Conquering Common EDI Challenges: Streamlining Data Exchange When Issues Arise

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) can be a game-changer for businesses, streamlining processes, improving connectivity between trading partners, and boosting overall efficiency. While EDI has many benefits, it can also be complex, especially when companies are just getting started or lack the expertise needed to fully benefit from EDI. Limited staff, integration issues, and navigating the onboarding process can leave businesses feeling overwhelmed. Whether you need full to partial EDI outsourcing, in this post, we’ll discuss common challenges and provide tips to help your EDI program run smoothly.

Challenge #1: Limited Staff and Resources

Tackling an EDI initiative with a small team can feel overwhelming, especially if the team lacks EDI expertise. Here's how to free up internal resources so you can focus on what you do best while still managing to benefit from EDI automation. Consider these options:

• Find a trusted EDI provider - At Edict Systems, we do EDI so you don’t have to, meaning we make doing EDI easy and less expensive. Whether you’re trying to become EDI compliant, want to outsource a portion or all of your EDI program, or need to meet requirements of an EDI mandate, we have solutions that meet the needs of small and large buying organizations and suppliers.
• Cloud-Based EDI solutions - Cloud-based EDI solutions eliminate the need for expensive hardware and software setup and maintenance. Cloud-based solutions take care of managing infrastructure and updates, reducing the burden on businesses by removing complexities from the EDI process.
• Managed EDI Services - Services like ManagedEC, Edict Systems' fully outsourced EDI solution, combine cloud-based EDI connectivity, project management, technical expertise, and a dedicated EDI Coordinator to lower costs and increase efficiencies. Our EDI experts handle the day-to-day operations of EDI so companies can focus on other business initiatives.
  

Challenge #2: You Need Help from EDI Experts

Even with an EDI solution in place, there may be issues along the way. Here’s how to work through any knowledge gaps:

• Most EDI providers offer support options. At Edict Systems, our customer support team, supporting over 88,000 trading relationships, offers live support from our US-based call center from 8AM to 8PM Eastern. Best of all, we resolve most cases while on the phone or by the end of the same business day.
• Training and assistance - Some providers offer comprehensive training programs that equip your team with the knowledge to navigate the EDI system confidently. Other EDI partners may offer to cover full outreach and communication with suppliers or other trading partners as part of their services. At Edict Systems, our experts manage all communication with suppliers from initial communications and EDI-enabling to ongoing support.
• Technical Support - Reliable technical support is crucial for troubleshooting any issues you may face when implementing or maintaining an EDI program. Ensure your EDI provider offers full service and assistance if you lack internal EDI expertise. At Edict Systems, we’re proud of our outstanding customer support team that offers technical support throughout the entire customer journey. We answer the phone in under 17 seconds, 99% of the time and resolve most issues during the same business day. Our annual customer satisfaction survey consistently returns a customer satisfaction rating of 90% or higher.

Challenge #3: Incorporating EDI into an Existing Business System

Integrating EDI with your existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (also known as a business, accounting, or inventory system) is a key component of achieving a streamlined supply chain. Edict Systems and other EDI providers offer integrated EDI solutions that connect directly with an existing system so you can avoid disruption within day-to-day business operations. 

Edict Systems’ Cloud-based Data Mapping solution enables integration with any existing business system regardless of system or EDI format. Data is mapped to your system specifications and delivered securely to trading partners. Additionally, Cloud-based Data Mapping eliminates the need for in-house translation software, lowers costs, and reduces the mapping, integration, and implementation time for new or change documents. Cloud-based Data Mapping helps free up resources so they can be used for other initiatives. 

Challenge #4: Onboarding New Trading Partners Feels Daunting

Expanding your trading network by onboarding new trading partners can be a challenging task. Supplier onboarding programs help businesses save the time and valuable resources required to help trading partners become EDI compliant and maximize an EDI investment. At Edict Systems, our customizable onboarding programs help businesses of all sizes maximize the number of EDI trading partners while freeing up resources. Our experts manage all communication with suppliers from initial communications and EDI-enabling to ongoing support. By offering project management and coordination, real-time reporting and insights, and ongoing support, our onboarding programs help buyers streamline their supply chain EDI operations.

Challenge 5: Managing Requirements for Multiple Partners 

One of the biggest challenges in EDI is keeping up with the varying requirements of each trading partner. Requirements can differ by partner due to system type, industry, the type of EDI standards used (e.g. X12, EDIFACT), communication protocols (e.g. AS2, FTP), data formats (e.g. CSV, XML), and other factors. Edict Systems and other EDI providers offer a variety of solutions to help manage requirements for each trading partner and their systems. These solutions make it easy to maintain multiple partners and their requirements from a single place. 

Edict Systems’ B2B Trading Network offers one secure connection for all EDI trading partner communications instead of maintaining and managing multiple methods. Our services support multiple communication protocols, adhere to X12 standards, and remain current with industry changes through relevant partnerships and associations. We help buyers and suppliers simplify trading community connectivity while reducing costs associated with licensing and maintaining in-house systems. Optional services like our Cloud-based Data Mapping solution make it easy to replace in-house data translation software and handle all data mapping for each trading partner in your network, making sure your internal systems accept and meet your partners’ specific formats. 

By implementing these strategies, you can overcome common EDI challenges and unlock the full potential of this powerful technology. Remember, EDI doesn't have to be a burden. With the right approach and support, you can streamline your business processes, improve data accuracy, and gain a competitive edge.

We do EDI so you don't have to®. 

If you’re ready to take advantage of the value EDI can add to your business, contact the EDI experts at Edict Systems. We’ll assess your business needs and tailor a solution that’s right for you.