B.

EDI COMMUNICATION LAYER: The communication portion of EDI deals with communication device called modem Which provides interface to the VAN.

There are three methods of EDI Accessing : 1.Direct dial /modem modem connection 2.Limited third party VAN service 3.Full service third party VAN.

1.Direct dial /modem modem connection : In this the user has direct access to the partners modem and communicates by modem to dial the modem of other party.

2. Limited third party VAN service: These are regional and international communication service providers used with email etc. The VAN provides few technical services like protocol conversion , error detection and correction and delivery the EDI message by means of mail box between the customer and supplier. 3.Full service third party VAN : It provides gateway access to two different network communication between two trading partners must have registered account with the third party and maintain their identification to provide EDI transaction.

Value added Network VAN:

Added Service Network which provide communication exchanges among trading partners. It provides services like holding messages in electronic mail box. i. Interfacing with other VANS ii. Supporting many telecommunication nodes and transfer protocols. of EDI messages

Electronic Mail Box It is a software in which user deposits EDI translations and then retrieves those message when they convenient.

It works like a personal mail boxes .VANS have allowed companies to automatically and securely exchange their purchase orders , invoices , payments etc

Interfacing with other VANS: It can interconnect different types of networks including VANS. It provides transactions among those interconnected networks.