30/11/2023

Shaping Tomorrow: The Future of EDI for Suppliers

In the current fast-paced business landscape, suppliers are continually seeking innovative ways to stay ahead of the curve. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), a tried-and-tested technology, is undergoing a transformative evolution, opening new avenues for suppliers. We want to dive into the future of EDI, exploring emerging trends and technologies that are reshaping the way suppliers operate and collaborate in the digital age.

Blockchain integration: Reinventing trust and security

Blockchain technology is revolutionising EDI with its transparency. Suppliers integrating blockchain with EDI are ensuring secure, tamper-proof transactions. Blockchain can store and verify EDI transactions and provide additional features, such as audit trails, instant transaction tracking, reduced fraud and improved compliance through visibility of transactions.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): Predictive insights and automation

AI and ML algorithms are transforming EDI data into actionable insights. Predictive analytics powered by AI can forecast demand patterns, optimises inventory management, and automates order processing. Suppliers leveraging these technologies can anticipate market trends and improve inventory turnover.

Internet of Things (IoT): Real-Time Visibility and Decision-Making

The IoT ecosystem is empowering suppliers with real-time data. IoT devices provide insights into product movement, storage conditions, and demand fluctuations. In EDI, this translates into accurate demand forecasting and streamlined logistics, enabling suppliers to make data-driven decisions promptly.

5G Connectivity: Unparalleled Speed and Reliability

With lightning-fast speed and low latency, Australian and New Zealand suppliers can exchange data almost instantaneously. Real-time order processing, quick inventory updates, and swift responses to customer queries become the norm. 5G connectivity ensures suppliers can keep track of their EDI whilst on the move easily and quickly.

EDI in the Cloud: Scalability and Flexibility

Cloud-based EDI solutions are becoming the norm. With scalable, pay-as-you-go models, suppliers can expand or contract their EDI systems based on demand. This flexibility ensures that suppliers can scale their operations seamlessly, meeting market demands without worrying about IT infrastructure constraints. By integrating these advancements into your EDI strategies, EDI users aren’t merely keeping up; they’re redefining the future of their operations. The ability to process orders faster, respond to market changes in real-time, and provide immersive customer experiences positions you at the forefront of the industry. The future of EDI for Australian and New Zealand suppliers is not just about transactions; it’s about transformative, data-driven, and customer-focused experiences, paving the way for unparalleled success in the digital age.Want to learn more about how MessageXchange can help with your data integration needs? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

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EDIRetailersSuppliers

26/10/2023

Enhancing supplier-customer relationships: The competitive edge of EDI

Strong relationships between suppliers and customers are more than a business strategy—it's key to success. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a powerful tool that allows businesses around the world to seamlessly interact and collaborate. Have a look at how to use EDI to gain a competitive advantage in your industry by enhancing supplier-customer relationships.

Streamline communication for clear understanding

Clear communication forms the foundation of any successful relationship. EDI eliminates communication barriers by automating the exchange of crucial information. From order details to shipping updates, EDI ensures both suppliers and customers have access to accurate data. With message types like purchase order responses (POR), suppliers can let their customers know if orders can be fulfilled or need to be updated. With advanced shipping notices (ASN), suppliers can also give their customers a heads up of what they’re sending in a delivery so they can better prepare their warehouse.

Ensuring precision in order processing

Inaccurate orders are a major pain point for customers and suppliers alike. EDI eliminates manual inputting errors by automating the order process. Suppliers can receive orders directly into their systems, reducing the likelihood of mistakes. Customers receive exactly what they ordered, enhancing satisfaction in suppliers’ reliability.

Boosting trust and issue resolution

Transparency builds trust. EDI provides a transparent view of the entire supply chain, from order placement to delivery. Customers can track their orders, ensuring visibility and peace of mind. This transparency not only enhances trust but also demonstrates suppliers’ commitment to customer satisfaction. No business relationship is without challenges. EDI equips suppliers with immediate access to transaction records. In case of discrepancies or issues, suppliers can swiftly track an order and address any issues. The ability to resolve problems promptly builds customer confidence and loyalty.

