Canonical guidelines

Canonical is TraceLink’s standardized internal data format that normalizes and structures information across systems. It is intentionally system‑agnostic and functionally neutral, meaning it does not depend on any specific device, ERP, partner system, or application logic.

In the TraceLink network, companies use many different technologies such as SAP, Oracle, serialization systems, WMS platforms, regulatory tools, custom-built systems, and exchange data in formats like EPCIS, XML, CSV, JSON, or proprietary standards. Even when referring to the same business concepts (such as products, shipments, serial numbers, or transactions), each system represents the data differently.

The Canonical Data Model serves as a universal translation layer. It standardizes incoming data into a common format within TraceLink and then translates it into each partner’s required format for outbound exchange. This allows all partners to communicate seamlessly without changing their internal systems, enabling scalable, many‑to‑many interoperability across the network.

The following transaction canonical guidelines are available. For detailed information about the canonical structure and mapping guidelines, see .Canonical Guidelines.

Available canonicals

Transaction name	Description
Advanced ship notice canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Application advice canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Article master canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Batch creation canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, and X12 canonical mapping guidelines.
Carrier shipment status canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Certificate of analysis canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Credit debit adjustment canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
CSOS validated purchase order canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Customs events advisory details canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Customs status information canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
E222 purchase order canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Forecast plan canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Forecast plan response canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Grocery products purchase order canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Grocery products invoice canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Handling movement instructions canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Inventory balance canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Inventory update canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Inventory update request canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Inventory update confirmation canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Invoice canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Motor carrier bills of lading canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Motor carrier load tender canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Load tender response canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Ocean bill of lading canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Ocean shipment booking request canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Ocean shipment booking confirmation canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Ocean shipment status canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Ocean shipment arrival notice canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Order status report canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Organizational relationship canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Planned order canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Price authorization acknowledgment canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Price sales catalog canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Process order canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Product transfer account adjustment request canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Product transfer account adjustment response canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Product activities canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Purchase order canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Purchase order acknowledgment canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Purchase order change requests canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Receiving advice acceptances canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Remittance advice canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Return authorization canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Routing carrier instructions canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Shipment canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Shipping instruction canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Text message canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Warehouse shipping order canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Warehouse shipping advice canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Warehouse stock transfer ship advice canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.
Warehouse stock transfer receipt advice canonical guidelines	View the IDoc, X12 and EDIFACT canonical mapping guidelines.