Setting up an EDI integration with your trading partners can seem like a daunting task, but choosing the right cloud-based EDI solution and integration partner can simplify the process.
Simply put, EDI integration is the process of establishing an EDI workflow between trading partners. It has multiple steps and requires you to make several decisions, such as determining which trading partners you will be exchanging data with and which EDI standards, protocols, documents, transactions, and endpoints will be involved. Once these elements are determined, it’s time to choose a system that’s best suited to your needs, whether you set it up in-house or opt to use an external specialist to implement and manage an EDI platform for you.
EDI integration involves several steps. Here’s a quick look at the main ones and how choosing the right solution can help you tick them off your to-do list with ease.
To make your EDI integration easier, be sure to choose a solution that’s already connected to many trading partners. That way, you don’t need to take on the cumbersome task of writing code to meet their requirements. Instead, your EDI partner will have done the heavy lifting, and you can connect to their platform and get started.
Before selecting an EDI partner, ensure they provide standard ERP integration with the most common ERP systems and accounting applications. This step will save you the burden of understanding the nitty-gritty details about how your system manages its data.
You will need to decide what activities should trigger an EDI transaction. When shopping around for an EDI vendor, make sure their platform makes this step as painless as possible for you, ensuring that you don’t have to write code to make it happen.
Choosing a cloud-based EDI solution will make this step a lot easier. With the right solution, you should quickly extract and exchange contact information, financial information, and other vital data with your trading partners.
EDI mapping involves translating EDI data into other formats so that messages can be turned into digital documents that you can use with your ERP system and other applications. The right cloud-based EDI solution will automatically map data to the EDI format you need.
You will need to notify your trading partners that you’ll be testing your EDI system by sending out transmissions. Ideally, you would use an application programming interface (API) to ensure your data is valid before exchanging it with a trading partner. Some EDI solutions let you do this.
After you’ve notified your trading partners, you can begin testing. Ideally, your EDI platform will let you conduct your testing at your convenience. This way, you can determine if you’re meeting your partners’ requirements and get instant feedback on whether or not your test was successful.
Once you’ve set up and successfully tested your EDI integration, it’s time to go live. With the right cloud-based EDI solution, this can happen whenever you’re ready, set, go!
Contact InterTrade today to find out how its cloud-based EDI solution can streamline your EDI integration process and let you get trading with your business partners right away.
GS1 Connect 2022 is right around the corner! Brands and thought leaders from around the globe will gather to share supply chain best practices and exchange ideas on how to stay ahead of consumer expectations, optimize business efficiency, and enable end-to-end supply chain visibility.
We’re delighted to announce that Intertrade will be a Premier Sponsor at GS1 Connect 2022! Hosted by GS1 US, the conference and exhibition will bring together leaders from globally recognized brands to share supply chain best practices and strategies for optimizing your business.
The year 2021 saw the return of in-person shoppers to brick-and-mortar stores across North America at pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, the sharp rise in online shopping due to the pandemic has not lessened. These two seemingly conflicting trends are both due to omnichannel shopping.
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