Have you been assigned the task of choosing an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) solution or a new provider to supply it? Many companies are choosing to outsource their EDI needs to an EDI provider versus managing their EDI capabilities internally.
Questions to Ask to Determine Your EDI Needs
What EDI tools are required?
EDI systems must include EDI tools for effective mapping and translation. These mapping and translation tools take your EDI data from one format and place it into another. This enables the end-to-end automation of the EDI data from the enterprise system. These tools minimize the barriers and complexities, speed up the integration process, and reduce the cost of custom development. There are many options available and choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. An EDI consultant like DCS can assist you in determining the best mapping and translation solutions for your business model and growth plans.
What type of EDI integration fits with your business model?
In order to reap the benefits of EDI, it is important that you have an effective EDI integration with your ERP, accounting, or other business systems. The best EDI solutions offer seamless integration with other supply chain systems such as your Warehouse Management System (WMS), Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), or Transport Management System (TMS). EDI can open up new opportunities to streamline your business process and reap additional benefits. The key to successful EDI is the automated, end-to-end flow of key supply chain data between systems of your trading partners.
Is your EDI solution scalable?
The best EDI solution allows your business to grow while keeping your costs down. As you grow, you connect to more trading partners. You need to ensure that the EDI solution you choose will be able to handle additional customers as well as suppliers. You may start out with implementing an EDI PO 850 and Advanced Shipment Notices (ASNs) 856s but your EDI system should also be able to accommodate additional EDI documents to support other processes such as shipping or warehouse management. It should also be able to handle all the common EDI standards including ANSI X12 and EDIFACT so you can trade seamlessly with all of your customers or suppliers.
Do you have adequate staffing to support your EDI?
Many companies have small or non-existent EDI departments. Demands from trading partners pose an immediate strain on the IT department leaving your business with few choices:
- Hire additional personnel to manage your EDI
- Outsource some or all of your EDI implementation and support needs
Outsourcing your EDI projects to an outsourcing specialist is a cost effective approach to meet the mandates from your trading partners. Third-party EDI consultants like DCS can offer you the expertise needed to maintain your EDI investment. Our Managed Services outsourcing model, provides budget certainty for you at a lower cost than hiring and training a FTE.
Why Chose DCS?
Since 1991, DCS has helped hundreds of companies realize the benefits of EDI and is recognized a leader providing customers with the right EDI solution to meet their B2B business model. We work with you to understand your business needs and design an efficient, cost-effective EDI solution. Contact us today for a no-cost assessment and let us help you ensure you have the right EDI solution for your continued growth.
Contact Us
Got questions? Need EDI support or development? Facing a challenge or decision and want honest advice from experts? Looking for tailored training? You are in the right place. We take the time to understand what you need and give clear, helpful guidance to get you on the right track. Complete the form and we will be in touch soon to see how we can help. Let’s make EDI work for you!