Your sales team has managed to secure a contract with a major retailer which will help your business grow massively over the coming years, but what they’d failed to recognize is the IT requirements for supplying this customer. They have specific EDI needs and your current solution doesn’t comply with their system. So how can you find the best web EDI solution that will allow for integration with this and any future retailers?
What is a Web EDI Solution?
First things first, what is a web EDI solution? Well, like an internet based EDI solution it interchanges data with third parties such as supplies and customers. That’s where the comparison finishes. A web-based system is based on a web browser rather than a sperate piece of software. So the advantages are obvious, you can log into the system from any browser on any device. The software is hosted by the third party supplier and is being updated in line with retailer requirements so that it integrates with as many as possible. All the testing goes on in the background so you don’t have to do it. There’s a support team to help you integrate with your customers. And the entry cost is low as you just pay a monthly subscription fee for it.
A further factor to consider is EDI compliance. Whether you’re complying with your large retail customer’s rules on data, or its government legislation, web based EDI solutions are already compliant and are constantly being improved as legislation changes. As the fast paced e-commerce market develops your IT solutions need to adapt, and with web based software the onus is on your software provider not your organization to do this.
Does a Web EDI Solution Integrate with ERP Systems?
How will adopting a web EDI system affect your internal processes? While before you managed orders and inventory through your ERP system, will this all need to swap across to the EDI web system? These are some of the main questions people have once they realize that the web EDI software will be separate to their current systems. Well just as with your customers and suppliers, the providers of web EDI software have built integration tools for all major ERP systems so that its easy for you to connect up your inventory information, billing, and other internal functions.
What are the Alternatives to Web Based EDI Solutions?
The alternative to a web based EDI solution is an Internet EDI solution which is where the software is purchased one off and stored on your own servers. It then uses standard internet protocols to transact data. The advantage of it is that costs will be lower as you increase your volume of data transacted compared to web based EDI solutions. However, the drawback is that you are reliant on the software provider to update the software so that it continues to integrate with suppliers and customers. Usually for smaller organizations web based solutions for EDI are the best solution, whereas as the organization gets bigger, they swap to an internet based EDI software solution.
To read more on topics like this, check out the technology category.
Leave a Reply