Doing Business with DoD Using Electronic Data Interchange: An Information Package for Freight Carriers

The Department of Defense (DoD) is encouraging the application of electronic data interchange (EDI) techniques to replace paper documents in its transportation processes. In keeping with that emphasis, the Military Traffic Management Command and DoD finance centers are anxious to establish an EDI relationship with freight carriers. This information package is designed to assist freight carriers in transitioning from the traditional paper operating environment to an EDI environment. This report defines EDI in Defense transportation and describes the freight EDI operating concept along with the EDI standards and DoD conventions intended for use by freight carriers and DoD. The necessary components to implement an EDI program, such as computer hardware, EDI software, and the EDI value-added network, are also described providing freight carriers general guidance on how to initiate and conduct EDI freight business with Defense transportation.