Should you use an EDI Value-Added Network (VAN) or connect directly to trading partners via AS2? The answer depends on your partner requirements, transaction volume, and IT resources.
Here's what you need to know to make the right choice for your business.
An EDI VAN is a managed network service that routes EDI transactions between trading partners. Think of it as a digital post office: you send your documents to the VAN, and it delivers them to your partners' mailboxes — regardless of which VAN or protocol they use.
VANs handle translation between different communication protocols (AS2, SFTP, FTP, etc.), provide audit trails, and ensure secure transmission with 99.9%+ uptime.
EDI VAN:
• Connects to any trading partner regardless of their protocol
• Managed service handles routing, monitoring, and error notifications
• Monthly fees typically based on transaction volume or flat rate
• Built-in compliance with retailer requirements (Walmart, Target, Amazon)
• No IT infrastructure needed on your end
Direct AS2:
• Point-to-point connection with each trading partner
• Requires you to manage AS2 certificates, server maintenance, and monitoring
• Lower per-transaction cost but higher IT overhead
• Only works if your partner supports AS2 (many still require VAN)
• You're responsible for security, uptime, and troubleshooting
You're working with major retailers. Walmart, Target, Costco, Amazon, and most large retailers either require or strongly prefer VAN connectivity. Using a VAN means you're automatically compliant with their technical requirements.
You have multiple trading partners. Managing direct AS2 connections with 5+ partners means juggling certificates, testing protocols, and troubleshooting connection issues independently for each one. A VAN handles all of that for you.
You don't have dedicated IT staff. Direct AS2 requires server management, certificate renewals, firewall configuration, and ongoing monitoring. If you don't have an IT team, a VAN is the practical choice.
You need guaranteed uptime. BOLD VAN maintains 99.998% uptime. Your own AS2 server depends on your infrastructure, internet connection, and ability to resolve outages quickly.
You're in a regulated industry. VANs meet HIPAA, government, and financial industry security standards out of the box. Direct connections require you to implement and maintain those controls yourself.
You have one or two high-volume partners who support AS2. If you're exchanging thousands of transactions monthly with a partner who has robust AS2 infrastructure, direct connection can save money at scale.
You have experienced IT staff. Managing AS2 certificates, monitoring transmission failures, and troubleshooting protocol issues requires technical expertise.
Your partner doesn't use a VAN. Some smaller suppliers or manufacturers prefer direct AS2. In this case, you may need both: a VAN for most partners and direct AS2 for specific relationships.
Despite newer technologies, VANs are still the backbone of B2B EDI for several reasons:
Universal connectivity. VANs communicate with each other seamlessly. If you use BOLD VAN and your partner uses a different VAN, the connection just works — no special configuration needed.
Protocol translation. Your partner might use AS2 while another uses SFTP. A VAN handles the translation automatically so you don't need to support multiple protocols.
Built-in compliance. When a retailer says "become EDI compliant," they typically mean "use our approved VAN or connect via our VAN mailbox." Using a VAN from day one eliminates compliance friction.
Audit trails and reporting. VANs provide transaction tracking, error logs, and audit reports that satisfy regulatory requirements and simplify troubleshooting.
Many manufacturers use both: a VAN for most trading partners and direct AS2 for one or two high-volume relationships. This gives you:
BOLD VAN supports this hybrid model without extra fees or complexity.
Ready to compare VAN costs for your business? BOLD VAN offers transparent flat-rate pricing with no per-partner fees. Contact us or call 844-265-3777 for a customized quote.
New to EDI? Try BOLD VAN free for 3 months — no contract, no cancellation fees. Start your free trial.