In the competitive markets of Australia and New Zealand especially, supplier-customer relationships aren’t just transactional; they're partnerships built on trust, understanding, and mutual benefit. EDI, with its ability to streamline communication, ensure order precision, boost transparency, enable proactive issue resolution, and promote adaptability, is not just a technology—it's the linchpin of these vital relationships.Want to learn more about how MessageXchange can help with your data integration needs? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

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EDIRetailersSuppliers

25/09/2023

EDI and APIs: Is it one or the other?

In the ever-expanding digital landscape, two powerful tools, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), are pivotal in shaping how data is exchanged in the business world. While these technologies serve distinct purposes and have unique characteristics, they also share common goals.

Understanding EDI

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a well-established message standard for exchanging structured business documents between trading partners. EDI has been a trusted format for decades and is often used in supply chain management, particularly in industries like retail, manufacturing, and healthcare. Here's a brief overview of EDI:
  • Structured format: EDI uses structured data formats, such as EDIFACT or X12, which define the layout and content of documents.
  • Legacy system integration: EDI excels at integrating with legacy systems, making it valuable for industries with established practices.
EDI messages can be sent and received over any protocol (including APIs) in real-time and in batch.

Understanding APIs

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), in contrast, haven’t been around quite as long as EDI. APIs are sets of rules and protocols that enable different software applications to communicate with each other in real-time. APIs have opened the possibility of industries of all types to start connecting business systems and data.

Finding common ground

Now that we've explored the key differences between EDI and APIs, we should recognise their shared objectives:
  • Data exchange: Both EDI and APIs are used for exchanging data efficiently and accurately between systems and organizations.
  • Efficiency: They aim to streamline processes, reduce manual data entry, and minimise errors, ultimately improving operational efficiency.
  • Business integration: Both technologies promote business integration, allowing different systems to work harmoniously together.
  • Enhanced communication: Whether through structured formats (EDI) or other connections (APIs), both solutions enhance communication between systems and trading partners.
In the world of data exchange, EDI and APIs are two formidable players, each with its unique strengths and capabilities. Often they are both pitted against each other but the reality is that both can be utilised together. APIs can be used with EDI and we are seeing more and more business take advantage of this. We frequently connect to customers' ERP systems via APIs to exchange EDI messages in real-time. Our Gateway solution has the flexibility to work with all types of connection protocols whether it’s API or another. Some of the key positives of a MessageXchange gateway, include:
  • One central connection between systems, mediating between systems, connection protocols, file formats and trading partners/businesses.
  • Having full visibility of data exchange activity
  • Ability to transform and manipulate data
  • Ability to see errors and act, or build in escalation processes.
Want to learn more about how MessageXchange can help with your data integration needs? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

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EDIRetailersSuppliers

29/08/2023

Choosing the Right EDI Service Provider: Factors to Consider

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) enables seamless data exchange and facilitates efficient supply chain management. As businesses in Australia and New Zealand continue to embrace EDI, selecting the right EDI service provider becomes a critical decision. The market offers a few providers, and making the right choice can significantly impact a company's success. In this blog, we will explore the essential factors to consider when choosing an EDI service provider in the ANZ region.

Industry expertise

One of the most critical factors to consider is whether the EDI service provider has expertise in your specific industry. Different industries have unique requirements and compliance standards. An EDI provider with experience in your industry will understand these nuances, ensuring a smooth implementation process and providing tailored solutions that align with your business needs. MessageXchange has been helping businesses in retail, supply chain, manufacturing and more, excel with EDI for more than 20 years.

Scalability and flexibility

As your business grows, your EDI requirements may evolve as well. It is crucial to choose a provider that offers scalable solutions, capable of accommodating increasing transaction volumes and expanding business needs. A flexible EDI service provider can adapt to your changing requirements, saving you the hassle of switching providers down the line.

Integration capabilities

The EDI service provider should be able to seamlessly integrate with your existing systems, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), and other business applications. Integration simplifies data exchange, reduces manual intervention, and enhances operational efficiency across your organisation. Check with your prospective EDI provider what they support for you both now, and as your business grows.

