Trading Partner Data Conversion Basics

You can transfer trading partner data from the following Gentran applications into Sterling B2B Integrator.

Application

Version(s) supported for trading partner conversion

Sterling Gentran:Server for UNIX

5.3 and 6.0

Sterling Gentran:Server for Windows

3.2 or later

Sterling Gentran:Basic® for zSeries

Sterling Gentran:Basic for zSeries 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4
Using provided conversion utilities, you can convert trading partner data into an XML format for import into Sterling B2B Integrator. You can also create XML documents for exporting trading partner information out of Sterling B2B Integrator. The ability to import and export trading partner data enables you to:
  • Migrate trading partner data, such as envelopes and codes, from one system to another, or from a test system to a production system.
  • Bypass much of the manual setup of trading profiles required during migration activities.
  • More easily troubleshoot difficulties, because you can export trading partner data and send the .xml file to IBM® Customer Support.
  • Back up your trading partner data.

Any time you import data into Sterling B2B Integrator, it saves a copy of the pre-existing related data that was saved in Sterling B2B Integrator prior to your import operation, so that you can save a backup file.

Data Conversion Types

The conversion of trading partner data generates inbound and outbound envelope data for your trading partner profiles. The following table indicates the trading partner data converted, depending on your conversion type:

Conversion type

Data generated
  • From a standard format to application format
  • From a standard format to XML

Inbound envelope and an outbound acknowledgment envelope, if configured
  • From an application format to a standard format
  • From XML to a standard format

Outbound envelope and an outbound acknowledgment envelope, if configured

From one standard format to another

Inbound envelope, an outbound envelope, and an outbound acknowledgment envelope, if configured
The XML file created includes the following envelopes, according to the standard used:
  • EDIFACT (Inbound and Outbound) and Outbound acknowledgment
    • UNH/UNT Syntax 4
    • UNG/UNE Syntax 4
    • UNB/UNZ Syntax 4
  • ASC X12 (Inbound and Outbound) and Outbound acknowledgment
    • ST/SE
    • GS/GE
    • ISA/IEA
  • Japanese Center for Informatization of Industry (CII)
  • Tradacoms (zSeries conversion only)
    • STX/END