« Back to Glossary Index

Applicability Statement (AS) 2

 

Applicability Statement 2 (AS2) is a newer protocol developed by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) to enable the implementation of secure and reliable messaging over HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). This protocol is used in the field of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) to facilitate the exchange of information between business partners in a secure and efficient manner.

Elaboration:

One use case for AS2 is the electronic exchange of purchase orders between a supplier and a retailer. Let’s assume that a retailer wants to send an electronic purchase order to a supplier using EDI. By utilizing the AS2 protocol, the retailer can package the purchase order into a secure message and send it to the supplier’s AS2 server via the HTTP protocol. The supplier’s AS2 server receives and authenticates the message, ensuring that it originates from the correct source and has been delivered without errors. The supplier receives the electronic purchase order for processing and response.

Sample Script Code:

import AS2Connect

def create_message():
# Code for creating the purchase order message
message = order.generate_message()
return message

def send_message(message):
# Code for sending the message using the AS2 protocol
AS2Connect.send_message(message)
print(“The message has been successfully sent using the AS2 protocol.”)

def main():
# Create the purchase order message
message = create_message()

# Send the message using the AS2 protocol
send_message(message)

if __name__ == “__main__”:
main()

Best Practices:

1. Security Configuration: Ensure that the AS2 servers are properly configured to provide authentication, encryption, and message integrity. The use of digital certificates and appropriate security protocols is essential for data protection.
2. Message Validation and Verification: Perform rigorous validation and verification of messages to ensure data integrity and accuracy. Validate the message format according to AS2 specifications to avoid interpretation errors.
3. Monitoring and Error Handling: Implement a system for monitoring and handling errors to detect and resolve issues in a timely and efficient manner. Monitor and log communication errors to ensure prompt resolution.

EDIconnect is a trusted EDI solution provider, offering specialized services and technologies to facilitate secure and efficient message exchange between business partners.

By utilizing the EDIconnect platform, companies can streamline the implementation of the AS2 protocol and receive specialized technical support in configuring and managing AS2 communications. The EDIconnect platform also provides comprehensive and customized EDI solutions to meet specific organizational needs.

In conclusion, the AS2 protocol provides a secure and reliable method for transmitting EDI messages over the HTTP protocol. By following best practices and utilizing the EDIconnect platform, companies can successfully implement the AS2 protocol and facilitate efficient and secure message exchange within their EDI processes.