Value-Added Network

IBM Sterling B2B Integration Value-Added Network (VAN) is a cloud-based solution that is integrated into the IBM B2B Integration portfolio.

Overview

IBM VAN facilitates secure and reliable electronic data exchange (EDI) with customers, suppliers, distributors, and trading partners globally. This standardized solution bridges your business with over 3.1 million existing EDI trading partners.

Benefits

Secure and reliable communication
  • End-to-end encryption protects business-critical information.
  • Strong authentication mechanisms verify user identities.
  • Compliance with industry security standards (HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001) helps in making sure legal alignment.
  • Message integrity and nonrepudiation help ensure data accuracy and verification of transmission.
Global reach and interoperability
  • Connect businesses with global trading partners through a standardized platform.
  • Supports multiple EDI standards, such as ANSI X12, EDIFACT, TRADACOMS, flat files, CSV, JSON, and XML
  • Supports multiple protocols, such as AS2, FTP and SFTP, HTTP and HTTPS, and MQ
Cost efficiency
  • Facilitates cost optimization by eliminating costly point-to-point connections and infrastructure investments.
  • Flexible pricing model that is tailored to volume and needs.
  • Reduces IT costs.
Scalability and high availability
  • Enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure handles high transaction volumes and helps ensure availability.
  • Scalability for rapidly growing or changing business needs.
  • Redundant architecture with built-in failover mechanisms minimizes downtime.
Real-time monitoring and reporting
  • Provides real-time visibility into message transactions and processing to allow for quick issue resolution and informed decision making.
  • Detailed audit trails for regulatory and internal compliance.
  • Automated alerts for failed transmissions, delays, or security concerns.

How VAN works

IBM VAN acts as an intermediary, securely transmitting EDI documents.

Document transmission
The sender transmits the EDI documents, such as purchase orders or invoices. The supported formats include ANSI X12, EDIFACT, TRADACOMS, XML, and JSON. And the supported protocols include all industry standard protocols like AS2, SFTP, FTP, HTTP(S), OFTP2, or Interconnect with known service providers.
Validation and routing
The VAN validates the document for compliance and securely routes it to the intended recipient based on the recipient's EDI ID/qualifier. Data transformations, if needed, help ensure compatibility with recipient systems.
Partner connectivity
The recipient retrieves the document through their preferred connectivity method (AS2, SFTP, VAN Interconnect).
Acknowledgment, tracking, and reporting
The VAN confirms successful receipt and processing and provides tracking information throughout the transaction lifecycle.

Why use IBM VAN?

By using IBM VAN, you can ensure secure, efficient, and compliant EDI transactions while you reduce integration complexity and IT costs.