Difference between ALE and EDI ?

ALE is used to support distributed yet integrated processes across several SAP systems whereas
EDI is used for the exchange of business documents between the systems of business partners
(could be non-SAP systems)
ALE is SAP's technology for supporting a distributed environment whereas EDI is a
process used for exchange of business documents which now have been given a standard
format
Both ALE and EDI require data exchange. An Idoc is a data container which is used for data
exchange by both EDI and ALE processes.

What is IDOC?
IDOC is simply a data container used to exchange information between any two processes that
can understand the syntax and semantics of the data.
In simple words , an idoc is like a data file with a specified format What

is EDI ,ALE

and iDOC?
EDI, stands for Electronic Data Interchange, is the electronic exchange of structured business
data between different applications.
EDI Architecture

EDI Architecture consists of 1. EDI-enabled applications :They support the automatic processing of business
transactions.
2. The IDoc interface: This was designed as an open interface. The IDoc interface consists
of IDoc types and function modules that form the interface to the application.
3. The EDI subsystem: This converts the IDoc types into EDI message types and vice
versa. This component of the EDI architecture is not supplied by SAP.
Advantages of EDI process

Reduced data Entry Errors

Reduced Processing cycle time

Availability of data electronic form

Reduced Paper Work

Reduced Cost

Reduced Inventories and Better Planning