EDIFACT ORDRSP — the order confirmation message explained
In short: The EDIFACT ORDRSP (Order Response) message is the electronic confirmation a supplier sends the retailer in reply to an ORDERS: it accepts the order in full, accepts it partially (with quantity or date changes), or rejects it. It is the direct equivalent of X12 855.
Key capabilities
- Line-level status: Acceptance code (AA), accepted with changes (AR), rejected (RE) — at line level, not at the whole-order level.
- Partial quantity proposals: You can confirm 800 units out of a 1,000-unit line if stock is short — the retailer decides whether to keep or cancel the difference.
- New date proposals: If you can't deliver on the requested date, ORDRSP proposes an alternative date — the retailer confirms or cancels.
- Auto-generated from your ERP: EDIconnect pulls availability from your ERP (stock plus production lead time) and issues ORDRSP automatically, with no manual intervention.
ORDRSP and chargeback prevention
The most common retail chargeback comes from the gap between what was ordered and what was delivered: ORDERS says 1,000 units, DESADV says 850, and the retailer applies a 3-5% penalty on the line value. With an ORDRSP sent promptly (within 24 hours) honestly stating 'only 850 units available', the retailer has time to source the difference from a backup supplier — and no chargeback is applied.
EDIconnect automatically issues ORDRSP from your ERP's ATP data, within each retailer's SLA window, using a configurable rule (accept-all, partial-with-alternative, reject-if-below-threshold).
Frequently asked questions
What is the EDIFACT ORDRSP message?
ORDRSP (Order Response) is the supplier's reply to an EDI ORDERS. It confirms, modifies or rejects, at line level, what will actually be delivered. The retailer gets a clear picture of the expected delivery before it even leaves the warehouse.
Is ORDRSP mandatory?
Yes, in any serious EDI relationship. Most large retailers (Kaufland, Carrefour, Lidl, Metro, Auchan) require ORDRSP within 24-48 hours of receiving the ORDERS and penalize delays.
What happens if I don't send ORDRSP?
The retailer assumes you'll deliver the order in full, at the requested quantities and date. If you then deliver something different (a divergent DESADV), they record a chargeback — far more costly than an ORDRSP with changes sent early.
Can I send multiple ORDRSPs for the same order?
Yes — an initial ORDRSP confirms availability, and a follow-up update ORDRSP can be sent if the situation changes. The most recently sent one takes priority.
How does EDIconnect decide which quantities to confirm?
From your ERP's available-to-promise (ATP) stock plus your business rules (reservations, backorders, per-customer allocation). It's configurable per retailer — for example, prioritizing a key account over a smaller store.