TrueCommerce EDI Buyer's Guide
TrueCommerceEDI Buyer’s Guide
TrueCommerce EDI Buyer’s GuideAs supply chains become more complex, EDI offers the technologyyou need to connect your systems, trading partners, demandchannels and customers. Finding the right provider, however, isessential to scaling your business and achieving your goals. In thisguide, we’ll cover what you need to know about EDI, how differentEDI offerings work, and what to look for in a provider. There are alsolinks to additional educational resources, and a printable checklistyou can use when evaluating different EDI vendors!WHAT IS EDI?EDI is an acronym for Electronic Data Interchange, which isa standard protocol that allows disparate business systems &revenue channels to communicate end-to-end, automatically.Essentially, EDI creates a bridge between your internal systems,your partners’ systems, and a variety of sales platforms, such asonline marketplaces or eCommerce storefronts. By automating thetransfer of data between these systems, EDI can quickly processlarge order volumes, eliminate errors and delays, and streamlinecommunications across your supply and demand channels.WHO NEEDS EDIEDI has been around since the 1980s, but as the push for digitaland agile supply chains increases, EDI has become an integralpart of the business landscape. In 2019 alone, EDI transactionsaccounted for nearly 80% of all B2B electronic sales.Some businesses need to use EDI because it’s required bymajor retailers like Walmart and Target. Others choose to useEDI to accelerate their order processing and scale their businessoperations. EDI is used by both B2B and B2C businesses, includingmanufacturers, suppliers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers andothers.Wondering if EDI is right for your business? If any of the conditionsbelow apply to you, you’re in the right place:h My product just got picked up by a major retailer who requiresEDIh Time-consuming manual processes are stopping my businessfrom growingh I’m frustrated by having to retype every order from one systeminto anotherh I need to be able to manage my orders remotelyh I’m overwhelmed by emails, PDFs and faxesh I want to make my business more efficient and productiveMultienterprise Commerce Networks (One-to-Many)These networks emerged most recently, in the last decade. Theyprovide a modern, unified approach to support omnichanneland the growing need of enterprises to connect with manysupply and demand channels, including EDI, eCommerce, onlinemarketplaces, suppliers, retailers and more.See How Our Foundry Platform Can ConnectAll Your ChannelsSingle Channel Networks (One-to-One)This type of network generally supports EDI only, with fewexceptions, and provides all the components required for EDI, suchas mapping, translation, and connectivity to trading partners. Ascompanies expand to sell via multiple channels, such as digitalcommerce marketplaces and drop ship programs, they may findthat single-channel networks restrict their omnichannel growth.Value Added Network (VAN)VANs are a more traditional connectivity method through whicha business sends transactions between multiple trading partners.VANs use a virtual mailbox to manage incoming documents, whichmust be manually checked and processed by the receiving party.These networks are becoming less popular as new connectivitymethods are adopted by trading partners, such as AS2, AS3, FTP,SFTP and others.EDI SYSTEMSEDI in the Cloud (Web EDI)Web-based EDI uses the cloud instead of physical on-premisesservers. In addition to reducing IT needs and hardware andsoftware costs, web-based EDI lets users manage their EDI fromanywhere with wi-fi. Because the software is continually updatedand backed up in the cloud, there’s also no need for costly newsoftware installations.End-to-End Integrated EDIThis type of EDI solution enables streamlined communicationsbetween trading partners by eliminating the need for multi-vendorsolutions. End-to-End EDI combines a value added network withtrading partner maps and an EDI system that directly connects todemand channels and business systems such as ERPs.TYPES OF EDI SOLUTIONSOn-Premises EDIThis list touches on several popular EDI software and solutionoptions. However, many vendors offer a combination of approachesto better serve their customers.On-Premises solutions use physical, on-site servers to deploy EDIsoftware, offering businesses complete control over their solution,including security and data access. Business can choose to housetheir servers on-location, or use a “hosted” solution, where theservers reside in a third-party data center. Businesses choosing tomaintain their own servers will need to invest heavily in IT, whilethose using a third party may split maintenance and securityresponsibilities.Learn About Our Web-based, End-to-EndIntegrated EDI Solution2EDI NETWORKSwww.truecommerce.com
