scope:

Understanding Standards, Conventions and Guidelines The PIDX Implementation Guide uses the terms standards, conventions, and guidelines and the following definitions are provided to assist the reader in understanding the difference between the terms:

• Standards

Standards are the technical documentation approved by ASC X12, specifically Transaction Sets, Segments, Data Elements, Code sets and Interchange Control Structure. Standards define what is included in each ASC X12 standard.

• Conventions

Conventions are the common practices and/or interpretations of the use of ASC X12 standards, complying with the standards as agreed upon by two or more trading partners. Conventions define what is in- cluded in a specific implementation of an ASC X12 standard.

• Guidelines

Guidelines are instructions on the use of ED1 and additional information to conduct EDI. Guidelines are intended to provide assistance on how to implement EDI.