You Just Received an EDI Mandate From a Customer. Here’s What You Should Know.

 

What is Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the electronic exchange of business document data in a standardized format between trading partners. Instead of sending documents, like purchase orders (POs) and invoices, in a fax or email, a business sends this data via EDI. This data is then translated into a human readable format using a dedicated program or tool. EDI can significantly enhance efficiency, accuracy, and speed, making it a vital component of a business strategy for both buying organizations and suppliers.

Why are you required to do EDI?

EDI replaces paper-based document exchange and provides many advantages including reducing errors, eliminating lost paperwork, speeding the transfer of business documents, and reducing the number of chargebacks. Your customer currently does EDI with many or all of their suppliers, and by doing EDI, you give your customers better visibility into their supply chain. Other reasons you may be required to do EDI include reducing the cost of manually processing EDI documents, creating cost savings for materials and resources, reducing the need for manual data entry, or introducing more environmentally friendly business practices.

Is EDI Difficult to Learn?

EDI is complex and can be challenging to implement. Many suppliers, especially those just getting started with EDI, may struggle to find enough resources to dedicate to implementing EDI. One way to combat resource issues is to partner with an EDI service provider like Edict Systems. Outsourcing your EDI needs removes some of the burden of managing in-house EDI operations. EDI service providers have options for managing EDI, whether you need to do EDI with one or hundreds of customers. Solutions like WebEDI, Edict Systems’ web-based EDI subscription service makes connecting and doing EDI with your customers easy. You can start doing EDI within days with many of our supported buying organizations.

Thousands of suppliers actively use WebEDI for their EDI needs because it is designed to be easy-to-use, user friendly, and easily accessible. This easy-to-use solution processes incoming and outgoing transactions making it easy for suppliers to sell to their valued customers or comply with EDI mandates. We provide detailed documentation, guidance within WebEDI’s data entry fields, and demonstration videos to help you quickly learn how to process your orders and return documents. 

 If you ever have issues or questions, our dedicated customer support team is available to walk you through it. 

How do you get started with EDI?

Depending on your needs, there are multiple options available to comply with an EDI mandate. Edict Systems offers both a web-based EDI solution and services that integrate directly with an existing business, accounting, or inventory system. Solutions like Edict Systems’ WebEDI, allow businesses to import PO data into an order management system and send an EDI invoice back to their customer. To be compatible with your system, data from POs will need to be mapped (or translated) to guarantee they meet system requirements. We currently integrate EDI with any existing business system including SAP, Oracle PeopleSoft, Oracle JD Edwards, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, Infor, Epicor, Sage, and QuickBooks. 

For businesses interested in integrating with QuickBooks, this integration provides an efficient way to load customer orders directly into QuickBooks Sales Orders and send invoices to EDI customers. Integration will also keep transactions, customer information, items, and terms synchronized between WebEDI and QuickBooks. 


 

At Edict Systems, We do EDI so you don't have to®

Edict Systems connects thousands of suppliers to their customers, streamlines their order and billing processes, and outsources their EDI operations. With solutions designed to help suppliers of all sizes meet the needs of their customers, we help businesses eliminate the need for manual data entry, focus resources on core business needs, and remove complexities from the EDI process. When you’re ready to get started, learn exactly what solutions we can offer your business, contact our EDI experts. 

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