Similarities between XML and EDI structure XML and EDI documents have some similarities. An EDI document starts with envelope which is ISA, similar to that XML document also starts with root element. Envelope EDI ISA*... GS*... ST*... ... ... ... SE*.... GE*... IEA*... In the EDI document, the very first segment is Interchange . Each EDI document starts with ISA and ends with IEA. Interchange contains Group envelope. Group envelope start with GS and ends with GE. Group contains Transaction set. XML <order> <item> ... ... ...