TrueCommerce EDI Buyer’s GuideOn-premises EDI is generally deployed by companies withsignificantly high transaction volumes, up to millions per month,which justifies investment in internal IT and mapping resourcesinstead of outsourcing EDI needs. However, this option isbecoming less popular as alternative fully managed service EDIsolutions are offered.COMMON EDI CODESThere are hundreds of EDI codes used for a range of orderprocessing communications, but most businesses will use only asmall subset of them regularly. The codes listed here are some ofthe most used EDI transaction sets across all industries.h EDI 850 – Purchase Orderh EDI 855 – Purchase Order AcknowledgementHow Can EDI Benefit My Companyh EDI 856 – Advance Ship Noticeh EDI 810 – InvoiceBENEFITS OF INTEGRATED EDI#1: Eliminate Manual Effort and ErrorsIntegrated EDI facilitates the translation and transmission of orderdata, so you don’t have to waste time with retyping. In additionto accelerating order processing and fulfillment, integrated EDIalso speeds invoice and payments processes, so you can quicklyrecognize revenue.h EDI 846 – Inventory Inquiry/Adviceh EDI 940 – Warehouse Shipping Orderh EDI 945 – Warehouse Shipping Adviceh EDI 997 – Functional Acknowledgement#2: Reduce Lead Times and Inventory LevelsLearn More About EDI Transaction CodesEDI allows you to send and receive documents in a fraction ofthe time, which can drastically reduce delivery turnaround times.Plus, EDI documents like Advance Shipping Notices help you stayinformed of incoming deliveries, so you can get ahead of stockshortages.WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN EDI PROVIDER#3: Improve Supplier RelationshipsNo more lengthy phone calls or back-and-forth emails. EDIprovides automated, accurate trading partner communications toensure the right shipments get to the right locations, on time, allwhile reducing chargebacks.#4: Cut CostsEDI enables your business to scale while simultaneously reducingoverhead, personnel requirements and time spent managingorders. With electronic document processing, you won’t need tospend on paper, document storage, or postage.#5: Position Yourself for SuccessHundreds of top retailers and e-tailers require EDI documents fromtheir vendors. By using automated, compliant EDI, you’ll be able tooffer better service at lower prices, making you more attractive tonew trading partners.“EDI makes order processing much faster andeasier because all our order data is handledautomatically, which also reduces the potentialfor errors.”Blast Zonewww.truecommerce.comAt this point, you understand what EDI is and how it can help yourbusiness. You’re thinking about the types of EDI solutions thatwill work best for your business and exploring your options. So,how can you tell which EDI provider is right for you? Use the keyelements below when judging different vendors, so you can feelconfident in your final choice.You can also use this list to re-evaluate a current provider who maynot be providing exactly what you need!1. ExperienceHow long has your provider been offering EDI? Have they workedwith companies of your size, in your industry? If you’re choosingEDI to meet a trading partner mandate, have they worked with thatpartner before? Can they show proven success for a business likeyours? Make sure the providers you’re considering understand howto address the specific needs of your business.Learn About TrueCommerce’s Backgroundand Expertise2. Total Cost of OwnershipTo ensure you’re getting the best value, you’ll want to find an EDIprovider with flexible options that can meet your current andfuture needs. Keep in mind that while some vendors might havehigher up-front costs, others will require more long-term spend.We recommend calculating the total cost of ownership based on3-5 years of use to get the best understanding of different solutionprices.3
