Almost every business is looking for ways to save money and efficiency. Electronic Data Interchange, or EDI, is one area ripe for cost savings and process improvement. However, you may not have the time or expertise to evaluate an EDI provider and make an upgrade.
If you're stuck in an EDI rut, it may be time to explore new options for your EDI processes.
Importance of a Turnkey EDI Solution Provider
As your business grows, what you require from an EDI solution can evolve. Fortunately, the right turnkey provider can save you time, money, and headaches.
Perhaps the most obvious benefit of working with a turnkey EDI provider is that they can take care of all of the technical aspects of setting up and maintaining your EDI system for you. The right system can also help you scale as your business grows, meaning you won't have to worry about outgrowing what you are using or replacing it entirely every time your business experiences significant growth.
What Should You Look for in an EDI Provider?
When you're looking for an EDI provider, you want to find a company that will give you the right software and services to meet your specific needs. But with so many suppliers, how do you know which one is right for you? Generally, you want your EDI provider to:
- Focus on customer support: This is critical. You need to be able to speak to a real person when you have questions or problems.
- Have integration expertise: Ensure the provider has experience integrating EDI with your software. They should be able to take care of everything in-house.
- Be streamlined: You need a supplier to get things done quickly and efficiently. The last thing you want is to wait for something to be fixed for days or weeks.
5 Critical Things to Look for in Your EDI Provider
If you're experiencing bottlenecks in your processes, long ordering turnaround times, and poor integrations, it is time to upgrade. Here are the top 5 reasons to consider changing your EDI provider:
1.Automation
Data can come from sales orders, customer information, inventory levels, and much more. All of your data needs to be processed, and if you're still using outdated processes or have your data spread out over many different platforms, it can be tough to keep track of everything.
Benefits of Automation:
- Prevents errors and chargebacks
- Streamlined processes
- Keeps track of all of your data in one place
- Historical data for analysis
2. Flexibility
Flexibility is one of the key reasons businesses choose to change their EDI provider. The ability to quickly adapt to new and improved business processes and requirements is essential in today’s constantly evolving business landscape. In some cases, they may be able to develop new features to meet a client’s specific needs.
Risks of Inflexible EDI
- Loss in productivity
- Frustrated employees
- Lost revenue
3. Chargeback Volumes
When retailers receive products from their vendors, they expect the shipments to be accurate, error-free, and arrive with the correct labeling on the cartons. In particular, when they scan the GS1-128 label, it should match perfectly to the ASN (Advanced Shipment Notice) that must be received prior to the shipment. If the GS1-128 label isn’t scannable, or if it is placed in an incorrect location, has inaccurate data, or does not match with the ASN, the retailer may levy a costly chargeback.
Chargebacks really impact your bottom line. They can also can damage a supplier’s reputation and result in retailers not wanting to do business with you. Having an EDI provider with robust validation can help you avoid costly chargebacks.
4.Repurpose Staff
By seamlessly automating the data exchange between various platforms, EDI frees up employees’ time to focus on other business areas where they can make a significant impact. This leads to a better use of staff and resources which reduces costs associated with errors. Improving data accuracy generally leads to better decision making and more effective operations
5.Increased Customer Satisfaction
The right EDI provider can make all the difference in efficiency, compliance, and, most importantly, customer satisfaction and loyalty. Ultimately, the provider you choose should be able to deliver a high level of customer service and support.
EDI can be complex and technical and issues are bound to arise from time to time. When they do, you need to be able to speak to a real person who can help resolve problems quickly.
Need More EDI Vendor Advice?
We create tailored-made EDI and digital commerce solutions. We would love to talk with you about your options. Schedule a meeting to learn more.
If you need to streamline and automate your data – reach out and we will be happy to listen and help build the perfect solution for your brand.
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If you need to streamline and automate your data – reach out and we will be happy to listen and help build the perfect solution for your brand.
