Do You Need An EDI Integration?
Are you evaluating doing an EDI integration? SPS Commerce can help! This content will explain the 3 most common integration types, the ROI by integrating and help you visualize how a full-service EDI integration could make your workload more efficient.
Why listen to us? Truth is, SPS has been the leading EDI expert since 2000. Whether you’re pursuing EDI integration on behalf of a trading partner or just looking to be more efficient, we’ve got the proven people, process and technology to make this change a positive one.
What is EDI integration?
Assuming you know what EDI is (if not, check out this resource), an EDI integration is a connection between your business system (such as an ERP, WMS, etc.) and data going to or from your trading partner. This type of connection can be built using API or EDI transactions with the goal of optimizing your order process. Some businesses will build an EDI integration themselves and others realize they’d rather outsource that technology work to an EDI service.
What are the types of EDI integration?
EDI integration makes EDI compliance easier. Here are the 3 most common types:
Retailer EDI integrations
A common type of EDI integration in which a specific trading partner requires EDI in order to do business. Learn how to get compliant quickly.
System EDI integrations
An end-to-end solution that automates EDI with your business software. Explore our 200+ pre-built solutions for ERP, TMS, or other software systems.
EDI service integrations
Also known as EDI testing. This is for people who already utilize a third-party EDI service and need to comply with a trading partner that uses a different EDI service.
Some of our popular system integrations
- ERP Systems
- WMS Systems
- OMS / IMS Systems
Integration means one platform for ALL orders
If you’re looking for an integration, then you’ve probably noticed your internal team is spending a lot of time tracking down orders in multiple tools like vendor portals, e-commerce sites, marketplaces, and manual orders (via phone or email). It’s a common challenge of businesses experiencing growth. Imagine if your team looked like this:
8am
Start by logging into SPS Fulfillment
View your orders from retailers, e-commerce and marketplaces in one place.
After reviewing all orders and inventory, you move orders into the next stages of fulfillment or into your WMS system.
If applicable – You send a POA (855) to your retailer agreeing to the order. Fulfillment even has batch processing, so you can do multiple POAs at once.
10am
Still within SPS Fulfillment
You or someone on your team starts pulling orders from Fulfillment and begin picking and packing the orders.
If you use a logistics company – Using our 3PL Warehouse Services, SPS will communicate the orders and shipping information to your logistics company for them to pick and pack on your behalf.
If it’s an e-commerce, drop ship or marketplace order – You create a packing slip, shipping label and select a shipping method with Carrier Service.
If it’s an e-commerce or marketplace order – You copy and paste the tracking number into your online platform for the end customer.
3pm
Still within SPS Fulfillment
Warehouse team finishes labeling the boxes and puts it on the assigned retailer pallet(s).
If applicable – Then from Fulfillment, you send the ASN (856) to let the retailer know what’s packaged and when it should arrive.
If applicable – The you send Invoice (810) for order to the retailer.
If you use a logistics company – Once packed and ready for shipping, your logistics partner will send you Shipping Advice (945) and then you can send, or use Auto Rules, ASN (856).
And it all starts again tomorrow.
It’s time to switch from manual processes
If you’re looking up EDI integration, then you’ve already noticed that your business could be more efficient. Many customers have told us that before they switched to full-service EDI from SPS Commerce, they left money on the table (i.e. inaccuracy charges, late fees, extra staffing costs) by utilizing manual processes for so long.
Upgrading your business to an integrated EDI solution provides these benefits:
- Reduce order processing time
- Reduce order and mapping errors
- As order volume increases, your cost per document scales down
- Automate data exchange so you can ship faster
- Easily add new connections
- Achieve EDI compliance with all your retail partners
- Improved data accuracy between systems
Still not sure about EDI integration? Talk with an EDI specialist about your business problems.
Discover a better way to do business. Contact SPS today!
Start your integration project!
Contact SPS Commerce about your EDI needs and questions:
Still curious about who SPS Commerce is and what they do? Find out more.
Need an EDI integration with a trading partner?
Gain access to the largest network of up-to-date, mapped, EDI connections and more than 120,000 players in the retail space without having to configure or update any specs yourself. Here are just a few of our most popular EDI partners:
- Retail
- Grocery
- eCommerce
- Distributors
- Logistics
- Partners
Need an EDI integration with a trading partner?
Gain access to the largest network of up-to-date, mapped, EDI connections and more than 120,000 players in the retail space without having to configure or update any specs yourself.