Intercompany, computer-to-computer transmission of business information in a standard format. For EDI purists, ‘computer-to-computer’ means direct transmission from the originating application program to the receiving, or processing, application program. An EDI transmission consists only of business data, not any accompanying verbiage or free-form messages. Purists might also contend that a standard format is one that is approved by a national or international standards organization, as opposed to formats developed by industry groups or companies.