Compliance and security

EDI involves the exchange of sensitive business data. Therefore, data security and compliance are all important factors. Ensure that the EDI service provider adheres to industry-standard security practices and complies with data privacy regulations. Like MessageXchange, look for certifications such as ISO 27001 to confirm their commitment to data security.

Customer support and reliability

Prompt and reliable customer support is crucial when dealing with EDI. Like MessageXchange, look for providers with locally based support teams for fast acting support. Check customer reviews and testimonials to gauge the reliability and responsiveness of the EDI service provider.

Customer support and reliability

Prompt and reliable customer support is crucial when dealing with EDI. Like MessageXchange, look for providers with locally based support teams for fast acting support. Check customer reviews and testimonials to gauge the reliability and responsiveness of the EDI service provider.

Cost and pricing model

Evaluate the pricing model of the EDI service provider. Some providers charge per transaction, while others offer subscription-based pricing. Consider the cost implications based on your transaction volume and choose a pricing model that aligns with your budget and business strategy. Be aware of any hidden fees or additional costs that may apply.

Interoperability with trading partners

In the interconnected world of EDI, the ability to collaborate with multiple trading partners is crucial. Ensure that the EDI service provider has a robust network of trading partners across Australia and New Zealand, as well as globally. Compatibility with various EDI standards, such as EDIFACT and XML, is essential for seamless data exchange.

Implementation and onboarding process

The onboarding process should be well-structured and efficient. A reputable EDI service provider will have a clear implementation plan and dedicated support to guide you through the setup phase. Avoid providers that promise quick setup without proper planning, as this may lead to complications later on.Want to learn more about how MessageXchange can help with your EDI needs? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

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EDIRetailersSuppliers

26/07/2023

Getting started with EDI as a supplier: a step-by-step guide

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has emerged as a transformative technology for streamlining supply chain operations, enhancing efficiency, and improving communication between trading partners. As a supplier, adopting EDI can offer numerous benefits, from reducing manual processes to increasing order accuracy. Have a read through this step-by-step guide, to walk you through the process of getting started with EDI.

Step 1: Understand the benefits and requirements of EDI

Before diving into EDI integration, it is crucial to familiarise yourself with the benefits and requirements of this technology. Have a look into the advantages EDI offers, such as improved efficiency, reduced errors, and improved visibility of your supply chain. Gain insights into the specific EDI requirements and standards prevalent in the Australian market, including formats like EDIFACT and XML, as well as communication protocols like SFTP and AS2.

Step 2: Assess your business needs and objectives

Evaluate your business needs and objectives to determine how EDI can align with your overall strategy. Identify pain points in your current processes, such as manual data entry or lengthy order fulfillment cycles. Establish goals you wish to achieve through EDI integration, such as faster order processing or improved customer satisfaction. This assessment will help you tailor your EDI implementation to address specific challenges. You may initially be looking for compliance with your customer’s request, but also think about how to make it work for you.

Step 3: Research and select an EDI solution

Do some research to find the most suitable EDI solution for your business. Look for reputable EDI service providers that offer robust features, scalability, and compatibility with Australian trading partners. Consider factors such as ease of implementation, customer support, and cost-effectiveness. MessageXchange provide options for suppliers to meet their EDI requirements.[vc_column_inner width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1565317545162{padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #00b7f1 !important;}"]

EDI Webforms

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EDI Gateway

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Exchange EDI messages from an easy-to-use web portal

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Exchange EDI messages directly from your software

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Fully comply with over 20 retailers’ EDI requirements

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Comply with your customers’ EDI requirements, or onboard your suppliers to electronic trade

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Generate SSCC labels that can be printed on an office printer

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Remove double handling

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Have traceability and history of orders

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Generate custom reports

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Receive email notifications when a new order arrives

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Add your own business process management and validation

Check out our blog on what EDI solution is best for your business.

Step 4: Engage with your retailer partners

Normally your retailer partners will specify their requirements like EDI formats, document types, and communication protocols. They’re also likely to have a roadmap for onboarding to EDI with them, including a testing process. It’s important to keep open communication with retailer partners ensures a smooth transition to EDI and helps foster strong relationships built during the transition to EDI.

