EDI Basics -Setting up a Solid Foundation
EDI is far from the expensive, unruly, high-overhead beast many think it is... the truth is that a well scoped, right-sized solution, built on a solid foundation, well suited to a companies' current and developing needs can be a competitive advantage unlike any other. For the average supply chain participant, more than 80% of business data landed in an ERP/Financial system is generated outside of the companies' 4 walls... imagine handling all of that seamlessly, lights-out, cost effectively, and unlocking the value of all of that data to empower all of your various departments to be smarter and make decisions better and faster than ever before.
To accomplish this level of 'harmonization' you need the right elements, built on a solid foundation. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' answer, some companies are well suited with in-house software and expertise, some benefit most from a managed service, some require a hybrid approach for maximum efficiency and most companies have changing needs over time.
So Stack Smartly!
SERVICE LAYER
EDI VAN
This is your delivery layer... the partner you choose to physically deliver your EDI documents. Your partner needs to understand and align well with your needs and have the requisite technology and tools to support your business, delivered on terms that make sense.
SOFTWARE & NETWORK EDGE
MAPPING & CONNECTIVITY
This is how you connect to your Service Provider and/or Trading Partners directly, as well as how you handle the formatting, loading and workflow management of the data you send and receive.
INTERNAL SYSTEMS
INTELLIGENCE, AUTOMATION & VISIBILITY
Once you have the data, this is where the magic happens! Fuel your decision making, automate processes, enhance error-correction and feed virtually every business silo under your roof with good, consumption ready information... it's your data... Use It