edi programmer analyst Interview Questions and Answers

1. What is EDI?

   • Answer: EDI stands for Electronic Data Interchange. It's the electronic exchange of business documents between trading partners in a standardized format. This eliminates paper-based documents like purchase orders, invoices, and shipping notices.

2. Explain the different EDI standards.

   • Answer: Common EDI standards include ANSI X12 (predominant in North America), EDIFACT (used internationally), and TRADACOMS (primarily used in the UK). Each standard defines specific transaction sets (e.g., 850 Purchase Order, 810 Invoice) with specific data elements and structures.

3. What is a transaction set?

   • Answer: A transaction set is a specific type of business document defined within an EDI standard. For example, an 850 is a Purchase Order transaction set, and an 810 is an Invoice transaction set. Each transaction set has a predefined structure and data elements.

4. What are segments and elements in EDI?

   • Answer: Segments are logical groupings of data within a transaction set. Elements are the individual data fields within a segment. For example, a segment might be N1 (Name) and elements within that segment could be N101 (Entity Identifier Code) and N102 (Name).

5. Describe the process of EDI implementation.

   • Answer: EDI implementation involves mapping business processes to EDI standards, selecting a communication method (e.g., VAN, AS2, FTP), developing and testing EDI transactions, and establishing ongoing monitoring and support. It also includes defining trading partner agreements and setting up communication protocols.

6. What is a VAN (Value Added Network)?

   • Answer: A VAN is a third-party service provider that facilitates the secure and reliable exchange of EDI documents between trading partners. They act as a central hub, handling translation, routing, and security.

7. What is AS2?

   • Answer: AS2 (Applicability Statement 2) is a secure communication protocol for exchanging EDI documents over the internet. It uses digital signatures and encryption to ensure data integrity and confidentiality.

8. Explain the difference between synchronous and asynchronous EDI communication.

   • Answer: Synchronous communication requires real-time interaction, like a direct connection. Asynchronous communication uses message queues or intermediary services, allowing for delayed processing and greater flexibility.

9. What are some common EDI mapping tools?

   • Answer: Examples include IBM Sterling Integrator, Informatica PowerCenter, and SeeBeyond. These tools help translate data between internal systems and the EDI standard.

10. How do you handle EDI errors?

    • Answer: Error handling involves analyzing error reports (functional acknowledgments, 997s), identifying the source of the error (mapping, data validation, communication), correcting the issue, and resubmitting the transaction.

11. What is an 997 acknowledgment?

    • Answer: A 997 is a functional acknowledgment in ANSI X12 that confirms the successful receipt and processing of an EDI transaction. It indicates whether the transaction was accepted or rejected and provides details about any errors.

12. How do you ensure data integrity in EDI?

    • Answer: Data integrity is ensured through various methods, including data validation, checksums, error detection mechanisms, and the use of secure communication protocols like AS2 and HTTPS.

13. What programming languages are commonly used in EDI development?

    • Answer: Java, C#, Python, and even COBOL are frequently used, depending on the existing infrastructure and the specific needs of the project.

14. What databases are often used with EDI systems?

    • Answer: Relational databases like Oracle, SQL Server, and MySQL are commonly employed to store EDI documents and related metadata.

15. Describe your experience with EDI troubleshooting.

    • Answer: [Candidate should describe their specific experience, detailing steps taken to identify and resolve EDI errors, including using logs, acknowledgments, and debugging tools.]

16. How do you stay updated on the latest EDI standards and technologies?

    • Answer: [Candidate should mention specific resources, such as industry websites, professional organizations, and conferences.]

17. Explain your understanding of HIPAA compliance in relation to EDI.

    • Answer: [Candidate should describe how HIPAA regulations impact the handling and transmission of protected health information (PHI) via EDI, focusing on security and privacy measures.]

18. What is your experience with different EDI transaction sets?

    • Answer: [Candidate should list specific transaction sets they have worked with, such as 850, 810, 856, etc., and briefly describe their functionality.]

19. How would you handle a situation where a trading partner's system is down?

    • Answer: [Candidate should describe their communication strategy with the trading partner, potential workarounds, and escalation procedures.]

20. Explain your experience with EDI testing methodologies.

    • Answer: [Candidate should describe their experience with unit testing, integration testing, and system testing in an EDI context.]

21. What are your strengths and weaknesses as an EDI programmer analyst?

    • Answer: [Candidate should provide honest and specific examples, focusing on technical skills and soft skills.]

22. Why are you interested in this EDI programmer analyst position?

    • Answer: [Candidate should demonstrate their understanding of the role and the company, expressing genuine interest and enthusiasm.]

23. What are your salary expectations?

    • Answer: [Candidate should provide a salary range based on research and experience.]

24. Do you have any questions for me?

    • Answer: [Candidate should ask insightful questions about the role, the team, the company culture, and the challenges they might face.]

25. What is your experience with XSLT transformations in EDI processing?

    • Answer: [Candidate describes their experience using XSLT to transform EDI documents into other formats or vice versa, highlighting specific use cases and challenges.]

26. Explain your experience with different mapping approaches (e.g., flat file mapping, database mapping).

    • Answer: [Candidate describes the different mapping approaches they've used and their suitability for various scenarios. They should highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each.]

27. How familiar are you with schema validation in EDI?

    • Answer: [Candidate describes their experience with using schemas (e.g., XSD) to validate the structure and data types of EDI documents, and the benefits of schema validation.]

28. Describe your experience with performance tuning of EDI processes.

    • Answer: [Candidate outlines their experience in optimizing EDI processes for speed and efficiency, including techniques such as indexing, query optimization, and efficient data handling.]

29. How would you approach debugging a complex EDI mapping issue?

    • Answer: [Candidate describes a systematic approach to debugging, including using logging, tracing, and debugging tools to isolate the problem and implement a solution.]

30. What is your experience with different EDI communication protocols beyond AS2 and VANs?

    • Answer: [Candidate lists other protocols they have worked with, such as SFTP, FTPS, and explains their familiarity with each.]

31. How familiar are you with EDI document management systems?

    • Answer: [Candidate explains their experience using or implementing EDI document management systems, focusing on features such as archiving, retrieval, and version control.]

32. Describe your experience with implementing EDI security measures.

    • Answer: [Candidate discusses their knowledge and practical experience implementing security measures such as encryption, digital signatures, and access controls in EDI.]

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