Step 5: Plan and prepare for integration

Create an integration plan that outlines the steps, timeline, and resources required for successful EDI implementation. Identify the internal stakeholders involved in the process, such as IT, operations, and customer service teams. Collaborate with your EDI solution provider to map your existing business processes to EDI workflows, including order processing, invoicing, and inventory management. Define roles and responsibilities, establish testing procedures, and set realistic milestones for each phase of the integration.

Step 6: Test, validate and refine

Testing and validation are crucial to ensure a seamless EDI integration. Collaborate with your retailer partners to conduct testing, including the exchange of sample documents. Validate the accuracy and reliability of data transmission and interpretation. Identify and resolve any issues or discrepancies encountered during testing. Continuous refinement based on feedback and results will help fine-tune your EDI processes and improve overall efficiency.

Step 7: Train your team and monitor performance

Provide comprehensive training to your team members involved in EDI processes. Educate them on EDI protocols, and best practices. Familiarise them with the EDI solution and its functionalities. Encourage ongoing learning to ensure your team stays updated with industry trends and advancements in EDI technology. Additionally, implement monitoring and performance tracking mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of your EDI integration and identify areas for further optimisation. Want to learn more about how MessageXchange can help with your EDI needs? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.Want to learn more about how EDI could help solve your business issues? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

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EDIRetailers

23/06/2023

Getting the most out of your EDI (not just retailer compliance)

EDI often is seen as just the requirement retailers’ pass onto you as a supplier, but it can be so much more. By leveraging EDI to its full potential, suppliers can improve operations, enhance collaboration, and gain a competitive edge in today's dynamic marketplace. Here’s how you can take EDI further than just compliance.

Get updates from your supply chain

Data enables more proactive decision-making, and ultimately improves customer satisfaction. Using certain EDI message types can give more visibility into your supply chain. Want to know if a supplier can fulfill an order? You can use purchase order responses (PORs) to get suppliers to tell you if they can complete an order. Suppliers can also let you know when an order is coming your way and what is being sent, using an advanced shipping notice (ASNs).

Streamlined order processing through automation

Suppliers can integrate their EDI systems with their internal order processing systems. This integration eliminates manual data entry, reduces errors, and speeds up order fulfillment. Automatic order processing enhances efficiency, reduces administrative costs, and enables suppliers to meet customer demands with greater agility. EDI can even help streamline and automate logistics processes, such as:
  • receiving and stocking goods
  • managing inventory
  • managing of warehouse movements
  • expediting shipments
  • processing refunds
  • repackaging processes (co-packing).

Greater data for reporting and performance monitoring

By harnessing the power of EDI data, suppliers can unlock valuable insights into their business operations. Suppliers can identify patterns, trends, and opportunities. This data helps suppliers to make informed decisions about market trends and more driving competitive advantage.

Scalability and growth

Our EDI gateways are highly scalable, allowing you to accommodate the growing demands of your business. Without EDI, as your orders go up so does your manual processing and costs. But this isn’t the case with the automation of EDI.Want to learn more about how EDI could help solve your business issues? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

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EDIRetailers

26/05/2023

EDI for small business

It’s common for people to think electronic data interchange (EDI) is used by big businesses only. But small business can actually benefit from EDI without heavy investment too.

The benefits of EDI to small businesses

Let’s get down to brass tacks. There are a few things you can get out of EDI as a small business. Here are just a few:

  • Cost savings
    The cost to process a paper invoice is estimated to be $30.87, $27.67 to process a PDF invoice, and only $9.18 to process an electronic invoice.
  • Shortened procure-to-pay cycle
    EDI can speed up your business cycles by 61%. EDI can reduce the order-to-cash cycle time by more than 20%.
  • Better data accuracy
    EDI improves data quality, delivering at least a 30-40% reduction in transactions with errors by eliminating manual data entry errors.
  • Less manual handling
    75% of businesses are confident they can process most inbound EDI/XML connections without a human touch.
  • Better visibility into your supply chain
    A study showed that 63% of businesses surveyed reported increased collaboration and visibility with suppliers after implementing EDI.
  • Better customer service
    60% of businesses say data integration has improved their customer service levels.
  • Increase your potential business with EDI ready organisations
    EDI ready businesses are more willing to work with each knowing they can benefit from their existing EDI setup.
  • Reduce paper use and digitise your business operations
    According to research, implementing EDI can lead to a 75% reduction in paper usage for transactional documents.

