1. Idoc type – definition of specific data structure2. Idoc – actual instance of data based on an Idoc type3. Idoc type ≈ EDI messages (EDIFACT standard)4. Idoc type vs Message type

a. Idoc type = structure of the datab. Message type = meaning of the data

5. Idoc type : Message type = 1:Ma. Idoc type ORDERS01 supports PO, SO, quotes, confirmation b. Purchasing and sales orders naturally share the same IDoc type because what is a

purchase order on the sender side will become a sales order on the receiver side.6. Idoc structure does not change with direction (inbound Idoc = outbound Idoc)7. Idoc

a. Control record – data that uniquely identifies the Idocb. Data record (segment) – application data related to the message type. Segment is made up

of a key section and data section.c. Status record – status information (eg: Idoc created, doc posted etc)

8. Idoc is data stored in structured format. It is a medium for data transfer.9. SAP Idoc EDI ALE10. Idoc control record

a. Idoc ID # (DOCNUM)b. Idoc type (DOCTYP)c. Direction (DIRECT) – In/Outd. Sender (SNDPRN)e. Receiver (RCVPRN)f. Processing status (STATUS)g. EDI Message Type (STDMES)