The Gateway sends the electronic data (now in ANSI X12 transaction set #840) to one of two DoD Electronic Processing Nodes (ECPN). Like a Gateway, an ECPN is a system of hardware and software that manipulates the electronic data. ECPNs receive the EDI transaction and transfer them to Value-Added Networks that have been certified by the DoD. The processing nodes sort and distribute the electronic data to DoD-certified VANs much like large postal units would for paper documents. VANs are the primary link between the DoD and its trading partners. Move to Stop Sign # 4