How does it work?

As the orders coming in increases, so does your business. But so does manual data entry, increasing workload and the risk of mistakes and errors. By using a EDI with your suppliers, you can raise orders and other messages as usual and they would be sent directly to your supplier’s software or EDI portal.

There, they respond to the order with a purchase order response, to let you know what they can supply, and can even let you know if your prices are incorrect, when they estimate the delivery to arrive and more. This information can be input into your software so your team can plan ahead. And if your software doesn’t support this data, you could take a hybrid approach and view this information in an EDI portal, like Colladium.

Your supplier can also issue you advanced shipping notices, which tell you exactly how the goods are being packed. Your supplier can even give you information like the best before or expiry dates, the batch numbers of the goods and more. This is especially useful if you have stock management or warehousing software. Again, once your supplier sends the information, it goes directly into your software – no need to re-key it. It also ensures your team have full visibility of the supply chain.

And finally, your accounts payable team will be happy about this – supplier invoices go directly into your software. There’s no receiving invoices attached to shipments, which your team need to enter, and no OCR scanning PDFs. The right data gets into your invoicing software straight away, where you may be able to automate the approval and payment of the invoice.

So what if your partners don’t use EDI? Easy, our web portal solution, Colladium, allows your suppliers and logistics provider to send you EDI messages directly to your software. Did I mention it’s free for them to use?!

Process for implementing EDI

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Let us know what you want to achieve and we'll suggest the best solution

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Start our partnership

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Connect to MessageXchange and test connectivity and messaging

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Go live!

Want to learn more about how EDI could help solve your business issues? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

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EDIRetailers

20/04/2023

Five issues EDI helps overcome

It’s an interesting, and let’s be honest, difficult time for businesses right now. From higher costs to supply chain issues and increasing labour wages, businesses are feeling the heat from all directions. If electronic data interchange, or EDI, is something you’ve been thinking about for a while, or even if it’s something you’re just starting to look at, take a look at these five ways it can help overcome the issues businesses are facing in 2023.

1. Lack of supply chain visibility

It’s often difficult for businesses to be aware of what’s happening in their supply chains. For example, knowing when an order is being sent and exactly what is being sent by the supplier. Using EDI, you can request an advanced shipping notice (ASN) from your suppliers that gives you all of this information. Suppliers can also add serial shipping container code (SSCC) labels to your ASNs, which tell you what’s in an individual packing unit. All this can improve visibility, reduce warehouse costs, reduce manual labour and improve customer service.

2. Non-fulfilment of orders

There’s arguably no worse issue than a supplier not being able to fulfill an order and not knowing about until it’s too late. It can batter your reputation and really weaken your relationship with the supplier, not to mention your customers. But what if your supplier could confirm whether or not they can fulfill a purchase you send to them? EDI can do this using a purchase order response (POR). The supplier can send the POR back to you with information about whether they can complete the order fully, partially or none of it.

3. Payment of incorrect/fraudulent invoices

Paying invoices incorrectly, or worse, paying fake invoices is costly to a business. These days the number of fraudulent emails and activity is only increasing. It’s affecting a lot businesses not just in Australia but around the world. EDI can help with this in a few ways. EDI helps is by reducing errors that occur from manual inputting. This makes it harder for invoices to come back to the buyer with errors. And some EDI providers, like MessageXchange, can build in processes to match and invoice with a corresponding PO number to confirm its validity.

4. Staff burnout from all the manual processing

A big issue for business now is keeping costs and processes streamlined and that’s no easy task. As a business grows, processes increase and if they’re manual, costs inevitably increase too. This becomes difficult to address without automation. That’s were EDI helps, you don’t need to be inputting data into multiple software, you don’t need to create PDFs or emails to send trade documents. It’s all input directly into your software so staff don’t have to enter it, and don’t need to fix OCR scanning errors.

