How to Choose Between AS2, VAN, and API for EDI Integration in Manufacturing

For finance and IT leaders in the world of manufacturing, choosing how to connect, automate, and secure your business data can be a game-changer. In today’s manufacturing landscape, efficient Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is no longer a luxury—it’s essential for regulatory compliance, supply chain agility, cost reduction, and competitiveness. But which integration approach is right for you: AS2, Value Added Network (VAN), or APIs? At BOLD VAN, we've spent decades helping companies transition through these choices, so let’s cut through the jargon and offer a fresh, practical perspective for SMB and enterprise manufacturers.

What Are AS2, VAN, and API in EDI—And Why Do They Matter in Manufacturing?

Before you select the right integration path for your business, understanding these three core technologies is key:

 
• AS2 (Applicability Statement 2): A direct, secure protocol for EDI messaging over the internet—popular with large retail and logistics partners.
 
• VAN (Value Added Network): A managed, mailbox-based network that routes, tracks, stores, and translates EDI documents among thousands of partners globally.
 
• API (Application Programming Interface): Modern programmatic connections allowing real-time, flexible integration between EDI, ERPs, and other business software with high automation and data visibility.

Each method shines in certain circumstances, and at BOLD VAN, we’ve implemented all three (sometimes for a single client!). Let’s get personal about their strengths, weaknesses, and the real-world factors that matter.

AS2: Direct, Secure, but Demanding

AS2 has earned its place as the protocol of choice for direct EDI connections, especially when trading with industry giants (think Walmart, Target, etc.). Here’s why manufacturers consider AS2 first—and what you need to know:

 
• Security: Fully encrypted in transit, using digital certificates for authentication—checking boxes for compliance.
 
• Directness: Data goes straight from your system to your partner’s, with little middleman interference.
 
• Reliability: Built for high-volume, mission-critical workflows—but you’re responsible for the technical setup, monitoring, and certificate renewals.

Drawbacks for Manufacturers:

 
• Each new partner requires new handshakes, configuration, and sometimes strict testing requirements.
 
• Certificate management can become a headache—miss one and data may stop flowing.
 
• Supporting multiple protocols due to different trading partner preferences increases IT burden.

VAN: The Backbone for Manufacturing EDI—And a Surprisingly Modern Option

The VAN approach is often misunderstood as “legacy,” but, in our experience, it remains the bedrock of manufacturing EDI for some very good reasons:

 
• Universal Connectivity: Connect to thousands of partners—the VAN handles protocol differences, routing, and compatibility.
 
• Simplicity: Minimal configuration required from your IT team. No need to set up new connections for every partner. We do the heavy lifting.
 
• Resilience: Automatic retries, archiving, and tracking of your EDI traffic—even as your supply chain model grows more complex.
 
• Compliance & Audit: Detailed logging, access control, and archiving for regulatory and partner requirements (at BOLD VAN, instant access for up to two years with enterprise plans).
 
• Pricing: Modern VANs like us use transparent trading partner-based pricing—no more unpredictable kilo-character fees.

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Potential Limitations:

• If you want direct data access inside your ERP or need event-driven automation, a pure VAN may need to be paired with API or integration tools.
 
• Not all VANs are created equal—data latency, poor support, or hidden fees are still common in the industry (avoid them!).

API: Unlocking Modern Manufacturing Automation

As manufacturers digitize more of their process, APIs are unlocking new possibilities:

 
• Real-Time Sync: Move data instantly between EDI, your ERP (NetSuite, SAP, Infor, etc.), and external apps—no more waiting on batch processing or manual entry.
 
• Event-Driven Workflows: Trigger business logic across your systems (inventory allocation, notifications, compliance checks) with each EDI document receipt.
 
• Granular Visibility: Advanced dashboards, audit logs, and reporting—direct from your business tools.
 
• Scalability: APIs grow with you, supporting complex B2B models or direct retailer integrations as your digital maturity advances.

