Information Exchange connection to AS2 Trading Partners

Overview

If you are an Information Exchange user with a trading partner that uses AS2 directly across the Internet, and that trading partner is demanding that you too start using AS2 directly across the Internet, then Information Exchange will extract the files and send them directly across the Internet to the trading partner using AS2, on your behalf. This is done according to strict service targets so that you can meet the necessary turn around times that your trading partner requires.

Today this AS2 feature can only handle EDI formatted data.

Operation

The IE user sends the file to an IE mailbox (Account GBAS2, Userid Unnnnnnn) - paying all the IE charges.
Information Exchange extracts the file and using a certificate unique to the IE user would then send the file via AS2 to the trading partner.
Then in reverse, the trading partner would send the file via AS2 to the IE user's certificate that is with the IE AS2 service.
The IE service would send the file to the IE user's IE mailbox, apparently having been sent by GBAS2.Unnnnnnn - receiver pays all the charges.

No manipulation of the file content is performed.

Support

Support for this service is provided, as for all IBM IE issues, via the Entity Helpdesk.

Set up

The IE user talks to their trading partner and states that they wish to communicate via AS2 and requests the trading partner's company name, contact and AS2 details.

On receipt of this the IE user sends this information to Entity complete with company name, contact details and the details of the IE mailbox that will be used by the IE user for AS2 transactions. Entity arranges for the AS2 service set up.
Entity will reply with the technical details, implementation contacts and the GBAS2 mailbox for the trading partner.
The IE user advises their trading partner any required non-technical information, eg trading partner's supplier number and passes the form back to their trading partner, and copies this information to Entity for forwarding to the Information Exchange service..
If a customer has a certificate they wish to use they need to send it via the Entity Helpdesk. Alternatively a certificate will be generated on the customers behalf.
The Information Exchange service provider, as the implementation agent, will contact the trading partner and exchange certificates.
The Information Exchange service provider and the trading partner will exchange some test files (the IE user may be required to provide test files).
Entity will be informed when implementation is complete, who, in turn will notify the IE user.

If you are interested in using this service contact: Entity Helpdesk Tel: 01795 415815 or