ScaleNorth helps organizations seamlessly integrate EDI and NetSuite ERP, connect with trading partners and maintain long-term EDI compliance.
Electronic data interchange (EDI) is one of those tried-and-true technologies that has really stood the test of time. Defined as the computer-to-computer exchange of business documents in a standard electronic format that most systems can accept, process and share, EDI helps companies reduce paperwork and streamline transactions.
With origins dating back to the 1960s, when it was first used to facilitate the U.S. Army’s shipment supply chains, EDI is used by some of the world’s largest corporations, including Walmart, Volkswagen and Scania Group.
“Today, industries use EDI integration to share a range of document types, from purchase orders to invoices to requests for quotations to loan applications and more,” IBM explains. “In most instances, these organizations are trading partners that exchange goods and services frequently as part of their supply chains and business-to-business (B2B) networks.”
With EDI, information is organized according to a specified format set by both parties, allowing an automated computer transaction that requires no human intervention or rekeying on either end. The EDI documents are processed by the computers, which follow a standard format that’s used to describe what each piece of information is and in what format (e.g., integer, decimal, mm/dd/yy).
There are several EDI standards in use today, including ANSI, EDIFACT, TRADACOMS and ebXML, each of which has several different versions. When two entities decide to exchange EDI documents, they must agree on the specific EDI standard and version. Once the transactions begin to flow, companies also have to maintain compliance with partner-specific EDI requirements. This not only ensures seamless communications, but it also helps organizations:
Avoid hefty fines for non-compliance. Trading partners may enforce strict compliance policies that, if not followed, can result in fees, chargebacks and other penalties.
Maintain data accuracy and efficiency. Manual data entry is error-prone, but EDI helps simplify business processes, eliminates inconsistent data formats and reduces manual work.
Build trust with their trading partners. When data can be exchanged in a reliable and timely manner, everyone wins.
Leverage new market opportunities. When companies prioritize seamless data exchange and understand the value of EDI compliance, they can position themselves to be able to do business with some of the world’s largest corporations.
EDI compliance mandates help companies standardize communications with their supplier community. Each retailer’s guidelines are unique, according to the EDI documents they use, timelines they require, and other factors. By using one EDI standard with all their suppliers, retailers can drive down costs and reduce supply chain inefficiencies. As a NetSuite Partner, ScaleNorth helps companies bridge these gaps, optimize their EDI connectivity and ensure a smooth (and compliant) flow of data between trading partners.
Managing the modern warehouse or distribution center has become increasingly complex in recent years, with the uptick in e-commerce orders being one of several outside forces that these facilities are dealing with. The persistent labor shortage, rising costs of doing business and customer demands for same-day and next-day orders are also putting additional pressure on fulfillment centers.
Integrating NetSuite WMS (Warehouse Management System) with EDI helps to alleviate some of these issues and lets warehouse managers focus on more important tasks. Order data gets populated automatically, thus eliminating manual entry errors and speeding up throughput. This, in turn, leads to happier customers.
When you integrate NetSuite WMS with EDI, you’ll be able to send advance shipping notices (ASNs) to customers after items are shipped; automatically create custom records with the required shipping data; and then convert the data into an EDI. Order processing flows like clockwork as data is automatically populated, manual entry errors are reduced and fulfillment timeframes shrink.
NetSuite WMS + EDI also provide a unified view of the supply chain, where inventory can be tracked in real-time, costly stockouts and overstocks avoided, and picking and packing processed optimized.
ScaleNorth has a deep technical bench of NetSuite integration consultants, with robust experience in EDI connections. Further, we’ve built a network of software providers that specialize in EDI integrations with NetSuite, allowing us to fully optimize our clients EDI integrations. SPS Commerce and TrueCommerce, for example, help companies quickly and seamlessly integrate NetSuite and EDI to create smooth, error-free data exchange with business partners.
As a universal NetSuite EDI connection, SPS delivers greater functionality with less cost and risk than traditional EDI software. The company’s fulfillment EDI solution for NetSuite supports ASNs for all fulfillment models. The platform also includes prebuilt integrations for Pacejet, RFSmart, Ozlink, ShipHawk and other WMS and shipping solutions.
TrueCommerce offers a cloud-based EDI integration with NetSuite that helps businesses grow and adapt to new supply chain challenges. This automated, efficient and easy-to-use solution is ideal for manufacturers, distributors and retailers. TrueCommerce’s integration for NetSuite is “Built for NetSuite” certified, leveraging NetSuite’s Web Services and available on SuiteApp.com.
TrueCommerce EDI for NetSuite optionally integrates purchase order and warehouse transactions as well, so companies can maximize the value of your supply chain investments and drive even more automation.
ScaleNorth’s certified NetSuite technical consultants are experts at integrating NetSuite with your business essential software to automate routine processes, improve visibility and boost efficiency. We’ll help you get connected quickly with your trading partners and stay compliant with those customers’ individual requirements. Contact us today to learn more.