5. Improving sustainability

Businesses are looking at become more sustainable and reducing their impact on the environment. One way businesses are doing this is going paperless by using EDI. Everything is done through your software, so there’s no more printing out documents. Want to learn more about how EDI could help solve your business issues? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

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EDIRetailersSuppliers

28/02/2023

EDI adoption barriers and how to overcome them

EDI is pretty enticing when you look at its host of benefits:
  • cost savings
  • shortened procure-to-pay cycle
  • better data accuracy
  • less manual handling
  • better visibility into your supply chain
  • better customer service.
But as with any innovation, there are barriers that can get in the way of a business choosing to implement EDI. Here are some of those and how to overcome them.

Not understanding EDI and how it works

Simply put, EDI (electronic data interchange) is the exchange of business information directly between business software. Think of a purchase order being created in one company’s accounting package, and it ‘magically’ appears in the supplier’s software; no email, no PDF, no manual data entry. Well, it’s not magic, it’s EDI! Check out our whitepaper to learn all the basics. EDI can be pretty technical so this often makes it a little daunting for businesses. There’s also a sense of if you don’t have expertise you’ll have trouble implementing. The fact is, EDI providers, like MessageXchange, will always be there to clarify a lot about how it works and work with the relevant internal teams to make the process seamless.

Having unrealistic expectations

EDI requires clear expectations in terms of costs, timelines, internal operations and of suppliers. Rome wasn’t built in a day! When it comes to EDI, planning at the beginning is everything. This will give a clear direction for implementation and help assess how things are tracking compared to your targets. Keep these clear with your provider and hold them to it. The planning stage should also set clear expectations of who is responsible for what when EDI is implementation. Something else you can do is to get a clear understanding of price from your provider. All providers have different pricing models, make sure you find the one that suits your business most.

The capability of your supply chain

Your supply chain is critical to any EDI project. It can often make or break a project. So it can seem like a big barrier if you have difficulty getting suppliers onboard. But there are definitely ways around this. The number one thing to do when looking at onboarding suppliers is to segment them into groups and use this to stage your onboarding process. There’s no right or wrong way to segment your suppliers. It can be according to their readiness for EDI, maybe their size, whatever you like. As you’re onboard each segment it will give you an understanding of your progress. Another great way to get around suppliers not onboarding is by giving them options. If they’re already using EDI they can just integrate with your EDI solution. If they’re not using EDI, you can offer them a web portal solution, like Colladium. It makes it easier for suppliers, particularly smaller ones, to send and receive EDI messages all from a web browser.

Lack of resources

EDI is often linked with being costly and time intensive to set up but that’s changed a lot. These days businesses with no previous EDI experience are getting set up easily and quickly. EDI providers, like MessageXchange often step businesses through the whole process and even take care of critical parts. MessageXchange can create automated compliance testing solutions that test the EDI messages of suppliers on a portal to make sure it adheres to all EDI requirements. This saves you time and also saves your staff from having to contact suppliers one by one to organise testing. Need more help getting ready for EDI? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

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EDIRetailersSuppliers

19/01/2023

EDI best practices

EDI can be a big commitment, and following best practice from the get-go can save you time, money and hassles down the line. We’re pretty experienced helping customers implement EDI, so here are some pointers on how to get things right the first time.

Establish clear procedures

It’s important to have clear contact point for your trading partners to get in touch with you about EDI-related issues they may have. The last thing you want is a colleague who knows little or nothing about EDI being asked EDI questions and not knowing where to direct the question. Work out who will take care of EDI questions from suppliers and educate your team so they understand where to direct these enquiries. Another thing to think about having is a contingency plan if something goes wrong with your EDI. You need processes in place to be able to keep operating in the unlikely scenario of an issue.

Test, test, test

There’s nothing worse than sending EDI messages to your suppliers only for them to not receive it. Or even having suppliers sending you messages incorrectly. This can lead to stock not being on shelves and invoices not getting paid. Testing before going live can make the transition to EDI much more seamless. Organise a time to send and receive test EDI messages to and from your suppliers to ensure that you don’t run into any issues when you go live. If this sounds a bit too manual, you can use our message compliance testing (MCT) service on Colladium to automatically ensure the EDI messages you’ll receive follow the correct syntax and use the right fields.

