TrueCommerce API provides structured access to invoice data, helping businesses connect it to the systems that need it.
Many businesses today use EDI to exchange selected business documents, including EDI invoices, with trading partners, while relying on flat file integrations for other processes. For example, while orders and 3PL workflows are handled through the EDI integration with their ERP, invoices are processed separately through a third-party provider via flat-file exports and imports.
This is a common pattern in both domestic and cross-border transactions. Flat-file exchange can support the process, but challenges arise when the invoice data also needs to feed additional internal workflows. Making the data accessible elsewhere may require separate integrations or manual steps, which can add time and increase the risk of errors and delays.
API is Not Another Flat File
For businesses with well-defined data structures and batch-oriented workflows, flat files can work very well. Data can be exchanged through files such as CSVs and automated as part of scheduled processes.
But as businesses grow, so do the volume and frequency of data exchange. When hundreds or thousands of documents need to be exchanged every day, file-based processes that depend on batch schedules, manual handling, or re-entry across systems can become a bottleneck. Those manual steps take time and introduce inconsistencies that are difficult to catch and costly to fix.
A hybrid approach combining managed EDI and TrueCommerce API offers a more flexible and scalable alternative. EDI continues to handle the structured exchange of business documents, including validation and support for trading partner compliance. TrueCommerce API provides structured access to transaction data so customers can connect it to their internal workflows.
Make Your EDI Invoice Data Easy to Access Via API
TrueCommerce API gives developers structured access to invoice data for use in the systems your business relies on.
Instead of relying only on flat-file exchange or access through your accounting system, your integration layer can use API access to make the same data available in your ERP, CRM, and other business systems.
This means your invoice data can flow to where it is needed without being manually re-entered into each system.
The Invoicing Flow: How to Connect EDI 810 Invoice Data Via API
- The invoice arrives via EDI
- TrueCommerce API makes the invoice data available in a structured, application-ready format
- The company’s integration layer can retrieve the invoice data via API and post it to the approval system
- In parallel, the existing EDI-to-ERP flow can continue for accounting purposes
- The two downstream flows can operate separately after the transaction data is made available.
What This Changes for Finance
When the required invoice fields are present and the approval system also has access to the related purchase order and receipt data, structured API data can support invoice coding and three-way matching. This can reduce manual corrections caused by missing or incorrectly formatted invoice data.
When the company’s integration layer posts invoice data to the approval system through that system’s API, the response can indicate whether the request was accepted or returned an error. With appropriate monitoring and notifications, Finance can identify rejected requests sooner rather than finding out when a supplier calls.
Because the approval and ERP processes can operate as separate downstream flows, a problem in the ERP does not necessarily interrupt Finance’s work in the approval system.
| Area |
Before API |
After adding API |
| Acknowledgement on delivery |
File or batch errors may surface later |
API response can confirm request acceptance or return an error |
| Data quality |
Quality depends on the source data and file mapping |
Consistent structured data based on the source transaction and configured mapping |
| Manual corrections in Finance |
May require re-entry or correction across systems |
Can be reduced when required data and mappings are complete |
| Integration maintenance |
File integration and batch processes require ongoing upkeep |
Standardized API integration with monitoring and version management |
| Dependency between flows |
Approval may depend on the ERP or batch flow |
Downstream flows can operate separately after the data is made available |
Optimization Equals More Data Control
Adding TrueCommerce API to the invoicing flow means structured data can be made available to the systems that need it, with API responses that help confirm whether requests were accepted or returned an error. With monitoring in place, Finance can identify and act on failures sooner. Each downstream system can operate through a separate integration flow, supporting event-driven workflows rather than relying only on scheduled file exchanges.
Adding API means data moves how and when your business needs it to. That is control.