Over the past few decades, finished goods manufacturers have implemented EDI initiatives primarily to address their retailer or other immediate customer mandates. In doing so, many of these companies have come to recognize the tremendous benefits of EDI. In recent years, more and more manufacturers have come to realize that maximizing operational efficiency, shortened cycle times and other benefits of EDI can only happen with maximum participation from their entire supply chain.
Only when your business partners become EDI trading partners can you truly eliminate manual data entry, mailing paper documents and the like. Today, suppliers and their suppliers are being asked to communicate via EDI.
Expanding Horizons – Bringing EDI to the Entire Supply Chain
As larger manufacturers began using EDI for their business communication exchanges, the solutions varied widely. As major retailers and other industry leaders demanded EDI-compliance from their primary suppliers, the use of VANs, clearinghouses and other “simple” EDI solutions were employed at a high level. This was appropriate given the relative lack of experience and resources of these suppliers.
Today, after years of EDI experience, and as more extensive EDI solutions have been implemented, these suppliers are seeking ways to take full advantage of their investment, and of the potential value EDI can represent for their business operations. As a result, supplier onboarding efforts are rapidly increasing.
Recognizing that many suppliers will likely encounter the same challenges their customers originally faced, onboarding programs must include a number of elements to be successful:
- Clear goals – you cannot achieve what you cannot measure. Setting realistic and specific objectives for compliance and participation is essential to success of every EDI initiative.
- A high level of service – getting suppliers to comply with EDI requirements requires more than simply dictating it. Suppliers must see the value and benefits for themselves, be provided with clear options and instructions, and be guided through the process.
- Effective EDI tools – allowing suppliers to achieve success with EDI increases compliance and enhances supply chain relationships. This means EDI solutions with flexibility, simplicity and performance for the suppliers.
- Visibility in the process – seeing the progress and results is the only way to know who is on-board and how well they are meeting EDI requirements.
By taking a comprehensive view to supplier onboarding efforts, manufacturers stand the best chance of full compliance. More importantly, when suppliers are armed with truly effective EDI solutions, the performance of the EDI operations is enhanced for the entire supply chain.
Supplier Solutions from 1EDISource
Whatever your industry, however technically capable you or your suppliers may be, 1EDISource can help. We can get you or your supply chain on board, with powerful and effective solutions for manufacturers and suppliers alike.
EDI SmartXchange for Suppliers provides non-EDI compliant suppliers with a simple web portal to send and receive EDI transmissions with ease. Purchase orders, ASNs, shipping schedules and other EDI documents from the manufacturer are converted to web formats that the supplier can access. They can then create and send new EDI documents in return. It’s seamless, simple and effective.
1EDISource also offers full onboarding services to help get suppliers EDI-enabled. Our proven and customized approach will ensure maximum compliance, performance and supplier relationships.
Talk to one of our EDI Experts to learn how 1EDISource can help you implement an effective EDI solution for suppliers, and supplier onboarding programs for manufacturers.
For suppliers with more advanced IT resources and capabilities, our advanced EDI software, EDI/HQ™, may be the answer for a complete and powerful EDI solution.