Trading partner communication sets the stage for positive EDI relationships
Communication with your trading partners can make or break your EDI initiatives. Good communication sets the stage for positive, collaborative trading relationships whereas poor communication can lead to chargebacks, unsatisfactory scorecard performance and damaged relationships.
Communications are an often overlooked aspect of EDI
When evaluating EDI providers, many companies don’t recognize the importance of trading partner communication and instead focus on only the technical aspects of EDI compliance. Because EDI involves data exchange between two or more companies, communication is always part of establishing and maintaining electronic trading relationships.
That’s why it’s important to understand what types of communication your EDI provider will handle and what you will have to manage in-house. For example, how will your provider communicate with trading partners regarding EDI requirements and requirement changes? Who will pick up the phone and resolve EDI issues when they occur? Is that something that your EDI provider includes as part of their service?
What communications tasks should your EDI provider handle on your behalf?
If EDI is not a core competency of your business, trading partner communications are something you will most likely want to outsource to a third-party provider. A full-service EDI provider will take ownership of these time-consuming and sometimes sensitive communications tasks, which require technical expertise as well as diplomacy. They communicate directly with your trading partners to manage connectivity, setup, requirements, updates and support efforts on your behalf.
Learn more about what trading partner communications capabilities to look for in our complimentary white paper: Evaluating Your EDI Options: Seven Building Blocks of Full-Service EDI.
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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