FIGURE 3.13 EFT Transaction between Trading Partners
The buyer’s EDI system receives the purchase invoices and automatically approves them for payment. On the payment date, the buyer’s system automatically makes an EFT to its originating bank (OBK). The OBK removes funds from the buyer’s account and transmits them electronically to the automatic clearinghouse (ACH) bank. The ACH is a central bank that carries accounts for its member bank. The ACH transfers the funds from the OBK to the receiving bank (RBK), which in turn applies the funds to the seller’s account.
Transferring funds by EFT poses no special problem. A check can easily represented within the x.12 format. The problem arises with the remittance advice information that accompanies the check. Remittance advice information is often quite extensive because of complexities in the transaction. The check may be in payment of multiple invoices or only a partial invoice. There may be disputed amounts because of price disagreements, damaged goods, or incomplete deliveries. In traditional system, modifying the remittance advice and/or attaching a letter explaining the payment resolves these disputes.