Transformation Services terminology

When you use the Transformation Services area, you should know these terms:

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.