EDI Implementations

We have the ability to fully implement your EDI objectives.

EDI is a significant investment and developing the correct strategy for your unique business requirements will pay dividends as the solution evolves over time. For many organizations, the greatest EDI development task is integrating middleware systems with existing internal applications. Data required by trading partners and EDI standards must be “mapped”, so that it matches data formats that are easily integrated with existing systems.

We have the ability to fully implement your EDI objectives, for example:
  • We will work with your trading partners to understand all the details related to the transaction sets that you will exchange with them
  • We will generate implementation guides that document data requirements for you to share with your trading partners, if applicable
  • We will design and document the necessary maps that will be utilized to successfully implement your trading partner community
  • Using your mapping tools, we will develop and test the maps necessary to exchange EDI transactions with your trading partner(s) in a cost-effective and timely manner
  • We will collaborate with your trading partners to test and fully implement all maps

After procuring the appropriate hardware, software, and/or services to support your EDI solution, our role is to transition requirements into reality in a cost-effective, timely manner. We are fully knowledgeable of EDI standards, application systems, and communication protocols.

Basic tasks to be performed include:
  • EDI integration with in-house (e.g. ERP) systems, which includes extracting and loading transformed data
  • Creating trading partner-compliant EDI documents by mapping your application data to the agreed EDI standards’ segments and elements
  • Generating applicable envelope and other data that is necessary to match your partners’ and applicable standards’ requirements
  • Installing and configuring applicable communication software, to enable the seamless exchange of agreed business transactions in a secure, timely manner

Each of the aforementioned processes can become complex, particularly when your trading partner community (including customers, vendors, financial institutions, carriers, etc.) is substantial, each with their own specific requirements. This is why experienced resources that have been involved in a plethora of implementations are beneficial, so that they can recommend the most straightforward, cost-effective, yet robust path forward.

Although each situation is unique, integration commonly consists of three key activities:
  • Analysis of applicable data requirements, including the trading partner community’s unique needs as well as those of applicable internal business systems
  • Map development and testing via the chosen middleware application, service provider, etc.
  • Development of any custom interface processes and/or user exits, in support of internal applications

EDI Integration can involve benefits in addition to traditional gains such as cost reduction, shorter timelines, and error reduction and often highlights opportunities to re-engineer some business processes in order to realize additional benefits.