CTX-EDI

ACH Universal > CTX-EDI

What is CTX?

CTX, or Corporate Trade Exchange, is a Standard Entry Class code that can contain multiple addenda records which provide additional information on each transaction (also called remittance information, such as invoice numbering).

What is EDI?

EDI, or Electronic Data Interchange, is a set of standards governing the structure of electronically-transferred information.  EDI provides the engine that structures the transmission of CTX transactions.  EDI is standardized under ANSI ASC X12.  There are multiple transaction sets available under EDI, the most commonly used through ACH Universal being the EPN-STP 820 set.

Why use CTX?

The common SEC Codes, such as PPD and CCD, provide specific transaction information.  However, they both lack the ability to use an addenda record.  An addenda is an extension to a transaction entry that provides additional information about the nature of the transaction, mos commonly remittance information.  One common example is an invoice number. PPD+ and CCD+ add the ability to use an addenda record, but you are limited to at most one addenda record per transaction and a maximum length of 80 characters.  If your organization wanted to make one payment for multiple invoices and provide remittance information, there is no way to do so using a non-CTX SEC Code.

 
CTX has a limit on the number of addenda records, 9999 per entry, but it is so high as to be almost unapproachable in practice.  In addition, CTX specifically defines the structure of the addenda records into segments.  This provides ease of processing as well as flexibility in making your payments.

Using CTX in ACH Universal

The same processes used in ACH Universal for other SEC Codes are used to create and transmit CTX files.  However, CTX has a few added requirements that other codes are not subject to.

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