Automate as many processes as possible

Before getting started with EDI, think about all the things you want automated – an EDI automation wish list so to speak. Think about all the areas that take up too much manual processing or add significant costs, for example not knowing if an order can be fulfilled, or not knowing when it’s going to be delivered. You can even look at the invoice payment process, which is often time consuming for your accounts team. EDI can automate matching purchase orders and other EDI documents with your invoices to ensure they are accurate and legitimate.

Be picky when choosing an EDI provider

It’ll come as no surprise that it’s important to have a list of things you expect from your ideal EDI provider. Have a think with your team about what you want in your provider. Think about:
  • if they meet your technical requirements
  • if their business aligns with yours
  • if they have the right experience
  • if their support model works for your business
  • if their pricing model suits you.
Need more help getting ready for EDI? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

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EDIRetailersSuppliers

22/11/2022

Using EDI to improve supply chain efficiency

Improving efficiency is one way for businesses to help battle rising costs and inflation. One efficiency improvement businesses are turning to is EDI.

Reduce costs and errors

The big efficiency with EDI is there’s no need for emailing or paper, which has some obvious benefits. As your number of orders grow, so does manual processing and hence, the need for more hands on deck. EDI does a lot of the heavy lifting for you through automating a lot of your processes. Studies have shown EDI can reduce the cost of a financial transaction by up to 90% and exchanging an invoice through EDI can even cost less than a cent. Automation from EDI can stop those awkward moments where your customer asks why your invoice numbers are wrong or if a supplier delivers the wrong products. EDI can result in a reduction in transactions errors by up to 40%.

Faster delivery times from suppliers

For any businesses, one of their biggest nightmares is not receiving goods when they need it. Any way to make the procure-to-pay cycle shorter is always a benefit. EDI sends trade documents directly between your software and your partners’. No more emails and manual inputting. EDI automation can speed up business cycles by 61%.

Better supply chain visibility

The best way keep track of all processes in the supply chain is through data. Businesses using EDI can find out whether a supplier can complete a purchase order. If you use advanced shipping notices (ASNs) with your suppliers, you can find out what a supplier is sending you and how they’re sending it. This can help your warehouse teams plan ahead for deliveries, so you can save time and resources. In fact, using ASNs can reduce receiving costs by up to 40%. Have more questions? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

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EDIRetailersSuppliers

21/10/2022

What rules the roost – EDI process or business- and software-process?

We often get companies come to us when they want to implement EDI. And one of the points of confusion is often around where EDI fits in with their business processes and software. They ask what comes first – is EDI the cart or the horse, the chicken or the egg?As a general rule, we say EDI should support your business processes, not rule them. We suggest companies map out their process, whether it be existing or what they want them to be, then insert EDI at points that it can help. For example, if you want to scan inventory in when it arrives, you’ll probably choose to use an advanced shipping notice to get the data into your software ahead of time and have your suppliers attach scannable SSCC labels to their shipments. If your software conducts two-, three- or four-way matching, you’ll need to make sure you exchange the relevant messages that are used in those checks. The other thing is, you don’t want to make your project bigger than Ben Hur – it’s ok to phase in different stages. Start with where it’s simple to bring EDI into the process. Then if there are other pain points down the track that can be resolved with EDI, then add them into the mix. A key reason for why projects can go awry is biting off more than one can chew. Different industries, and even different businesses or different software all operate in their own ways. And there’s good reason for that. It’s important that you get your processes in a place that suit your business needs. EDI should ideally be used to bring in automation and to reduce your team’s workload. Here at MessageXchange, our software can help with the EDI portion, but our powerful business process management layer can help fill gaps between EDI and your processes and software. MessageXchange is flexible enough, and smart enough, to cater to processes regardless of their complexity. For example, two-way matching can be conducted within MessageXchange itself by taking the EDI order and invoice and reconciling them against each other, then sending the result on. It can do the same with three-way matching by including the shipping notice too. It can even enhance the data in your message. For example, if you find it’s difficult for you or your suppliers to include a supplier number or GLN, MessageXchange can insert that into messages for you. Looking for more information on this topic? Get in touch with us below.

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