EDI software: What is the purpose of an EDI 830 Forecasting Document?

Question: Hi Louisa, I work for an automotive supplier and one of our customers recently stated that they wanted to start sending us an EDI 830 document. Would you be able to explain more about what an EDI 830 is and its purpose? 

Answer: An EDI 830 (DELFOR in EDIFACT) is a forecast schedule. It is a document your trading partner sends to inform you of their projected product needs and is primarily used in the automotive industry. 

The EDI 830 Forecast Schedule document may be used in a number of different ways, such as:

1. A simple forecast.
2. A forecast with the trading partner’s authorization for the vendor/supplier to commit to future resources such as labor or materials.
3. A forecast that is also turned into a firm Purchase Order. 

One caveat here is that not all 830s can be used to create a Purchase Order. Only trading partners with 830s that have release capabilities can be used to create a PO. The 830 forecasts weeks or even months in advance so you would only want to create orders that have a firm commitment and ignore the ‘probable orders’ until a later date when they become firm or agreed. 

If you would like a more thorough explanation about the EDI 830 document or if you supply to the automotive industry or any other industry that requires the EDI 830 transaction set, please feel free to call us at 401-491-9595, visit www.B2BGateway.Net or email Sales@B2BGateway.Net for further details. 

Louisa Gooding is the Director of Sales & Marketing at B2BGateway and EDI software solultion provider.