TrueCommerce EDI Buyer’s GuideWhile most EDI providers will allow (and encourage) upgrading,many will not allow downgrades during slow periods; a providerwho offers both can help you manage costs through market shifts.Additionally, many EDI customers are surprised by hidden fees, soit’s essential to review the fine print of your SOWs and contracts tosee what services are or are not included. Here are a few fees tolook out for:6. Scalabilityh What is the price per transaction, both included in the allotmentand more importantly, the fee per transaction when you goOVER your allotment? This is an area companies are hoping youdon’t catch as you pay a huge overage charge once you exceedyour allotment.h eCommerce/Marketplaces Integrationsh How much does the provider charge per trading partner permonth?h Per document subscription charges.h User or labeling subscription charges.h Upgrades and updates that are either not included or do notinclude services to assist with the migration.h Network Transaction Plans that don’t allow you upgrade, or moreimportantly downgrade until the end of a yearly agreement.3. Integrations & ConnectivityIf you use an accounting or ERP business system, storefrontor marketplaces, make sure the EDI provider you choose has aproven history and understanding of your ERP technology. Youshould also ask potential vendors about their support system. Thebest vendors handle all their integrations in house, but others relyon third-party consulting firms, which can be a hinderance whendealing with technical questions and concerns.Your ERP needs may change as your business evolves, so youshould ask about the process if you want to switch or upgradeother systems. You want a solution that can fit into your existingmodel but can also transfer to other systems with minimaldisruption.4. Solution FeaturesYour business needs may be very different from someone else’s,so it’s imperative to know what kind of features each EDI solutionhas. Here are a few examples of EDI solution features you mightfind important:h A Network of trading partner maps that are automaticallyupdated to stay complianth Reporting and Advanced Analyticsh Support for translating PDF and Emails into EDI5. SecurityWhether you choose a hosted or cloud-based EDI vendor, securityis key to protecting your business transaction documents andsensitive information. Features such as at-rest encryption, SOCcertifications, GDPR compliance and data retention/disasterrecovery help keep your data safe.4Maybe you’re just starting with EDI, or maybe you have a hostof demand channels and supply chain processes on your mind.Choosing a provider with multiple supply chain solutions enablesyou to easily expand your integrations, without needing to jugglemultiple providers. Common products/services EDI providers alsooffer include:h Shipping Softwareh Product Information Managementh Drop Shippingh Vendor Managed Inventory7. Customer SupportWhen something goes wrong, you need an EDI partner who willanswer the phone, ready to help. Some vendors outsource theirsupport; between limited hours, hold times, transfers betweenoperators, and a lack of specific technical knowledge, this makes itdifficult and frustrating to resolve issues. Instead, we recommendfinding a provider with in-house customer support, in which theemployees are directly experienced with your systems and cananswer your questions and concerns quickly.Ask prospective vendors about their support systems, includingavailability and contact methods. You’ll also want to inquire aboutproactive monitoring and updates that can sniff out and solveproblems before you even see them.8. Reputation & RecognitionUnfortunately, you can’t rely on a business’s website or salesrepresentatives to give you a holistic view of their business. Tounderstand how a company measures up against the competition,you’ll want to look at accredited third-party, independent websitesand research organizations for more details. These can range from indepth reports, to product comparisons, to verified customer reviews.See What Gartner, IDC, TrueCommerceCustomers, Peers and Respected IndustryPublications Have to Say About TrueCommerceHere’s a list of established, third party evaluation and review sitesyou can use to see how industry experts and customers feel aboutyour prospective vendors.h Gartner, Inc. — Independent Research Firm with Reports onDifferent Vendorsh IDC, Inc. — Independent Research Firm with Reports on DifferentVendorsh G2 Crowd — Highly Respected Software-Focused Review Siteh Capterra — Highly Respected Software-Focused Review Siteh Better Business Bureau — Customer Reviews and ComplaintsCenterwww.truecommerce.com
