Transformation terminology

Terms	Definitions
message standard	Defines the format or structure of the message. Examples are ASC X12, UN-EDIFACT, XML, or BOD.
message type	Defines the content of the message and the business process. Examples are VDA 4905, VDA 4915, ASC X12 830 Planning Schedule with Release Capability, or ASC X12 862 Shipping Schedule.
style sheet	Defines the rules to transform an input `XML` file into an output `XML` file.
format file description (FFD)	Describes the structure of the input file or structured output file. A source FFD is used to convert a structured message file such as ASC X12 or UN-EDIFACT to XML. A target FFD is used to convert an XML output file to a structured message file such as ASC X12 or UN-EDIFACT.
partner	Classifies business partners or system partners who exchange standardized messages with you: A business partner is a classification for all customers or vendors that are combined. A business partner cannot be a single customer or supplier number. A business partner is, for example, BMW or GM. For some business partners it is required to split the business partner into different divisions. For example: spare parts, service parts, or MGO and AMK for Opel. A system partner is, for example, an external system such as Accounting or CAD.
partner hierarchy	Represents a list of business partners or system partners who are organized and grouped in a hierarchical tree structure. The tree structure of the partner hierarchy consists of one or several partner IDs.
partner ID	Represents an element of the partner hierarchy. Each partner ID can consist of child nodes. For example, GM is a partner ID of the "partners" hierarchy. Opel, Vauxhall, and Bertone are from this perspective child nodes of GM.

message standard

Defines the format or structure of the message. Examples are ASC X12, UN-EDIFACT, XML, or BOD.

message type

Defines the content of the message and the business process. Examples are VDA 4905, VDA 4915, ASC X12 830 Planning Schedule with Release Capability, or ASC X12 862 Shipping Schedule.

style sheet

Defines the rules to transform an input XML file into an output XML file.

format file description (FFD)

Describes the structure of the input file or structured output file. A source FFD is used to convert a structured message file such as ASC X12 or UN-EDIFACT to XML. A target FFD is used to convert an XML output file to a structured message file such as ASC X12 or UN-EDIFACT.

partner

Classifies business partners or system partners who exchange standardized messages with you:

A business partner is a classification for all customers or vendors that are combined. A business partner cannot be a single customer or supplier number. A business partner is, for example, BMW or GM. For some business partners it is required to split the business partner into different divisions. For example: spare parts, service parts, or MGO and AMK for Opel.
A system partner is, for example, an external system such as Accounting or CAD.

partner hierarchy

Represents a list of business partners or system partners who are organized and grouped in a hierarchical tree structure. The tree structure of the partner hierarchy consists of one or several partner IDs.

partner ID

Represents an element of the partner hierarchy. Each partner ID can consist of child nodes. For example, GM is a partner ID of the "partners" hierarchy. Opel, Vauxhall, and Bertone are from this perspective child nodes of GM.