Data delivery via sedex
Overview and functional descriptions
1. Introduction
1.1 Who is this manual written for?
This manual is aimed at customers of Swiss Post who wish to use the following services and already use the data exchange function via the sedex platform or wish to process their data exchange via sedex in future:
- DataTransfer incl. or excl. PickPost
- BMB (letters with barcode) via DataTransfer
- Letters with Letter ID
- Electronic COD
- Electronic court document online
- Print data for debt collection documents and daily mail
- Dispatch list (DL) via DataTransfer (incl. system reply and dispatch list delivery note)
- Parcel post easy proof of processing via SFTP
- Withdrawals of debt collection documents
1.2 What is not included in this manual?
The sedex platform enables multiple connection options. The respective sender is responsible for providing a detailed description of the connection options and choosing an option. We do not deal with these here.
1.3 How is this manual structured?
These instructions are intended to help you establish data exchange with Swiss Post via sedex. The solution is outlined and described in chapter 2. Chapter 3 describes the activation process at Swiss Post.
1.4 Abbreviations and terms used
| Abbreviation/term | Description |
|---|---|
| DL | Dispatch list |
| BLN | Electronic COD |
| BMB | Collective term for letters with barcode |
| FoJ | Federal Office of Justice |
| DD | Debt collection documents |
| SFSO | Swiss Federal Statistical Office |
| FOITT | Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication |
| DT or DataTransfer | Name of service for electronic data transmission to Post CH Ltd |
| sedex | secure data exchange: Data exchange platform from the FSO (Federal Statistical Office) for the secure exchange of data; it is operated by the FOITT |
| Physical sedex subscriber | A subscriber registered in the sedex subscriber directory who has a sedex adapter and a certificate |
| Logical sedex subscriber | A subscriber registered in the sedex subscriber directory who does not have his own adapter or certificate, but uses the physical subscriber with others (logical subscribers) |
| VGK | Mailing solution for business customers, creates dispatch lists |
1.5 Reference documents / links
As sedex is a method of data transmission, the following documents are of overriding priority.
| No. | Title/Link |
|---|---|
| [01] | DataTransfer manual and annexes 1–5 (Swiss Post) |
| [02] | DataTransfer Subscriber Conditions (Swiss Post) |
| [03] | DataTransfer registration form / change form (Swiss Post) |
| [04] | www.sedex.chTarget not accessible -> Downloads |
| [05] | Document collection: Technical DataTransfer support |
2. Service description
For Swiss Post, data transmission via sedex is an additional communication channel through which data are both received and sent. Accordingly, Swiss Post is an “active sedex subscriber” with its own “PostMail” domain.
2.1 Data delivery via sedex
eSchKG domain subscribers can exchange data with Swiss Post using the Swiss Confederation’s sedex platform. Swiss Post has two active physical subscribers: one for the production environment and one for the test environment.
2.2 Message types
Swiss Post has had the following message types activated for the sedex domain “PostMail”:
| Description | Message type |
|---|---|
| DT consignment data (letters with barcode/dispatch list) | 4300 |
| DT print input (debt collection document printout) | 4301 |
| DT print daily mail | 4302 |
| DT reports (status messages, delivery notes, reports) | 4330 |
The message types are identical for both environments. There is no provision for csv data delivery, as would usually be possible for DataTransfer.
2.3 Connection types and data transmission
The sedex domain “PostMail” favours connection and data transmission via the physical sedex sub scriber. Logical subscribers
are only permitted under specific conditions laid down by FSO.
A physical sedex subscriber consists of the following components:
- sedex adapter
- security certificate
- sedexID
Swiss Post has two physical sedex subscribers:
- Swiss Post sedexID for production: 7-41-2 For the exchange of productive user data
- Swiss Post sedexID for integration: 7-41-1 For the exchange of test data. Mainly for use during the connection phase and for releases.
2.4 Data transmission
The sender transfers its message to the adapter for dispatch. The in-house application provides the files in the adapter’s outbound directory. The “sender adapter” transfers the message via the sedex server to the “recipient adapter” for further processing in the inbound directory.