TrueCommerce EDI Buyer’s GuideEDI PROVIDER EVALUATION CHECKLISTFinding the right EDI provider is a complex process—in addition to price, you’ll need to consider service models, softwaredeployment, integrations and more. This checklist is designed to help you compare different providers in key productand service areas. Make sure to add your own business-specific questions in the blank spaces at the bottom for apersonalized checklist.Selection CriteriaNumber of employeesHeadquartersLocationsYears of ExperienceTrueCommerceVendor 2Vendor 3Comments550 Pittsburgh, PAUnited States, UK,Ireland, Denmark, China25 Customer & Analyst ReviewsBBB ComplaintsNoneG2 Crowd Rating4.5/5Capterra Rating4.5/5Gartner Peer Insights Rating4.6/5Gartner Magic Quadrant4IDC Marketscape4Software/Platform Features5Pre-Mapped Trading Partners92,000 Supported Transaction TypesAll Transaction TypesSupported Transaction StandardsEDI, XML, CSV, PDFCommunication TypeAs1, AS2, FTP, sFTP,FTPS, HTTPSMulti-User Support4Cloud-Based Architecture4Advanced Analytics and Reporting4Asynchronous Processing4Alerts4Events Scheduling4Data Retention4Mobile Devices Support4Exception Management4www.truecommerce.com
TrueCommerce EDI Buyer’s GuideSelection CriteriaTrueCommerceVendor 2Vendor 3CommentsIntegrationsEven if you aren’t choosing an integrated solution, we recommend you look into vendors’ integration capabilities, which may becomeimportant as your business grows. Integrations can range from cloud platforms like marketplaces and eCommerce storefronts, toback-office systems such as accounting, ERP, WMS, TMS, OMS and IMS systems.ERP/Accounting SystemsAcumatica, MicrosoftDynamics, Sage,QuickBooks, NetSuite,SAP and 200 moreOnline Marketplaces100 connections,including Amazon,Ebay, Rakuten, Houzz,Walmart and TargeteCommerce PlatformsShopify, Magento,WooCommerce andBigCommerceServicesImplementation Provided by Vendoror Third PartyProvided byTrueCommerceRemote/On-Site Implementation4New Partner Mapping4Trading Partner Testing4EDI Testing4Integration Testing4Integration CapabilitiesEDI solutions come with a variety of integration features that offer data control and efficiency. Consider each vendor’s ability to providethese functions, which may be helpful as your business scales.API and Service-Based Integration4File Integration4Item Translation4Price Validation4Customer Creation4Sales Module4Purchasing Module43PL Module4Inventory Module4In-House or Third-PartyIn HouseIntegration Development6www.truecommerce.com
TrueCommerce EDI Buyer’s GuideSelection CriteriaTrueCommerceVendor 2Vendor 3CommentsSupport24/7 Support Availability4Regional and Global Support4Included Maintenance4Proactive Mapping Updates4Proactive Transaction Monitoring4Chat Support4Knowledge Base/Self-Training Tools4Optional On-Site Service4Defined SLAs4Solution EvaluationWhen discussing your EDI solutions with key stakeholders, consider use cases and how each provider executes on those needs. Usethe space below to evaluate your use cases.Use Case #1Met Not Met Work Around Met Not Met Work Around Met Not Met Work Around Use Case #2Met Not Met Work Around Met Not Met Work Around Met Not Met Work Around Use Case #3Met Not Met Work Around Met Not Met Work Around Met Not Met Work Around Use Case #4Met Not Met Work Around Met Not Met Work Around Met Not Met Work Around Use Case #5Met Not Met Work Around Met Not Met Work Around Met Not Met Work Around Cost of OwnershipDifferent EDI providers have different up-front and monthly fees. To accurately compare them, we recommend looking at the total costfor the first 3 years.Year 1Set-Up FeesRecurring FeesYear 2Set-Up FeesRecurring Fees7www.truecommerce.com
TrueCommerce EDI Buyer’s GuideSelection CriteriaTrueCommerceVendor 2Vendor 3CommentsYear 3Set-Up FeesRecurring FeesTotal 3-Year InvestmentAdditional Products/ServiceseCommerce Platform4Product and Catalog Management4Packing, Shipping andDrop Ship Solutions4SecurityProtecting the confidentiality and integrity of both your and your partners’ data is essential. Make sure the vendors you consider canboth protect your data from outside influences and recover it in the case of an emergency.Encryption at Rest4Two-Factor Authentication4User Activity Log4SOC Certification4GDPR Compliant4SOC-Certified Data Centers4Disaster Recovery4Your Questions1.2.3.4.*TrueCommerce fields Updated July 2020.ABOUT TRUECOMMERCETrueCommerce is the most completeway to integrate your businessacross the supply chain, integratingeverything from EDI to inventorymanagement, to fulfillment, to digitalstorefronts and marketplaces, to yourbusiness system and to whatevercomes next. That’s why thousands ofcompanies across various industriesrely on us.TrueCommerce.Do business in every direction.THE TRUECOMMERCE TEAM IS HERE TO HELP!If you have any questions regarding TrueCommerce, or how our solutions applyto your business, our passionate, customer focused team is here for you.Call us today at 888.430.4489www.truecommerce.com Copyright 2020 True Commerce, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited, andinformation contained herein is subject to change without notice. TrueCommerce is a registered trademark of True Commerce, Inc. Allother trademarks are property of their respective owners.
