EDI Implementation
Panning an EDI software system implementation across a trading community is a complicated activity to manage. This section provides an overview of the EDI implementation and a look at the factors involved in each step of the process.
- Organizational Management Structure
- Review of Business Strategy
- EDI System Solution Development
- Integrating EDI with Existing Business Systems
- Internal Business Process Mapping and Data Analysis
- Establishing an EDI B2B Pilot Project
- Complete Deployment Among Trading Partners
To review each step of an EDI implementation in detail, simply select the appropriate button to the left.
Step 1 – Organizational Management Structure
It is important and necessary to have a dedicated person or team in place to manage an EDI implementation. These people will be charged with handling the technical aspects as well as acting as your company’s contact point in dealing with your EDI vendor.
Step 2 – Review of Business Strategy
Following the appointment of an EDI implementation coordinator, there should be a strategic review of the business. This process should unveil which aspects of your business would see the quickest or most dramatic return on investment (ROI) from the EDI implementation. This will help with project strategy, testing, and deployment.
Step 3 – EDI System Solution Development
After your strategic business review has uncovered an ideal process for EDI automation, an EDI software and network provider need to be chosen to begin the first steps of your EDI implementation.
Step 4 – Integrating EDI with Existing Business Systems
The strategic review in Step 2 may uncover some processes that could be significantly improved by integrating information currently being held on other business systems within your organization. EDI integration with other back-office systems can improve your organization’s total internal business processes, improving efficiency and saving you money.
Step 5 –Internal Business Process Mapping and Data Analysis
To help ensure your EDI integration flows as smoothly as possible (both internally and with your valuable trading partners), EDI mapping documents are created to model the linking information in a way that promotes transmission efficiency across your network.
Step 6 – Establishing a B2B EDI Pilot Project
Once a basic EDI system implementation has taken place, it needs to be tested prior to complete deployment. Select several trusted trading partners and run a trial process, noting where the EDI system excelled and what, if any, problems were encountered.
Step 7 – Complete Deployment Among Trading Partners
After a trial B2B EDI project has been completed and steps have been taken to ensure system efficiency, the next step in your EDI system deployment is to inform and/or recruit your trading partners to the new EDI system process. Once your trading partners have been enabled and your community is linked via EDI, you have reached full implementation of your EDI system.