Once the transfer from the “sender adapter” to the “sedex server” is complete, the sedex adapter moves the message to the “sent” folder. However, this move does not indicate successful delivery of the message.
If the delivery is successful, a receipt file is issued.
The data content (data*) of the message is encrypted by the sender using the recipient’s public key. The encryption remains in place and unchanged during the entire data transport. The sedex server can only identify information which is contained in the envelope.
2.4.1 Test environment sedexID 7-41-1
The test environment is used to check the basic data exchange function via sedex and the accuracy of the files (with regard to syntax and content). It is thus possible to ensure that the incoming file delivery functions properly and that no incorrect information is fed into the productive environment.
2.4.2 Productive environment sedexID 7-41-2
After a successful test run, the incoming delivery data are exchanged via the productive environment. This environment is usually activated only after successful completion of the integration tests.
3. Registration, changes and support
For activation of a new subscriber to the domain “PostMail”, the following processes apply.
3.1 Activation process / login
The relevant communication is ensured by DataTransfer Support. If required, the domain representative is included in the communication flow.
3.1.1 Activation process / login
This section does not describe every individual step; some steps may be grouped together.
sedex DataTransfer order
The Swiss Post customer advisor helps the customer complete the registration for the service and submits it to DataTransfer Support. Alternatively, the registration can also be submitted directly to DataTransfer Support by the software partner.
Acceptance/activation
The registration is checked by DataTransfer Support and any missing information completed. DataTransfer Support also undertakes the coordination with SFSO and the FOJ, and notifies the customer of confirmation of activation if there is an existing adapter.
DataTransfer Support generally initializes the activation either for existing or new sedex users.
Test delivery files
These steps form the standard procedure for activating a customer. The sedexID 7-41-1 is used as the recipient.
The customer delivers the consignment data in accordance with the schema requirements on the technical home page for DataTransfer [6]. The following requirements also apply to data transmission using sedex [5]:
- Envelope files have the prefix “envl_” and the file type “*.xml”
- Data files have the prefix “data_” and the file type “*.zip” for the ZIP archive
- The data files must contain at least one DataTransfer V2.1, named according to the usual Data Transfer conventions.
The delivery files are checked by DataTransfer Support and confirmed.
As soon as the consignment data is processed, integration tests (posting – processing – bulletin of verification reports) can be carried out. During the integration process, in consultation with DataTransfer Support and Test Support, test consignment data can be entered by Swiss Post in order to test that reports are being returned correctly.
Production release
Once the integration tests have been successfully completed, the production release takes place. The production environment is then used for delivery. From this point on, the sedexID 7-41-2 is used as the recipient.
3.2 Certificate extension
Renewal of the certificate is initialised by FSO and executed and concluded by DataTransfer Support. Correspondingly, communication is ensured by DataTransfer Support. If required, the domain representative is included in the communication flow.
3.3 Support
Customer and Operational Support
Post CH Ltd
3030 Berne
Switzerland
DataTransfer Support
Tel.: +41 0848 789 789
E-mail: datatransfer@swisspost.ch
Domain Manager of sedex domain “PostMail”
Reto Niederberger
Application Manager for DataTransfer
Tel.: +41 79 593 35 43
E-mail: reto.niederberger@swisspost.ch
Technical Manager for sedex domain “PostMail”
Markus Schürch
Tel.: +41 79 402 03 66
E-mail: markus.schuerch@swisspost.ch
4. Generation of DataTransfer waybill
If customers wish to generate the DataTransfer waybills themselves, the following conditions apply:
- The barcode is transferred in the <DeliveryNoteRef> attribute of the delivery version XML 2.2, see [6]
- The structure of the barcode meets the requirements of Swiss Post
- 9893. Default value. Byte 1–4
- 901020. Customer franking license. Byte 5–10
- 12345678 Unique, sequential, customer-specific number. Byte 11–18
5. Release Notes
5.1 Release Notes
- 1.1 Naming conventions for reports added (Sec. 1.2)
- 1.2 Message type updated (Sec. 2.1)
- 1.3 Various adaptations (Various sections)
- Implementation on microsite