MAHLE uses ENGDAT, the European standard for electronic data exchange (EDI) between the automotive industry and their suppliers, developed by ODETTE. ENGDAT is indispensable to MAHLE because of its security, transmission speed, and compatibility.

In addition, automatic data import is supported only in ENGDAT format. Suppliers, who wish to establish a data transmission connecting with MAHLE mustbe able to meet the technichal requirements.

• For successful data transmission using ENGDAT, the guidelines concerning the ENGDAT file name, the ENGDATpackets, and the ENGDAT abstract file must be followed. For further information, please refer to the VDA recommendations.
  
  
• Supported standards:
  VDA 4914/2 OFTP
  VDA 4951 ENGDAT (Engineering Data Message)
  VDA 4951 ENGPART (Engineering Partner Data)
  
  
• CATIA V5 and Pro/ENGINEER assemblies must be packaged using tar or WINZIP.
  
  
• Data compressions: WINZIP or gzip.
  
  
• Data exchange with external partners must take place using ENGDAT via ISDN/ENX-OFTP online connections. Off-line data exchange must be negotiated in advance.