AS2 vs SFTP vs VAN — Which EDI Communication Protocol Do You Need?

EDI documents need to get from point A to point B securely. There are three main protocols used in retail EDI: **AS2 (Applicability Statement 2)**: The most common protocol for direct retailer connections. Walmart, Target, and Home Depot typically require AS2. It uses HTTPS with digital certificates for encryption and non-repudiation. **SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)**: A simpler alternative where files are uploaded/downloaded from a secure FTP server. Used by some smaller retailers and warehouse management systems. **VAN (Value-Added Network)**: A third-party network like GXS/OpenText where EDI documents are routed. More expensive but very reliable. Some older retailer connections still run on VANs. EDIPlug manages all three protocols. You never need to configure a single certificate or FTP credential.