eZCom Software Blog

Electronic Data Interchange, or EDI, is how brands and trading partners (retailers) communicate. It’s how they transfer data such as invoices, purchase orders and shipping notices. Done right, EDI reduces manual errors, speeds up processing times and, generally, strengthens the relationship between brand and trading partner…

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just days away, peak retail season is upon us. Brands are in final prep mode ensuring that all systems are go. And for those that have trading partner relationships with retailers, ensuring that their EDI is ready for the holiday crush is a top priority…

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems are essential for businesses that need efficient, standardized communication with trading partners. An EDI audit helps assess the reliability, accuracy, and security of your EDI setup. Here’s a step-by-step guide to conducting an effective EDI audit for your brand. Define the Scope and Objectives Before starting, determine the scope of the audit. Identify key areas like data integrity, system security, compliance with industry standards, and partner-specific requirements. Set clear objectives, such as identifying errors in data transmission, evaluating system security, and improving transaction accuracy. If you’re working with a full-service EDI provider, this is the perfect time to bring them in on the audit. Assess Compliance with Standards Review whether your EDI setup complies with…

Congrats! You’re adding a new trading partner! Next step? Requesting an EDI setup. Here’s how that process happens at eZCom… eZCom will assign your EDI setup ticket to an EDI implementation specialist. This specialist will be your eZCom contact throughout the entire EDI onboarding process. Your specialist will create your EDI qualifier and ID (a 2-character alphanumeric code that prefaces the ID) as well as establish an EDI connection with the requested trading partner. The specialist will also email you with the next steps and any information they need from you and your company to move forward. You will be copied on all relevant email communications between eZCom and your trading partner, ensuring that you are always aware of where…

At eZCom Software, we offer an API license to help our clients integrate their business systems with our EDI solutions. These integrations streamline order management, shipments, invoices, and more – ultimately improving efficiency and accuracy. Let’s run down what it takes to set up and maintain an API license and what the associated costs go towards. What Does the API License Include? When customers request an API license, eZCom provides them with an API key that grants access to our system. From there, customers can build their own integrations, automating processes such as order management, shipments, invoices, and inventory. The API also integrates with various internal systems, including ERPs, WMSs, and accounting software, allowing for a truly connected business environment…

Our clients are sometimes caught off guard or are surprised when we ask: Can we get your fax number? Fax?!?! That’s how EDI happened back in the 80s! True, but we still ask for it. Here’s why. At eZCom, we assign each Lingo user a unique EDI ID and qualifier that are used to send and receive EDI documents. By using a unique number – a fax or telephone number – as the basis of creation, we keep the EDI ID specific to your company. The ID is used as an electronic stamp of your company to label your electronic mailbox. This mailbox receives all of your EDI orders and marks your outgoing EDI documents with your company EDI ID…

Initiating the EDI implementation process might feel daunting for brands, but with the right partner guiding the way, it’s not as arduous as you might think. Here’s how we go about it with our clients. We start with the GS1 Company Prefix The GS1 Company Prefix is a 6-10 digit number used as the basis for assigning UPCs to each product being sold. This prefix is used by Lingo to generate the brand’s unique GS1-128 carton label numbers. If these label numbers are repeated, the brand will receive chargebacks. This is one of many ways that eZCom protects Lingo users from chargebacks and fees. The GS1 Company Prefix is absolutely necessary when the vendor is required to send EDI ASNs…

For businesses selling to retailers via EDI, managing inventory and orders across multiple channels can be a significant challenge. While Shopify excels at keeping inventory up to date for online platforms with native integrations, it struggles to map to the thousands of retailers involved in EDI transactions. This gap can make it difficult for businesses to maintain accurate inventory levels across all channels. That’s where eZCom's Lingo comes in. Lingo provides a powerful inventory sync feature that updates all inventory levels from your EDI-connected retailers, as well as other platforms, directly into Shopify. By leveraging Lingo, you can transform Shopify into a mini ERP, ensuring seamless synchronization of inventory, orders, and shipments, and keeping your operations running smoothly. What is…

Electronic Data Interchange, or EDI, is largely universal across industries. That said, a number of industries have their own nuances and requirements when it comes to EDI. The grocery industry has a handful of industry-specific EDI documents and document sets. Here’s a quick overview. Grocery Industry-Specific EDI Documents Grocery Products Purchase Order (EDI 875) Grocery retailers may use the EDI 875 to place orders with suppliers. It includes details about the products being ordered, such as item numbers and quantities. Grocery Products Invoice (EDI 880) If the 875 order is used, suppliers will use the EDI 880 to request payment for products shipped. It includes details such as item numbers, quantities, and prices of the products delivered. Ship Notice/Manifest (EDI…