UK business leaders have been sharing their insights on the state of EDI provision and their EDI solution in the new research by digital supply chain technology provider Transalis.
For several decades now, EDI solutions have brought universal time savings and cost efficiencies around the world, with retailers, manufacturers, warehousing and logistics companies, and others all making use of the technology.
As part of a survey on the challenges and opportunities, key decision makers across a broad range of business industries were asked what their ideal EDI solution would look like if they could design it themselves.
Did you know…
EDI, standing for Electronic Data Interchange, is the software solution that enables orders, invoices, Advance Shipment Notices (ASNs), and other essential documentation to be exchanged with supply chain partners.
New research report
Is EDI addressing the challenges of 21st-century commerce?
New research* reveals disparities between EDI user requirements and services delivered by EDI companies.
New research report
Is EDI addressing the challenges of 21st-century commerce?
New research* reveals disparities between EDI user requirements and services delivered by EDI providers.
It’s clear from what our respondents told us that EDI continues to be the bedrock of document exchange for companies engaging with their trading networks. However, there is currently a high level of dissatisfaction amongst users of EDI, where legacy providers have been failing on a number of key areas related to the challenges of 21st century commerce.
In our research survey, we asked senior decision makers working in operations, IT and finance what they wanted from their ideal EDI solution.
Transparent pricing
More than four in ten (41%) said pricing should be far more transparent.
Many companies do not think they are getting value for money from their current EDI provider. Legacy pricing still exists. Numerous EDI providers still charge VAN (Value-Added Network) fees, under which users are required to pay for every transaction based on the number of characters in a document.
The problem is that if a company’s trading partners changes over time, it can result in unexpected costs that wipe out potential profits from an upsurge in sales. In today’s volatile global trading environment of Brexit, digitisation and COVID, many businesses have experienced massive fluctuations.
Visibility
Nearly half of the respondents (49%) wish for greater visibility of trading data.
They told us that an ideal EDI solution should offer the ability to visualise and amend multiple linked documents and transactions in a single view. The solution should be easy to use, with nearly four out of ten respondents (38%) favouring a dashboard format. This is important because it strengthens visibility across the trading network, helping to underpin efficient management.
Easier integration
43% of respondents also cited better integration with in-house systems as a fundamental feature of an ideal EDI solution.
Their view is that if taking data directly into existing systems, the in-house IT team should be provided with a clearly formatted digital file that can be automatically mapped and uploaded.
For full integration, an API (Application Programming Interface) should pull in information from the EDI platform efficiently, with no disruptions or delays to Business As Usual (BAU) operations.
Enjoying the benefits
Respondents also confirmed our understanding that most businesses do not want to go ‘under the bonnet’ and get involved with the complex ins and outs of EDI. They just want to enjoy the benefits and rely on a provider to do the heavy lifting.
More self-management
At the same time, nearly four in ten (39%) said they would like the ability to manage their own EDI, so they’re not so reliant on an EDI provider.
Given today’s dynamic and integrated business environment, companies are often keen to innovate their own solutions for frictionless self-management of their trading partner network, rather than relying on a third party holding all the cards.
Providers that insist on offering a cumbersome managed service are likely to lose ground in favour of those that provide a more agile self-serve SaaS model.
The Transalis difference
Taking the main points flagged by respondents in turn, here is how Transalis benefits customers:
Pricing
We absolutely do not charge VAN fees for EDI solutions. Instead, we offer a flexible range of fixed-price options, with no additional costs, so businesses are clear on exactly what to expect and can plan their budgets accordingly.
Self-managed EDI
We are already well used to helping companies select and add trading partner connections to their EDI solutions. We have now added a new offering, Transalis eDI Instant™, to our range of options. eDI Instant is the first solution of its kind to offer online sign-up with immediate access to self-service, cloud-based EDI. There is no need to speak to a sales person to purchase eDI Instant and no need to contact a help desk for to set up, although our knowledgeable team are on hand if you need them.
Visibility
We provide a simple to navigate front-end dashboard that anyone involved in processing trading data within the organisation can easily use.
Integration
We offer set price EDI integration with more than 40 of the most common supply chain and accounting systems.
Heavy lifting
We do all the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. We liaise with your IT and operations functions to deliver an end-to-end solution that you are confident to work with.
Pricing
We absolutely do not charge VAN fees for EDI solutions. Instead, we offer a flexible range of fixed-price options, with no additional costs, so businesses are clear on exactly what to expect and can plan their budgets accordingly.
Self-managed EDI
We are already well used to helping companies select and add trading partner connections to their EDI solutions. We have now added a new offering, Transalis eDI Instant™, to our range of options. eDI Instant is the first solution of its kind to offer online sign-up with immediate access to self-service, cloud-based EDI. There is no need to speak to a sales person to purchase eDI Instant and no need to contact a help desk for to set up, although our knowledgeable team are on hand if you need them.
Visibility
We provide a simple to navigate front-end dashboard that anyone involved in processing trading data within the organisation can easily use.
Integration
We offer set price EDI integration with more than 40 of the most common supply chain and accounting systems.
Heavy lifting
We do all the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. We liaise with your IT and operations functions to deliver an end-to-end solution that you are confident to work with.
eDI Instant
As simple as 1,2,3. Buy EDI online in an instant and connect with your trading partner today
eDI Freedom
Build your own bespoke EDI solution according to your supply chain & integration needs
eDI Connect
Ideal for companies with many trading partners, high order volumes, requiring enhanced stock & sales reporting
eDI Connect+
Perfect for larger organisations requiring complete visibility across their supply chain to improve efficiencies
If you are thinking about switching your EDI solution but are worried about the implications, give us a call on 0845 123 3746 (calling from UK) or +44 1978 369 343 (for international callers), or via email sales@transalis.com to discuss your requirements.
* Independent research commissioned by Transalis Ltd: Is EDI addressing the challenges of 21st-century commerce?
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