What is EDI translation?
EDI stands for Electronic Data Interchange. EDI is the secure, automated exchange of electronic documents, such as purchase orders, invoices and delivery notes, between businesses or trading partners using a standardised format that allows different computer systems to communicate with each other.
EDI is now the standard way in which most larger organisations trade with their supply chain – and, as a result, suppliers of goods and services are at a real competitive advantage if they can trade electronically via EDI with their customers.
What is EDI?
There are many efficiency and cost saving benefits of EDI for businesses of all sizes, operating in diverse sectors including retail, food, logistics, distribution, construction, manufacturing and many more.
Further information on EDI can be found in the following FAQ’s, which may be particularly useful if you are just starting to trade via EDI or alternatively if you are looking to change EDI providers:
How does EDI work?
In terms of how EDI works, there are three main steps in the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) process – preparation and organisation of data, translation to the agreed EDI format, and the transmission of the EDI documents.
Who is EDI for?
EDI is for any business that exchanges business documents with other businesses as part of their trading relationships.
How do you get started with EDI?
There are a few things to think through when adopting EDI, depending on the demands of your business needs. Transaction volume, resources and support are all important factors of consideration when choosing the right solution.
What are the benefits of EDI?
Using EDI can transform the fortunes of businesses, large and small, with benefits including reduced costs and improved cash flow to name just a few. EDI is a game changer for many businesses.
What is an EDI VAN?
A Value Added Network — or VAN — is a secure private network which acts as an intermediary to enable EDI connectivity between trading partners and other VANs.
What is EDI integration?
EDI integration is the electronic communication of business messages, such as orders and invoices, credit notes and ASN’s, internally between your own EDI system and your own back office accounts, warehouse or ERP systems, removing the need for manual re-keying of information. Businesses can use EDI integration tools to manage their EDI activity from their business system and remove manual rekeying processes from their organisation.
What is an EDI mailbox?
An EDI mailbox is a file storage area within a computer which can be uniquely identified from connected mailboxes and VANs in other locations, and where EDI messages are consolidated and stored for retrieval by a vendor or supplier.
What is an EDI hub?
An EDI hub is usually an organisation that buys multiple products and services and does so by sending orders electronically to its suppliers, and receiving electronic invoices in return.
What are EDI transactions/files/documents?
EDI transactions, documents and files refer to the EDI messages that are exchanged between trading partners.
The TrueCommerce EDI managed service has been designed to meet the EDI requirements of small, emerging, mid-market and enterprise businesses, with an EDI solution that provides all of the key EDI elements required for a complete end-to-end EDI solution.
A web-based EDI tool that translates your documents into the EDI format
EDI mapping to synchronise your system with your trading partners’ systems
The EDI network that sends and receives electronic documents
Ongoing EDI support and maintenance services
A full range of support packages are available, tailored specifically for your requirements, to ensure that you maximise the benefits of TrueCommerce EDI.
For further information download the TrueCommerce “What is EDI?” datasheet or access the recording of our recent webinar on the topic of “What is EDI?”.