1. EDI as a Full Time Job
Someone in your office is keying invoices or other documents into a web portal – or ‘doing EDI’ is their full-time job.
2. Fear of the EDI Setup
You would rather rely on faxes and phone calls to take orders than go through the hassle of setting up another EDI trading partner.
3. Help Isn’t Available
Getting help from your provider or VAN is like sending a signal to an alien planet it takes 3 days for the message to get there and when they finally respond you’re not sure you are speaking the same language.
4. Needs Not Met
You’ve been bullied into a solution selected by one or more of your trading partners – shouldn’t a ‘solution’ fit your needs since you’re the one paying for it?
5. No End in Sight
You hired a consultant for your EDI project 3 years ago and there is no end in sight
6. Trading Partner Issue
You are still dealing with one issue for a single trading partner and your provider just can’t figure it out.
7. Headache Emails
You start your day with a million emails regarding EDI issues
8. Learning a New Language
You’re still trying to learn the difference between 4010 and 4030. SAC and TXI, segments and elements so you can have a meaningful conversation with your provider.
9. Missing Orders
You feel like Sherlock Holmes trying to solve “The Mystery of the Missing Order” at least once a month
10. Reference Guide
Your monthly bill requires its own ‘Reference Guide’ to decipher, and you’re never sure you’re getting what you paid for.
Conclusion
Your supply chain automation system shouldn’t be a pain to maintain, add extra work that adds no value to your business, or require you to be an expert on all the ins- and outs of EDI. Your team should be able to focus on driving your business and EDI should be a seamless, uninterrupted connection between you and your customers or suppliers. If you’re still struggling with any of the above, you don’t have an ‘EDI solution‘ – you have an EDI problem.
Want to learn more about EDI?
Here is the complete guide to EDI
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Download: EDI Buyers Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
Signs of an underperforming EDI system include slow processing times, frequent errors, difficulties in scaling with business growth, and challenges in integrating with other systems. Monitoring these aspects can help identify potential issues.
Slow processing times can indicate inefficiencies in data exchange, leading to delays in transactions and order fulfillment. It hampers the agility of the supply chain, affecting overall business responsiveness.
High error frequency suggests a lack of data accuracy and reliability in the EDI system. Frequent errors can lead to disruptions in supply chain processes, impacting relationships with trading partners and affecting the overall efficiency of the business.
Scalability is crucial for an EDI system to accommodate business growth. If the system cannot scale with increased transaction volumes or additional trading partners, it may lead to performance issues and hinder the adaptability of the business.
Integration challenges can lead to difficulties in connecting the EDI system with other business applications and systems. Seamless integration is essential for a cohesive and efficient flow of data across different aspects of the business, contributing to overall operational efficiency.
