> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cedarai.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# EDI Waybill Messaging

> Automated EDI transmission for railroad waybills and car orders

## Overview

Cedar automates the transmission of EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) messages between railroads.⁠​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌⁠ Whether you're sending waybills to connecting carriers, submitting car orders, or managing haulage arrangements, Cedar handles the complexity of interline communication.

<Info>
  EDI is the standard method railroads use to exchange shipment information electronically. Cedar generates
  industry-standard messages that work with all Class I railroads and most regional carriers.
</Info>

***

## Message Types

Cedar supports multiple EDI message types for different operational needs:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Rail Carrier Waybill" icon="file-lines">
    The standard message for communicating shipment details between railroads.⁠​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌⁠ Includes equipment, route, commodity, and
    party information.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Shipper's Car Order" icon="clipboard-list">
    Used when shippers or customers submit car orders directly to railroads. Supports sending as either the railroad or
    the customer.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Automated Transmission Features

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Waybill Transmission" icon="paper-plane" defaultOpen>
    Send waybill information to connecting carriers automatically, with options to include haulage billing in the same workflow.
  </Accordion>

  {' '}

  <Accordion title="Customer Car Orders" icon="user-tie">
    Submit car orders on behalf of customers, with flexibility to send as your railroad or as the customer depending on
    your operational needs.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Acknowledgment Tracking" icon="circle-check">
    Cedar tracks EDI acknowledgments and maintains a complete audit trail of all messages sent and received.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Workflow Integration

EDI messaging integrates with Cedar's workflow automation system:

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
    Trigger[Waybill Event] --> Workflow[Automation Workflow]
    Workflow --> EDI[EDI Transmission]
    EDI --> Carrier[Connecting Carrier]
    Carrier --> Ack[Acknowledgment]
    Ack --> Status[Status Update]
```

<Steps>
  <Step title="Trigger">A waybill event triggers the workflow (new waybill, update, etc.)</Step>
  <Step title="Processing">Cedar processes the waybill according to your workflow configuration</Step>
  <Step title="Transmission">EDI messages are generated and sent to the appropriate recipients</Step>
  <Step title="Tracking">Acknowledgments are tracked and waybill status is updated</Step>
</Steps>

***

## Related Features

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Haulage Management" icon="handshake" href="/user-docs/arms/haulage">
    Automated haulage bill generation for movement carriers.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Forward & Store" icon="database" href="/user-docs/arms/forward-and-store">
    Railinc-compliant waybill submission with full normalization.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Switch Billing" icon="shuffle" href="/user-docs/arms/switch-billing">
    Terminal switching services billing automation.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Getting Started

<Note>
  EDI messaging is configured through Cedar's workflow automation.⁠​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌⁠ Contact your Cedar implementation team to set up your
  EDI workflows.
</Note>

<Tip>
  For questions about EDI configuration or to enable additional features, contact your Cedar account team or email
  **[support@cedarai.com](mailto:support@cedarai.com)**.
</Tip>


## Related topics

- [Haulage Management](/user-docs/arms/haulage.md)
- [Forward & Store Waybills](/user-docs/arms/forward-and-store.md)
- [Notes](/user-docs/arms/ops/notes.md)
- [Cross-border (Mexico) waybills](/user-docs/api-reference/cross-border-mexico.md)
- [Bulk edit railcar charge history](/api-reference/bulk-edit-railcar-charge-history.md)