TrueCommerce EDI Buyer's Guide As supply chains become more complex, EDI offers the technology . and provides all the components required for EDI, such as mapping, translation, and connectivity to trading partners. . h EDI 940 - Warehouse Shipping Order h EDI 945 - Warehouse Shipping Advice h EDI 997 - Functional Acknowledgement
4010 EDI documents (note EDIFACT transaction sets will be required by Amazon EU divisions): EDI 753 - Request for Routing Instructions EDI 855 - PO Acknowledgement EDI 754 - Routing Instructions EDI 856 –Advance Ship Notice EDI 810 - Invoice EDI 860 –PO Change Request EDI 846 - Inventory Advice/Update EDI 865 –PO Change Seller
collection of EDI data is received in a batch. The batch of EDI data includes a plurality of EDI documents and each of the plurality of EDI documents has at least one EDI transaction corresponding to a transaction type. The EDI transactions included in the EDI documents are identified by decoding the received EDI data according to EDI standards.
4010 EDI documents (note EDIFACT transaction sets will be required by Amazon EU divisions): EDI 753 - Request for Routing Instructions EDI 855 - PO Acknowledgement EDI 754 - Routing Instructions EDI 856 – Advance Ship Notice EDI 810 - Invoice EDI 860 – PO Change Request
1. What is EDI? 2. What is the 'Omni-hannel' 3. Omni-Channel EDI solutions 4. Where does EDI fit into the marketplace? 5. Third Party Logistics (3PL) EDI 6. Online Retailers and CommerceHub EDI 7. eCommerce Platform EDI 8. B2BGateway EDI and QuickBooks Online 9. Pricing 10. Customer Service 11. B2BGateway Fact Sheet & Trading Partners 12 .
B2BGateway EDI Thru for QuickBooks Overview This user guide specifically pertains to the B2BGateway EDI Thru tool that connects to TrueCommerce QuickBooks clients. PreInstall Instructions If you are currently using EDI Thru for a Fishbowl integration with B2BGateway, do not install this version.
MAPPING Involves transforming an EDI document into another format (such as XML, a flat file, a delimited file, etc.) TRANSLATION The process of accepting in bound EDI data, or preparing an outbound file for transmission COMMUNICATIONS Refers to the transmission of the EDI transaction Accepted. The EDI message conforms to all agreed upon EDI .
EDI Notepad EDI Notepad is the ultimate EDI editor, providing all those clever features you've always wanted when working with EDI transactions. These features include several viewing modes, syntax validation for all EDI standards and versions, edit tools to edit or build EDI documents,
the ISO 14001 standard and provide step-by-step procedures, sample documents or templates, and tips for developing and implementing an EMS that is appropriate to the organization and its operations. Please remember that this is a guidance document and not a rigid instruction manual. All of the ISO elements must be addressed in your program and meet the ISO requirements, but you will notice .