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Points to Ponder

 
• APIs require technical expertise for setup—your team, partner, or a managed integration provider needs strong experience.
 
• APIs rely on the quality of the underlying EDI system. Poorly designed APIs, or EDI platforms that lack robust monitoring, yield poor results.
 
• Some manufacturing customers prefer the traditional VAN/AS2 approach for partners not yet API-ready, so hybrid models are common.

Key Decision Factors—How We Recommend You Choose

Here’s how we advise real BOLD VAN customers when selecting the right path for EDI integration in manufacturing. Consider these decision points:

1. Size and Complexity of Your Trading Partner Network

 
• Many partners, global reach: A VAN is almost always the simplest and lowest risk option—one connection, infinite partners.
 
• Few, high-volume direct partners (e.g., a single retail giant): AS2 or API may offer speed and control if your IT team is equipped.

2. IT Resources and Appetite for Management

 
• Lean teams: Focus on a VAN with strong support and visibility. Minimize manual setup, certificates, and troubleshooting.
 
• Robust IT/EDI group & desire for control: APIs and AS2 direct connections may offer custom automation, but require ongoing vigilance.

3. Compliance and Security Requirements

 
• Strict regulatory environment or sensitive data: AS2 and modern VANs cover the bases with encryption, logging, and audit capabilities. Confirm your provider’s credentials!

4. Future-Proofing Your Business

 
• Looking to automate, enable business intelligence, or scale into new digital commerce channels? Consider a solution that allows hybrid: VAN for core B2B, APIs for ERP and digital platform integration.
 
• Ask about options to migrate legacy Gentran servers or other on-premise systems to the cloud for agility and cost control.

Why Many Manufacturers Use All Three (and How BOLD VAN Makes It Work)

In reality, many manufacturers need a combination. For a typical mid-sized manufacturer, your setup may look like:

 
• AS2 connections with major retailers or supply chain partners who demand it
 
• VAN for broad-based connectivity with thousands of manufacturing or distribution partners (speed, simplicity, and compliance)
 
• APIs for integration into ERP, WMS, and real-time analytics platforms (agility and automation)

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The ideal solution is not forcing you to pick just one. What matters is the ability to mix, match, and scale without ripping out your existing investments. With BOLD VAN, for instance, you can:

 
• Onboard all trading partners at no charge—even if they require different protocols (learn how onboarding works).
 
• Never change your EDI IDs or disrupt partner relationships during migration.
 
• Retain access to all EDI data for at least 90 days through our cloud portal—and up to seven years on request (see our FAQ).
 
• Choose your preferred blend of AS2, VAN, and API integration as your needs change—without renegotiating your contract or chasing multiple vendors.
 
• Benefit from flat-rate, transparent pricing with no kilo-character surprises.

Questions to Ask Your Vendor Before Deciding

 
• How are new trading partners onboarded and what is the typical lead time?
 
• If I need to migrate, do I retain my EDI IDs, maps, and historical data?
 
• How is data security handled across AS2, VAN, and API channels?
 
• What kind of support do you provide—especially during migration and go-live?
 
• How transparent and predictable is the billing model? Any surprise fees?
 
• Can your platform support real-time API/ERP integration as we evolve?

Get the Right EDI Fit—Not Just a Checklist Solution

EDI integration is not about picking a buzzword. It’s about aligning your manufacturing workflows, IT realities, and business vision with the right tools for today—and tomorrow. AS2, VAN, and APIs are all part of the modern EDI conversation, and at BOLD VAN, our perspective is that no manufacturer should be forced to conform to one approach if their business demands more.

If you’re curious about how a blended, future-proof EDI setup could work for your manufacturing environment—or if you’re ready to cut costs, boost reliability, and level up your EDI visibility—we’d love to continue the conversation. Our team of EDI experts is dedicated to guiding manufacturers through smooth migrations, hybrid integrations, and lasting improvements with BOLD VAN.

Ready to rethink EDI for your manufacturing operations? Schedule a free personalized demo or upload your current VAN bill and see how much you could save—risk free.