Traditional EDI was built for a different era of trading with retail partners, one where manually filling out EDI documents was the norm. But today’s suppliers need something faster and far more connected.
That’s why more businesses are searching for a modern EDI platform built for B2B. One that automates compliance, integrates with internal systems, and scales with multichannel growth.
If your company is looking to expand to sell to large retailers, you may need to adopt a new system of order management. Traditional EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) involves transferring data between business partners, typically between suppliers and retailers. While this system aims to streamline processes by automating the exchange of documents like purchase orders and invoices, it often becomes a complex and cumbersome task for vendors transitioning to physical retail.
Here’s where traditional EDI falls short:
It’s costly: traditional EDI platforms require you to do custom mapping for each new retailer
It’s manual: Teams still have to download files and re-enter data into ERPs
It’s slow to scale: Each new retailer means new customizations
Traditional EDI systems are typically rigid and difficult to customize, making it challenging to adapt to the unique needs of different trading partners. Moreover, the implementation and ongoing management of EDI can be resource-intensive, requiring specialized software and technical expertise, which can be daunting for small to medium-sized businesses.
Traditional EDI is Labor IntensiveDespite its automated nature, traditional EDI still requires significant manual effort. Wholesale business employees often need to log into EDI portals, download orders, manually enter them into the ERP system, and update logistics software separately. As your EDI partnerships grow, so do your labor costs, as more time is spent on these repetitive tasks. |
The most effective way to handle EDI is by implementing EDI software that translates orders from any of your partners directly into your back-end software (think ERP). This reduces the time and effort needed to update clients while maximizing your employees’ efficiency. Instead, your team receives orders, prepares them for shipping, updates clients continuously, and invoices them, all without logging into multiple portals.
Taking a modern approach to EDI streamlines the entire order management process, eliminating manual labor and automating communication with customers at every step.
| Legacy EDI | Modern EDI Platforms |
|---|---|
| Static file transfers | API-based or real-time data exchange |
| Manual portal entry | Automated order ingestion |
| Standalone EDI tools | Integrated with ERP, WMS, eComm |
| Costly VAN charges | Transparent, scalable pricing |
| Reactive troubleshooting | Live dashboards + exception alerts |
Reduced Manual Input: With an OMS, you can automate your order management process while allowing your sales team to oversee orders and add value for your customers.
Simplified Communication: By directly pushing and pulling data from customers, you ensure they’re informed at every step, reducing the risk of fines from missed updates.
OrderEase functions as middleware between your sales channels and your business systems, making wholesalers like you fully EDI compliant and providing a central location to manage orders. We help manage large volumes of orders by automating the process from end to end.
OrderEase simplifies how wholesalers interact with large retail partners, handling EDI transactions without the typical challenges of manual intervention.
The benefits of transitioning from traditional EDI to a modern, automated approach cannot be overstated. From reducing labor involved in processing orders to simplifying interactions with retail partners, modernizing EDI can save your company time, effort, and money. Whether you're new to working with large retail partners or looking to scale your existing relationships, OrderEase can help streamline your order management process.
👉 Ready to modernize your EDI? Book a discovery call or explore our EDI integration software.