Sending DESADV to SAP – How to Ensure Secure & Efficient EDI Integration
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If you want to send DESADV messages to SAP, you’ll likely ask yourself: How can I transfer shipping notifications to SAP reliably, automatically, and without media disruption? Especially when working with large customers or corporations, EDI integration (Electronic Data Interchange) is not optional – it’s a requirement.
In this article, we’ll show you how to send DESADV messages to SAP securely, what to consider, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
What is a DESADV?
DESADV stands for “Despatch Advice”—an electronic shipping notification indicating that a delivery is on its way. It includes details such as:
- Sender and recipient
- Delivery date
- Quantity and contents of the shipment
- Packaging units
- Delivery note number
It’s often used as an EDIFACT message (type DESADV D.96A or D.01B), but XML formats like ZUGFeRD or SAP IDoc (e.g., DELVRY03) are also possible.
Why send DESADV to SAP?
If your business partner uses SAP and is EDI-connected, they will often require a DESADV – sometimes even mandatorily. Why?
- Automated goods receipt posting
- Fewer errors and fewer inquiries
- Faster processes in logistics & accounting
- Compliance with delivery conditions (e.g. just-in-time)
Requirements for sending DESADV to SAP
To send a DESADV to SAP, you need:
- An EDI-capable solution connected to your ERP or inventory system
- A defined message format (e.g. EDIFACT, XML, IDoc)
- Communication channels such as AS2, X.400, or Peppol
- Mapping & conversion of your data to the required format
- A testing phase with your partner (often coordinated on the SAP side)
Process Flow – Step by Step
- Entry of delivery data in your system
- Conversion into the appropriate EDI format (e.g., DESADV D.96A)
- Transmission to SAP via EDI channel (e.g., AS2, X.400, Peppol)
- Processing in SAP: goods receipt, delivery note verification, etc.
Feedback (optional): acknowledgment or error report
Additional Considerations
In practice, many companies don’t refer to a “shipping notification” but use terms like delivery note, delivery advice, or the English technical term Despatch Advice (DESADV). In all cases, it refers to the same EDI message that informs about the shipment of a delivery.
Especially with SAP systems, it’s common for the transmission to occur in IDoc format. The standard type DELVRY03 is particularly widespread. If your business partner uses SAP, it’s essential to know precisely which message format and version are required. At BESITEC, we support all common SAP formats—from EDIFACT and XML to SAP IDoc—and handle the appropriate mapping & conversion.
Fun Fact: Even though EDIFACT is an international standard, many SAP users internally rely almost exclusively on IDocs—the “language” that SAP systems understand best.
No EDI System? No Problem. With our web interface web.edi, you can manually upload your delivery notes and send them to your SAP customer company—as IDoc or EDIFACT, as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions about DESADV & SAP Integration
What is an IDoc?
An IDoc (Intermediate Document) is SAP’s internal format for structured data exchange with external partners. It serves as a container for business data such as delivery information, orders, or invoices.
What does DELVRY03 mean?
DELVRY03 is a standard IDoc type for shipping and delivery data. Many SAP systems expect precisely this format when processing DESADV messages.
Do I always have to use EDIFACT?
Not necessarily. Many systems also work with XML, SAP IDoc, or even customer-specific formats. What’s crucial is what your business partner requires—we ensure that you meet all requirements. The EDIFACT standards are provided by the UNECE.
Our Tip: EDI Integration Without Headaches
At BESITEC, we support companies in implementing EDI processes like transmitting DESADV to SAP simply and reliably—whether through our b.edi solution or with the user-friendly web interface web.edi.
- Direct SAP integration possible
- Support for all common formats & channels
- Scalable for single and bulk shipments
- Support during testing & go-live
