Electronic Ordering Overview
If your library has acquired Electronic Ordering, you can send orders electronically to vendors who are equipped to receive them. The system can send orders in either the BISAC or EDIFACT formats, as required by each vendor. BISAC orders are sent using an electronic mail interchange. EDIFACT orders are sent via FTS.
When you send orders electronically, the system places the orders in separate files in the BISAC or EDIFACT formats, as appropriate for each vendor. You can review the orders before transmitting them electronically. Orders can be sent to a single vendor or to all vendors at once.
For further information on Electronic Ordering, see the following:
- ISBNs in Electronic Ordering
- Preparing for Electronic Ordering
- Data Sent in Electronic Orders
- Sending Electronic Orders
ISBNs in Electronic Ordering
Sierra handles ISBNs differently for BISAC and EDIFACT electronic ordering. The BISAC format supports 10-digit ISBNs only, and does not support the newer 13-digit ISBN standard. Any 13-digit ISBNs used during BISAC ordering are truncated to ten digits when the order is transmitted to the vendor.
The EDIFACT format supports the transmission of both 10- and 13-digit ISBNs to vendors. During the creation of EDIFACT orders, Sierra puts both a 10- and 13-digit version of the ISBN in separate segments of the order. For example, if the record has only a 10-digit ISBN, Sierra stores it in one segment, and then creates a 13-digit ISBN by appending '978' to the beginning of the existing ISBN and re-calculates the check-digit. This 13-digit ISBN is subsequently stored in a separate segment of the EDIFACT order. Likewise, the system can convert 13-digit ISBN to a 10-digit one by removing the '978' prefix, and then puts both versions in the outgoing order. If the ISBN starts with the '979' prefix, the system includes only the 13-digit form of this ISBN as there is no 10-digit equivalent.
By sending both a 10- and 13-digit version of the ISBN, Sierra ensures that all EDIFACT-capable vendors can interpret the order during the transition period to the new 13-digit ISBN standard.