<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ManualTopic ID="/baanerp/ec/onlinemanual/000011" xml:lang="en">
   <Header>
      <Title>Using networks</Title>
      <Keyword type="header" order="d1e332287">
         <Level1>Networks</Level1>
      </Keyword>
      <Keyword type="header" order="d1e332290">
         <Level1>Networks</Level1>
         <Level2>using</Level2>
      </Keyword>
   </Header>
   <GeneralSection>
      <Paragraph>Use <Link href="/baanerp/ec/glossary/glossary#000009" role="glossary">networks</Link> to specify the directory that ERP EDI uses
to store and retrieve messages (ASCII files).
Because data for multicompany business partners does not need to be translated
into actual <Link href="/baanerp/ec/glossary/glossary#000004" role="glossary">EDI messages</Link>, internal EDI data should be separated
from external EDI data.</Paragraph>
      <Paragraph>In most cases, you will need at least two networks. One network can represent
the directory for internal (multicompany) EDI. The other network can represent
the directory where you will exchange files with your translation/communication
software. This software handles the transmission of messages to external
business partners.</Paragraph>
      <List>
         <ListIntro>Networks are used to:</ListIntro>
         <ListItem>Define combinations of EDI messages and business partners.</ListItem>
         <ListItem>Define connection schedules.</ListItem>
         <ListItem>Record business partner identifications by network.</ListItem>
         <ListItem>Identify the networks with which your company will communicate.</ListItem>
      </List>
   </GeneralSection>
</ManualTopic>