The largest corporations of the world, like Walmart and Amazon, have been using electronic data interchange within their ordering systems for decades. Even small family-owned businesses turn to an EDI ordering system for help with managing business operations. If you’re trying to successfully run a business, but struggling to manage the orders as they come in, an EDI ordering system is the solution.
The Basics of Electronic Data Interchange
First, let’s start with a basic definition of EDI. EDI is short for electronic data interchange. It has been a part of the business world for over 50 years, but EDI features have transformed drastically within the past decade. EDI essentially just means that important information can be exchanged between business partners using quick, easy, and secure methods.
Many types of documents can be exchanged with an EDI system. This includes everything from payment invoices to order forms to shipping details – basically all documents relating to business operations. Using EDI for B2B communication is highly efficient. It means that there is no need to send emails, spend money on postage, or wait around for a business partner to get back to you.
What is an EDI Order Management System?
EDI order management specifically works to manage order more efficiently. To the customer, the ordering process might seem extremely simple (at least let’s hope so). But the customer does not understand that adding an item to the shopping cart and making payment is just the first of many steps for managing the order.
There is so much involved in the order process, so much that many businesses can’t handle it without the help of an EDI order management system or order management solution (OMS). This is especially true when a business sees the growth that it has been hoping for. In this case, there is a lot more work involved, and this work is a lot for humans to hand on their own.
Luckily, an EDI order management system has got your back. The ordering process involves a ton of communication between customers, sellers, vendors, and anyone else involved within the supply chain. This communication will be 100% taken care of through EDI.
You no longer have to worry about sending invoices and shipping notifications receiving inventory lists and order forms. With EDI order management, everything is automated, meaning your life just got a whole lot easier.
The Benefits of EDI Order Management for Supply Chain Management
Other than the major benefit already mentioned – more efficient communication with customers and business partners – there are plenty more advantages to investing in EDI. The first is that you’ll receive transactions in real-time. This allows you to get the order fulfillment process started ASAP so that the product will be delivered on time (if not sooner). This ultimately leads to happier customers, ones that hopefully return again.
Another benefit is that you’ll be running a “greener” business operation. A source called OptiProERP says that “EDI offers an eco-friendly alternative to outdated paper-based processes that generate so much waste into the environment. Trees are saved and the planet rejoices.” So do something good for the environment by investing in EDI order management.