EDI - X12
X12 is not a specific vendor but is a standardized and widely used XML file format used for a wide variety of EDI processing. For example, Kleinschmidt, Inc. is one value-added network that offers integration with many other building material industry vendors like Black & Decker, LBM Advantage (formerly ENAP and PAL), Midwest Fasteners, Merillat, National Hardware, Pure Fishing, Reeb Millwork, 3 G’s Cleveland, Timber Mart, and Wooster Brush; however, we can integrate with other providers as well. The following list includes the current functionality for use with EDI vendors who accept and transmit data using X12 EDI standards:
•Send Purchase Orders (X12 850)
•Send Remittance Advice (X12 820) (This is used to notify a vendor when a payment is processed.)
•Receive Purchase Order Updates (from either Advance Ship Notices (X12 856) or Invoice Data Files (X12 810))
•Price/Sales Catalog Updates (X12 832)
•Create Payables from Received Invoices
•Bulk Apply: function that allows retrieval and processing of all EDI documents at one time.
Initial Setup
As mentioned, X12 is a data format, not an EDI provider. Some vendors may accept X12 data directly while others use a third party or VAN (Value Added Network) to assist with data exchange. Once X12 is enabled for a VAN, you can perform EDI operations with any of the vendors the VAN provider supports.
After the X12 EDI feature is enabled by support personnel, the settings for your VAN and any vendors must be done from the Branch Setup (Maintenance) form (Main Menu > Maintenance > Database > Branches). If your company has more than one location, the setup would have to be repeated for each branch. There is an EDI tab in the Branch Setup where the EDI settings must be entered. This includes an account, user name & password for electronic access, and specifying directories where data files will be saved.
Adding Vendors
The main difference between the X12 option and other EDI features is that X12 can be used with many vendors. You will need to add a new vendor record with the account, login, and other vendor-specific information that makes the data transfer possible. Each vendor record needs to be mapped with their X12 identifier (ID) and qualifier. This is done from the Branch Setup form (Main Menu > Maintenance > Database > Branches, EDI tab).
Branch Setup Form > EDI Tab > Vendor Menu Marker 
Options
X12 IDs and qualifiers for your company and any vendors are provided by your selected VAN (value added network). Support does not have access to this information. Please contact your VAN directly if you have questions or need additional information about these settings.
Specifications
The following child topics offer details regarding the specifications for each document type that we either produce (transmit) or process (receive). There are many other types of X12 documents that don't apply to our use. A single transmission can contain multiple documents and types of documents. Specific vendors don't necessarily utilize all the formats listed.