For 43 Years, TrueCommerce Has Shaped Electronic Data Interchange in Germany and Internationally
Key facts at a glance:
- TrueCommerce’s history in Germany begins in 1983 with the founding of GLI GmbH.
- In 1986, GLI developed the world’s first EDIFACT converter and helped shape the adoption of EDI in Europe.
- Through Client Computing, Compello, and DiCentral, the company evolved into an internationally connected integration provider.
- Since 2023, we have officially been known as TrueCommerce Germany — our customers benefit from our global network for EDI, API, and supply chain integration.
More than 180,000 trading partners are connected through TrueCommerce.
How It All Began
The TrueCommerce success story begins in 1983 with the founding of GLI Gesellschaft für Logistik und Informationssysteme mbH by Dr Heiko Mehnen in Germany. Even then, the focus was on the digitisation of business processes and electronic data interchange between companies.
At a time when many business processes were still paper-based, GLI recognised the potential of standardised electronic communication early on. This made the company one of the technological pioneers in EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) in Germany and Europe.
Why Was GLI a Pioneer for EDI in Europe?
In 1986, GLI developed the world’s first EDIFACT converter and played a central role in the introduction of the EDIFACT standard in Germany and Europe. This milestone made GLI one of the most important EDI pioneers in the German market.
EDIFACT quickly established itself as the international standard for the electronic exchange of business documents such as:
- Purchase orders — ORDERS
- Invoices — INVOIC
- Delivery notes — DESADV
- Shipping notifications — DESADV
EDI gained importance early in Germany in particular, especially in industries such as automotive, retail, logistics, and manufacturing.
How Did the Company Continue to Grow Internationally?
In the early 2000s, the company began its international expansion. The goal was to secure long-term technological development and to expand the EDI expertise from Germany on an international scale.
In 2006, GLI was acquired by the Norwegian Client Computing A/S and subsequently operated as Client Computing Germany GmbH.
At that time, Client Computing was already among the leading EDI providers in Scandinavia and was particularly strong in:
- Energy
- Telecommunications
- Retail
- Logistics
The merger created an international network with deep technical expertise in EDI and systems integration.
What Role Did Compello Play for the German Mid-Market?
In 2011, Client Computing became part of the Norwegian Compello Group. In Germany, this resulted in Compello GmbH, headquartered in Ismaning near Munich.
Compello quickly established itself as a reliable provider of EDI and EAI solutions for the German mid-market. Companies in Germany from the following industries especially benefited from these solutions:
- Textiles & fashion
- Energy
- Retail
- Automotive
- Telecommunications
- Manufacturing
The platform supported both electronic data interchange between companies (EDI) and the integration of internal systems (EAI).
Why Was the DiCentral Acquisition an Important Step?
In 2018, the German Compello GmbH became part of DiCentral, a global provider of EDI and supply chain solutions headquartered in Houston, Texas.
For DiCentral, the acquisition meant a strategic entry into the European market. At the same time, customers in Germany benefited from a significantly expanded solution portfolio.
Especially important were:
- Seamless ERP integrations with SAP and Microsoft Dynamics
- Web-EDI solutions
- Dropship functionality
- Global supply chain integration
The existing EDI platform was substantially expanded as a result and became internationally scalable.
What Does Belonging to TrueCommerce Mean Since 2023?
Since 2023, the company has been part of TrueCommerce, a global leader in trading partner integration, EDI, API integration, and omnichannel solutions.
With the acquisition of DiCentral, TrueCommerce strengthened its presence in Europe and continued to expand its global network. Today, TrueCommerce connects more than 180,000 trading partners worldwide and supports companies with a central platform for modern supply chain integration.
TrueCommerce operates one of the largest global networks for trading partner integration and helps companies to:
- Automate supply chains
- Integrate ERP systems
- Connect EDI and API processes
- Meet international e-invoicing requirements
- Digitise omnichannel processes
This is how TrueCommerce Germany combines decades of German EDI expertise with the innovative power of a global integration network.
Since 2026, TrueCommerce Germany has been headquartered in Munich-Unterföhring.
Why Is the TrueCommerce Germany Success Story Still Relevant Today?
The digitisation of supply chains continues to gain importance in Germany and Europe. New topics are becoming increasingly business-critical for companies such as:
- E-invoicing mandates
- PEPPOL
- API integrations
- ERP connectivity
- Supply chain transparency
- Business process automation
By combining decades of experience in the German market with global scalability, TrueCommerce helps companies to make their business processes efficient, compliant, and future-proof.
Which Industries Does TrueCommerce Support in Germany?
TrueCommerce supports companies in numerous industries across Germany and Europe, including:
| Industry |
Typical requirements |
| Retail |
Supplier connectivity, EDI, dropshipping |
| Automotive |
Just-in-time communication, EDIFACT |
| Manufacturing |
ERP integration, supply chain automation |
| Fashion & textiles |
Retailer connectivity, order processing |
| Wholesale |
Order automation, invoice integration |
| Logistics |
Data exchange with partners and customers |
FAQ: Common Questions About the TrueCommerce Germany Success Story
When Was TrueCommerce Germany Founded?
The origins of today’s company go back to 1983, when GLI GmbH was founded.
What Was the First Major Technological Milestone?
In 1986, GLI developed the world’s first EDIFACT converter and supported the introduction of the EDIFACT standard in Europe.
Which Companies Were Part of the Development History?
The development went through several stages:
GLI → Client Computing Germany → Compello GmbH → DiCentral → TrueCommerce Germany GmbH.
How Large Is the Global TrueCommerce Network?
TrueCommerce has connected more than 180,000 trading partners worldwide and reaches millions of accessible trading partners in total through a global integration network.
Which ERP Systems Does TrueCommerce Support?
Supported ERP systems include, among others:
- SAP
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Sage
- Oracle
- NetSuite
- Infor
- and more
About TrueCommerce Germany
TrueCommerce Germany combines decades of experience in electronic data interchange with modern cloud-based integration solutions. As part of a global network, TrueCommerce supports companies in Germany and Europe in digitising and automating their entire supply chain.