Consolidating EDI Vendors: A Smart Move for Navigating Tariffs 

As global economic pressures mount—from shifting trade regulations to supply chain disruptions and rising costs—businesses are being forced to reevaluate their operations. A critical area under the spotlight is the technology infrastructure supporting supply chain connectivity, especially Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems. 

Many global companies have found themselves working with multiple EDI vendors, often because of regional requirements, legacy system integrations, or customer-specific mandates. While this multi-vendor approach may have worked in the past, it now presents significant operational and financial challenges.  

With operational costs increasing due to fluctuating tariff policies, agility and cost-efficiency are now more important than ever. Consolidating EDI vendors is a powerful strategy for businesses looking to gain control, reduce expenses, and improve their resilience. 

The Reality of Multi-Vendor EDI Environments 

Using multiple EDI vendors is common among multinational enterprises, especially those with complex supplier and customer networks. In some cases, regional requirements like PEPPOL compliance in Europe or VAN (Value-Added Network) preferences in North America may have prompted the use of different providers. In other cases, acquisitions have brought disparate systems under the same corporate umbrella. Additionally, certain large trading partners mandate specific EDI networks, leaving companies little choice but to onboard multiple solutions. 

Over time, however, this patchwork approach becomes increasingly difficult to manage. The challenges include:

• Higher IT and administrative costs: Multiple vendors mean multiple contracts, support teams, training requirements, and integration points. 

• Inconsistent processes and data flows: Differing formats and platforms can create inconsistencies in transaction handling, leading to errors and delays. 

• Fragmented visibility: With data spread across several systems, it’s hard to get a unified view of transactions, performance metrics, or potential disruptions. 

These issues create friction across the supply chain, costing time, money, and customer satisfaction. As businesses face growing uncertainty, from new tariff policies to economic slowdowns, these inefficiencies become increasingly unsustainable.

Why Consolidation Makes Sense with New Tariffs

With new tariff policies that change weekly, if not daily, supply chain companies worldwide are trying to take proactive steps to diversify, analyze costs, optimize inventory, and leverage technology to position themselves for success and remain profitable.  

Consolidating EDI vendors into a unified solution offers a clear path to stronger performance and improved cost control. Here’s how EDI vendor consolidation can streamline processes, enhance visibility, and scale more effectively: 

1. Reduce Operational Costs 

Vendor consolidation immediately reduces the overhead associated with maintaining multiple platforms. Businesses benefit from: 

• Lower licensing and service fees by eliminating redundant vendors 

• Fewer integration points, which reduces system complexity and ongoing IT maintenance 

• Streamlined support with a single point of contact for troubleshooting and account management 

• Volume-based pricing advantages, as more transactions are routed through a single provider 

These savings can be substantial, especially for companies processing high volumes of EDI transactions across a vast network of trading partners. 

2. Enhance Efficiency and Speed 

A unified EDI platform standardizes processes, allowing businesses to: 

• Onboard new trading partners faster using reusable templates and workflows 

• Reduce errors and delays by eliminating format mismatches or system handoffs 

• Automate exception handling and alerts, so issues are caught and resolved more quickly 

This increased efficiency is especially valuable when dealing with volatile demand, tight delivery windows, or new sourcing strategies. 

3. Improve Visibility and Control 

Modern EDI platforms offer dashboards, analytics, and reporting tools that enable real-time visibility into transaction status, partner performance, and overall supply chain health. With a consolidated system, companies can: 

• Monitor all trading relationships from a single platform 

• Identify bottlenecks or anomalies quickly 

• Make faster, data-driven decisions when responding to disruptions 

This kind of centralized control becomes critical during periods of change, such as when tariffs affect supplier costs or delivery timelines. 

4. Support Compliance and Global Expansion 

Navigating international trade regulations, such as e-invoicing mandates or region-specific data formats, can be a significant burden when using multiple providers. A consolidated EDI provider with global reach can: 

• Ensure compliance with regional regulations like PEPPOL, CTC, GDPR, or LATAM e-invoicing rules 

• Standardize document formats and processes across all regions 

• Scale operations seamlessly into new markets without onboarding new technology partners 

This scalability is essential for businesses seeking to grow or diversify their supplier base in response to new tariffs or trade routes. 

Building Resilience in Uncertain Times 

As governments introduce new tariffs and regulatory changes, many companies are forced to rethink their sourcing strategies and supplier relationships. The ability to pivot quickly—whether by shifting production to another region or onboarding a new supplier—is essential. A fragmented EDI landscape slows that process down and increases risk. 

Consolidation, by contrast, gives companies the tools and agility to respond more effectively. With a single EDI platform in place, they can: 

• Rapidly update pricing or shipping rules in response to tariffs 

• Communicate with suppliers in real time about changes to orders or documentation 

• Onboard alternative suppliers or logistics providers without lengthy IT involvement 

This kind of responsiveness doesn’t just save money, it builds competitive advantage.  

Real-World Results from a TrueCommerce Customer 

A compelling example of the value of EDI vendor consolidation is the case of Farmers Union Industries, an agricultural business that previously managed multiple unreliable EDI vendors with no integration into their ERP system. This fragmented setup resulted in high costs, frequent order errors, and a heavy reliance on internal IT support. 

By partnering with TrueCommerce, Farmers Union Industries transformed their EDI operations into a unified, automated system. The new platform eliminated manual work, reduced the incidence of ‘stuck’ orders, and empowered business users to resolve issues independently—without needing IT intervention. 

The financial impact was equally significant: fewer support hours, faster order processing, and a more scalable infrastructure helped the company boost ROI and prepare for future growth. As ERP Support and Development Specialist Stephanie Cornwell shared, “What used to take me 20 minutes to manually fix an error now takes me less than 5.” 

Farmers Union Industries’ success demonstrates that EDI consolidation isn’t just a theoretical advantage—it’s a practical, proven strategy for building efficiency, resilience, and growth readiness in today’s evolving market. 

Read the full case study here: https://www.truecommerce.com/resource/farmers-union-industries/.  

The Bottom Line: EDI Consolidation is a Strategic Advantage 

Businesses that rely on fragmented EDI systems will struggle with inefficiency, high costs, and limited flexibility, precisely when they need to be lean and agile.

Consolidating EDI vendors is a straightforward, high-impact way to: 

• Reduce operational costs 

• Streamline supply chain workflows 

• Improve visibility and compliance 

• Respond more quickly to policy or market shifts 

If you’re considering consolidating your EDI vendors, we’re here to help—connect with one of our experts today to explore how TrueCommerce can support you every step of the way.