The system takes over tasks from the areas of message conversion, message routing, and message transfer using various protocols. SOPTIM EDI supports the EDIFACT models from Germany and the Netherlands as well as the ebIX models in Switzerland.

SOPTIM EDI is certified by EDNA and received the seal of quality in November of 2007.

SOPTIM EDI provides the core functions:

Conversion

One of the core functions of SOPITM EDI is the conversion of messages from a source format to one or more target formats. Types of messages and formats available are:

Communication and Protocols

SOPTIM EDI supports the communication channels and protocols:

Forwarding

Depending on its configuration SOPTIM EDI can forward messages to any location within the company in different target formats. Depending on the type of message different targets for forwarding can be defined for one source.

User Interface

With SOPTIM EDI users have an interface at their disposal to both maintain the address information required for communication and setup the required parameters for technical communication.

Furthermore, any number of complex total processes can be defined by assigning partial tasks using the user interface of SOPTIM EDI. One total process can for example comprise the complete exchange of data for one role in the market.

Steps which can be combined to form a total process are:

• File Reception
  - download e-mail, file e-mail and attachment
  - file AS2 attachment
• Sending files (e-mail, FTP, AS2)
• Forwarding files according to the identified message type
• Converting the message to one or more target formats

Further functions in the user interface make it possible, for example, to control runtime or evaluate the data portfolio (e.g., missing CONTRL, negative APERAK, and so on)

SOPTIM EDI Can be Used in Various Application Scenarios:

SOPTIM EDI as a stand-alone solution

Independent from other technical applications SOPTIM EDI can be used in energy supply companies as a central data hub and as platform for the exchange of data in the market. Address data of the market partners required for communication are maintained and processes that determine the exchange process and distribution of data in its partial steps are defined in SOPTIM EDI.

SOPTIM EDI with SOPTIM NEM and SOPTIM NZM for System Operators

In this case SOPIM EDI is linked to SOPTIM NEM or SOPTIM NZM by a database interface. This means that the messages received are no longer forwarded but entered directly into the SOPTIM NEM or SOPTIM NZM database tables, and thus are delivered to technical applications for further processes provided by SOPTIM NEM and SOPTIM NZM.

In the other direction the messages resulting from the technical processes in SOPTIM NEM and SOPTIM NZM are grabbed and delivered to conversion and dispatch. Due to this, the technical processes of change of supply from the point of view of the system operator can be efficiently linked to data exchange processes and automated to a high degree; all in accordance with the GPKE and GeLi processes required by the German Federal Network Agency.

In this context, the messages UTILMD, CONTRL, APERAK, REQDOC and MSCONS (in Switzerland ebIX) are processed for the processes energy data transfer and change of supplier.

SOPTIM EDI with SOPTIM VIM for Distribution

In this case SOPTIM EDI is linked to SOPTIM VIM via a database interface. This means that received messages are no longer distributed but entered directly into the SOPTIM VIM database table and are directly delivered to the technical functions for further processing provided by SOPTIM VIM.

In the other direction messages resulting from the technical processes in VIM are grabbed and delivered to conversion and dispatch.
Due to this, the technical processes of change of supply from the point of view of the system operator can be efficiently linked to data exchange processes and automated to a high degree; all in accordance with the GPKE and GeLi processes required by the German Federal Network Agency.

In this context, the messages UTILMD, CONTRL, APERAK, REQDOC, INVOIC, REMADV and MSCONS (in Switzerland ebIX) are processed for the processes energy data transfer, change of supplier and auditing.

SOPTIM EDI with SOPTIM PMS for procurement and trade

In this case SOPTIM EDI is linked to SOPTIM PMS via a database interface. This means that received messages are no longer distributed but entered directly into the SOPTIM PMS database table and directly delivered to the technical functions for further processing provided by SOPTIM PMS.

In the other direction messages resulting from the technical processes in PMS are grabbed and delivered to dispatch. In this context, the EDIG@S messages NOMINT, NOMRES, ALOCAT, CONTRL, APERAK and MSCONS are processed for the processes Scheduled Nomination Natural Gas and Collection of Actual Data Balancing Group Operators Time Series.

Despite the close coupling of SOPTIM EDI with one of the technical applications mention use as a central data hub is still possible. SOPTIM EDI can be scaled by defining any number of processes, so that even the highest demands on turnover and performance are met.