EDI Source and let one of our knowledgeable specialists guide you on how to get started.
