What Caterpillar expects in the 856
Caterpillar trades on X12 4010 over AS2. Beyond the base standard, watch these:
How EDISQ maps it
The certified Caterpillar 856 map loads when you enable the partner — fields auto-map from NetSuite, QuickBooks, Dynamics, and 33 other systems, validation runs against Caterpillar's spec before transmission, and the sandbox replays Caterpillar test scenarios until everything passes.
Common rejection reasons
Nearly all 856 rejections trace to reference data, not syntax: identifiers that don't match Caterpillar's cross-references, echoed fields dropped from the original PO, or timing that misses the program window. EDISQ flags each before Caterpillar ever sees the document.
Sample Caterpillar 856
A representative 856 interchange addressed to Caterpillar — envelope, shipment→order→pack→item hierarchy, and control totals:
1ISA*00* *00* *ZZ*ACMESUPPLY *ZZ*CATERPILLAR *260101*1200*U*00401*000000001*0*P*>~ 2GS*SH*ACMESUPPLY*CATERPILLAR*20260101*1200*1*X*004010~ 3ST*856*0001~ 4BSN*00*SHIP0001*20260101*1200*0001~ 5HL*1**S~ 6TD1*CTN25*3****G*180*LB~ 7TD5*B*2*UPSN*M~ 8REF*BM*BOL000123~ 9DTM*011*20260105~ 10N1*ST*CATERPILLAR DC 5093*92*5093~ 11HL*2*1*O~ 12PRF*PO12345~ 13HL*3*2*P~ 14MAN*GM*00000123450000000017~ 15HL*4*3*I~ 16LIN**UP*012345678905~ 17SN1**24*EA~ 18CTT*4~ 19SE*17*0001~ 20GE*1*1~ 21IEA*1*000000001~
FAQ
Which 856 version does Caterpillar use?
X12 4010, delivered over AS2. The certified map tracks Caterpillar's current companion guide.
How do I test a Caterpillar 856?
The sandbox generates realistic Caterpillar 856 scenarios against your live mapping — free, unlimited, invisible to Caterpillar.
What does it cost?
Per document only: first 25/month free, then from $0.50, decreasing with volume. No partner or mapping fees.