3 questions to ask when considering an EDI solution (from a retail IT perspective)

by | Aug 8, 2019 | Experts, Retailers

The number of new system integration platforms in the retail IT marketplace keeps growing. Despite each system’s unique purposes, they all seem to promise the same thing: a transformation in the way they deliver product support and information to their customers.

This often means spending excessive amounts of money in an attempt to integrate dispersed IT business systems to support omnichannel ambitions, or alternatively, integrating systems that don’t play well with existing EDI systems or legacy systems of record.

Ultimately, what results is a software solution that doesn’t scale with the user’s supply chain workflows or their customers.

EDI services aren’t always an “apples-to-apples” comparison

One EDI solution might be able to handle larger order volume spikes better than another. Some solutions may be able to process a wider variety of EDI documents, while others are more limited in their transaction capabilities.

Ensuring that your current EDI system allows you to offload many operational and technical details that are part of managing an EDI function, and support your business for years to come, is critical.

When evaluating your EDI options, here are some questions to ask potential providers.

Is EDI a core competency within your IT team?

If EDI is not a core competency, consider working with a full-service EDI provider that helps you achieve system integration through EDI to get all of your processes working together and exchanging data––bypassing manual transfer from one system to another.

Full-service EDI providers act as your retail information technology team, optimizing and operating the technology on your behalf.

In short, this means streamlining your entire retail IT operation by pulling in and automatically sharing EDI data between any business system you currently have in place, e.g. ERP, IMS/OMS, WMS, or other without the need for manually reentering data.

Does your EDI solution integrate with any system?

Is your data transfer automatic and in real-time, every time? With a full-service EDI solution, you can integrate with all your related business systems. This enables you to quickly and easily share information, identify trends, and lower operational costs associated with having separate data silos.

This assures that whenever you look up information in your EDI solution, it’s accurate and up-to-date––freeing up you and your team to focus on more critical workstreams. 

Do you get a continuum of support with your present solution?

A full-service provider has expertise in the business processes and rules of your trading partners and directs changes from them on your behalf, including but not limited to:

  • End-to-end solution design and implementation
  • Trading partner setup and testing
  • Proactive monitoring and analysis

Design and configuration also fall under the umbrella of full-service EDI support. It is essential that your solution is designed based on your unique requirements and the requirements of your trading partners.

If there are issues or disputes with your EDI connectivity, a full-service provider also takes on all aspects of trading partner communication. This includes managing connectivity, setup, requirements and support efforts on your behalf.

Take back your time for more ambitious IT priorities

When you’re not on the hook for managing your company’s EDI solution, you can focus your time on tasks such as getting orders out the door, reviewing end-to-end data exchange, and error management. A full-service solution provides all of that, plus ongoing real-time expert support and training resources.

Review what systems you have, what capabilities you need, then evaluate against the available providers using the above criteria. If you are unhappy with your existing EDI setup, consider consolidating EDI services with a provider and solution that work to understand your business and take tasks off your plate.

SPS Commerce can help you achieve successful integration with all the business systems you work with and take on the work of EDI on your behalf. Our pre-built solutions integrate with more than 100 accounting, ERP, WMS and TMS systems.

It’s easy to add more EDI connections as your business grows

If you utilize a different retail IT EDI software provider that’s not on the list, we’ll build it for you, so you can integrate with any other software packages needed to run your operation.

If you’re considering consolidating or updating your EDI services, consider SPS Commerce to handle all of your EDI needs. Download our Full-Service EDI White Paper or Contact an SPS Representative.

Evaluating Your EDI options: 7 Building Blocks of Full-Service EDI

Get insights on choosing the right EDI solution for your business and the seven components vital for truly full-service EDI.

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3 questions to ask when considering an EDI solution (from a retail IT perspective)

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