Public and private organizations across every industry can reap the multiple benefits of implementing EDI. Whether you are a small to mid-size supplier, large distributor or start-business, there is an EDI solution to suit your organizational needs. 

EDI can also help unify disparate legacy systems after company expansion or mergers. EDI refers to the electronic exchange of critical business data in a standardized format across different businesses. EDI is applied across a variety of companies to serve a multitude of needs and organizational priorities. 

The following are some examples of typical applications of EDI across industries:

Managing Supply Chain

EDI is extensively used for the supply chain management of information and products. It simplifies the flow of purchase orders, order confirmations, shipping notes and invoices between all parties. 

Processing of Orders

EDI systematizes the order-to-cash process. This includes the electronic send/receive of:  

1. Purchase orders 
2. Order receipts 
3. Order amends 
4. Order confirmations 

Payment processing

Many organizations choose EDI because of its ability to take labor out of the payment processing process. This change improves efficiency, saves money and improves cash flow. EDI automates the exchange of invoice data, payments and account balances 

Managing goods inventory

EDI enables real-time inventory updates. EDI offers businesses a window into inventory levels, demand estimates and replenishment requirements. This information can be shared with all suppliers and partners for inter-departmental efficiency. 

Logistics and Shipment/Goods Delivery 

EDI allows ASNs, advance shipping notifications, and shipping notifications to be exchanged across all pertinent parties. It improves accuracy and order-to-shipment timings. Organizations see improvements in logistics warehouse management. Moreover, if there are problems with goods received, EDI streamlines the returns process. EDI allows data on returns orders, returns authorizations, and refunds to be automated and efficient. 

Point of Sale (POS)

EDI facilitates the seamless transmission of crucial data between retailers and suppliers, including sales transactions, inventory statuses and product details. This exchange ensures efficient communication and fosters enhanced collaboration throughout the supply chain. Organizations benefit from improved inventory management, reduced errors and increased operational efficiency. 

EDI is essential for businesses looking to gain a competitive edge. EDI allows businesses to swiftly respond to market shifts, boosting customer satisfaction and positioning themselves as tech-savvy collaborators. EDI revolutionizes B2B transactions. If you are looking for a faster, more precise and efficient sales process, EDI is for you. EDI fosters seamless communication and collaboration between all stakeholders for mutual success.

Are you still unsure about who can benefit from EDI? We have constructed a list of the types of organizations that can benefit from EDI, its implementation and industry advantages.

Zero paper, zero waste. Businesses looking to reduce paper waste and meet CSR goals. 

An EDI system means zero paper and zero costs for printing, maintenance, storage, postage and disposal of papers. If your organizational ambition is to go ‘paperless’ or reduce paper use, then EDI offers you a perfect, low-emissions solution that can help you meet environmental targets across every department.  

Comprehensive Visibility. Businesses seeking greater transparency and accuracy 

EDI offers a collaborative solution that allows partners to work with the same invoice. Information can be managed and delivered seamlessly. EDI also reduces the risk of human error resulting from manual input of critical data. Businesses see a dramatic improvement in data accuracy. EDI makes it easier to detect missing information and errors earlier.

Growth and Innovation. Businesses aiming to re-direct valuable resources to innovate and improve  

EDI automates paper-based tasks so that organizations can accelerate transaction processing. EDI reduces the need for manual input, meaning that in–house talent can be redirected to business–centric tasks. With EDI, operations can become more efficient. EDI allows teams to focus on core business activities, fostering organizational growth and continuous innovation.

Optimise time-critical operations. Businesses with a need to deliver on strict deadlines and narrow time frames  

EDI automates the transfer of data across a supply chain. This means that business-critical data is not only sent in a timely manner but tracked in real-time. Standardized and electronic EDI translation saves time and enables organizations to rapidly exchange business documents digitally. EDI is perfect for time-critical data handling. EDI offers data delivery to all parties with a turnaround time of minutes rather than days.

Cost-effective solution. Companies looking to reduce operational costs and expenses related to legacy infrastructure  

Integrating EDI into your preferred ERP platform allows organizations to streamline the order-to-cash cycle. By automating data entry across multiple systems, organizations can reduce expenses and operational running costs.

Prioritise Security. Businesses seeking a secure and protected platform.   

Employing EDI within your organization can help you to reach security standards across all departments. EDI transactions are incredibly secure compared to traditional paper or email communication. EDI offers world-class infrastructure and encryption, keeping your data safe and stable.