From the Desk of a Support Engineer...
EDI Explained
Nine years ago, EDI was a brand new concept to me. As an English Major who had just completed a PC Specialist course, I was definitely versed, but EDI was a concept I had never heard of. In my defense, even Google was trying to get the concept down in 2003. Luckily for me, I had some smart, patient teachers at B2BGateway. Even still, it took me months before I stopped picturing the Mystery Machine every time I was asked to send a document through the VAN (Value Added Network). Today after a great deal of experience with the concept, and supporting thousands of integrations, my visions of Scooby Doo have subsided, and I understand the value EDI can add to a business, along with cost savings, peace of mind and efficiency. I don’t have to get into extensive detail because Google has since been educated on the subject, but to put it simply, EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is a transfer and translation of data. Taking it one step further, integration removes the need for human intervention, and automates a painful process. As a vendor, instead of receiving a faxed PO, and manually entering it, then manually creating an invoice, the data is transferred electronically. B2BGateway’s job is to synergize the process. The data is translated, and imported into a client’s ERP system, and vice versa. There’s absolutely no room for manual errors and processing time has just gone from days to minutes.
For some companies, EDI is the glue that holds all the pieces together, and It is a win for a Support Engineer when a client comes to us asking if we can reach out to a trading partner on their behalf to see if they are EDI capable. B2BGateway supports thousands of companies from various industries, many whom are small vendors to big Retailers. The majority of B2BGateway customers contact us because they have been advised by a trading partner that they will need to be EDI complaint in order to get business. In many cases, this is a new concept and one they do not enter into willing. On the opposite side of the coin, two B2BGateway clients come to mind when I think of companies who understand the benefits of EDI and integration, Merchsource LLC and Neilmed Pharmaceuticals, both long-time partners of B2BGateway. Both companies are mid-size with a moderate number of employees, who seek out ways to integrate and automate as many trading partners as possible. Merchsource currently has approximately 90 EDI trading partners, and expects to add 5-10 more this year. Neilmed has about 70 EDI relationships and expects to bring many more live this year. Both companies understand that EDI is the way to do business today; it’s secure, efficient, and at the very least, a green way to do business.
I expect that in another 9 years, EDI will not be a word people turn to Google for help with, and more small companies will understand the value EDI can bring to their businesses. In fact, it will be part of everyday business vocabulary, and taught in school. Until then, feel free to give me a call if you need an education from a Support Engineer who speaks your language!
Tracy Sheehan
Senior Support Engineer
|
