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Bots EDI
What it is
Bots EDI is open-source software for translating and routing EDI files between organizations that exchange electronic business documents. Founded in 2007, it handles formats such as EDIFACT, X12, XML, JSON, SAP IDoc, CSV, and fixed-width files. Translation mappings are written as Python scripts, and a web interface lets teams configure and supervise routing and translation. Built-in functional acknowledgments include CONTRL and 997. Connections include file transfer, email protocols, HTTP(S), XML-RPC, and direct database access; Bots can also work with external AS2 servers and VANs. Bots-monitor displays incoming and outgoing flows, documents, file contents, and acknowledgments, and can email users about errors. The interface defines viewer, staff, and superuser rights, and can use HTTP or HTTPS/SSL. Bots is free under the GNU General Public License version 3. The active Bots NG fork runs with Python 3.10+ and Django 5/6; the legacy Bots Frozen 3.2.0 requires Python 2.7. Production guidance calls for restricting user rights and using HTTPS/SSL when monitoring from outside a local network.
For and against
For
- Supports EDIFACT, X12, XML, JSON, CSV, and fixed-width files.
- Mappings use Python scripts.
- Web interface configures and supervises document routing.
- Bots-monitor displays flows and can email error notices.
- Free and open source under GNU GPL version 3.
Against
- Bots Frozen 3.2.0 requires Python 2.7.
- Installation uses Python; no specific Windows installer or Unix package.
- Production guidance calls for HTTPS/SSL outside a local network.
The verdict
Bots EDI combines format translation, routing, acknowledgments, and monitoring for electronic business documents. The active Bots NG branch uses newer Python and Django requirements, while the legacy Frozen branch has older dependencies.
Who it suits
Bots EDI suits small businesses and larger organizations that exchange EDI documents across supported standards and systems. Teams should be prepared to work through partner requirements, communication methods, and ERP imports and exports.
On the record
- Access controls
- The feature list describes viewer, staff, and superuser rights and says the interface can use HTTP or HTTPS/SSL.bots-edi.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Acknowledgments
- Bots has built-in EDIFACT/X12 functional acknowledgments and confirmations, including CONTRL and 997.bots-edi.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The site says Bots is used by both small businesses and global corporations, translating thousands of electronic documents daily.bots-edi.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Communications
- Built-in communication options include FTP/SFTP/FTPS, email protocols, HTTP(S), files, XML-RPC, and direct database access; it can also integrate with external AS2 servers and VANs.bots-edi.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Current development version
- The site identifies Bots NG 4.0.0 as an active fork and says it runs with Python 3.10+ and Django 5/6.bots-edi.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Data formats
- It supports formats including EDIFACT, X12, XML, JSON, SAP IDoc, CSV, and fixed-width files.bots-edi.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Bots runs on Windows, Linux, OSX and other Unix variants; the installation documentation says installation is done with Python and there is no specific Windows installer or Unix distribution package.bots.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Deployment security
- For production deployments, the documentation advises limiting user rights and using HTTPS/SSL when Bots-monitor is accessed outside a local network.bots.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Getting started
- The documentation notes that getting started with EDI involves learning standards, partner requirements, communication methods, ERP imports and exports, and the software itself.bots.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The feature list names VAN connections including X400, IPMail, Sterling Commerce, Inovis, GXS, and InterCommit; it says AS2 is not direct but notes successful implementations using an external module.bots-edi.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Legacy version limit
- The site says Bots Frozen 3.2.0 is the last version published by the original developer, with its last changes in 2014, and requires Python 2.7 and older component versions.bots-edi.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The documentation states that Bots is licensed under GNU General Public License Version 3.bots.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Mapping
- Data translation mappings are written as Python scripts.bots-edi.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Monitoring
- Bots-monitor can show incoming and outgoing EDI flows, business documents, file contents, and acknowledgments, and can notify users by email when errors occur.bots-edi.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Bots is open-source software for translating and routing EDI files, used by companies exchanging large numbers of electronic business documents.bots-edi.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Scaling
- The site says Bots can run hundreds of thousands of EDI messages per month; its features page says it runs over 150K EDI files per month easily.bots-edi.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Security
- The features page says the interface can be used over HTTP or HTTPS/SSL and lists different user rights for viewers, staff and superusers.bots-edi.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site points Bots NG users to a discussion group on Discord and lists commercial support from Ludovic Watteaux.bots-edi.org · read 9 Oct 2026
