Choose Your EDI Solution Wisely….
Our competitors tell you that a low-cost software solution will solve your problems. They don’t tell you about the technical resources you will need to create your initial retailer connection and ongoing resources to maintain compliance.
Why pay money for software when you have to do all the work? SPS is a full-service partner who will manage your partner connections and be your technical resource.
4 Common Misconceptions When Comparing EDI Solutions
Here’s the most popular feedback we’ve heard from customers who are trying to differentiate EDI companies.
SPS Commerce Is the Most Expensive
Many providers advertise unbelievably low prices based on the current status of your business. This pricing model is usually based upon a simplistic business structure of 1 product, 1 partner and 1 fulfillment model.
But when you grow, you could see extra fees for:
- Long orders: pricing can be based on each line of information and others on characters on the purchase order (PO) including spaces and commas. As orders grow, so will your overages.
- Change in business: you could see extra charges on every order if you add a new product or fulfillment model.
- Testing documents: you could see additional fees for testing transactions.
EDI is a “Set-it-and-Forget-it” Connection
Partners change requirements regularly. Some of these changes are triggered by them adding more fulfillment models or improving customer experiences.
Make sure to consider how providers meet retailer changes because:
- Some providers will wait for you to receive failed orders, then you have to notify them you need changes.
- Some expect you to make the technical adjustments yourself in order to comply.
- Some expect you to communicate with your trading partners on connectivity and troubleshooting.
EDI System Integration Is All the Same
EDI easily integrates into most ERP, WMS or other solutions, but it is achieved in many ways. It can be done without a custom build or major IT project. While a custom build might be necessary for certain businesses, not everyone needs custom code within their systems.
Key technology points to evaluate:
- Clarify what technical responsibilities you are required to perform.
- Ask about the types of integrations they’ve performed within the last year.
- Verify you can continue system updates without another IT project.
- Ask about formal integration partnerships and annual certifications.
- Evaluate EDI automation capabilities within your system.
- Review integration capabilities with your solution.
All Cloud EDI Systems Are Identical
While the technology itself all seems the same, the question you must answer is: How much time and how many resources do I want to add to the process?
Consider where you want to focus your efforts within your business:
- Do you just want EDI technology so you can manage the day-to-day maintenance and troubleshooting yourself? If so, you’ll want to pick a tech-only solution like a managed EDI service.
- Do you want someone else to handle the technical lifting and ongoing EDI maintenance on your behalf? If so, a full-service provide gives you a system and a team of experts to oversee your EDI process.
- Do you want an EDI solution that provides additional features and automation to aid a growing business? If so, a full-service provider is constantly expanding their capabilities for their customers.
SPS Commerce Promises To:
- Provide an expert team that handles ongoing management of your EDI solution.
- Take ownership of understanding your trading partner requirements and proactively make map changes. The SPS team actively manages 9,000 changes from retailers each year.
- Manage your end-to-end EDI testing and ensure your initial data flow with trading partners is successful.
- Communicate directly with your trading partners to manage connectivity, setup, requirements, updates and support efforts.
- Proactively monitor and optimize your solution to prevent errors and minimize data entry.
- Provide the one system (Fulfillment) with full data reporting and the ability to resubmit orders without calling support.
- Prescribe fair and fixed pricing that is based on your transactions now, and that easily adapts as your business changes in the future.
- Have a team of trading partner, system and EDI experts available 24×7 to make sure you do not experience disruptions.
We would love to help you navigate the complexities of EDI. We’ll learn about your business and help you compare quotes. Even if you don’t choose us, we’re here to help.
Do you have 10 minutes to talk?
Let’s chat about EDI
Contact SPS Commerce about your EDI needs and questions:
Still curious about who SPS Commerce is and what they do? Find out more.
Our customers trust us with their EDI.
Whether you’re new to EDI, looking to gain more from it or expand its capabilities, we have you covered.
“We are able to approach retailers and tell them we are EDI compliant, knowing that we will be able to be setup without problems.”
– Matthias H., Manager
“I love how user friendly the software is! It was a seamless transition with lots of resources and tools. Customer service is ALWAYS super friendly AND helpful.”
– Danielle B., Shipping Manager
“When there are updates from my customers, the changes are automatic, and I don’t have to worry about making any changes.”
– Nancy M., Office Manager