The principal aim of Electronic Data Interface or EDI is to streamline the workflow of logistics companies by automating and integrating a host of diverse systems in today’s highly computerized business world. EDI regulates the exchange of business critical data among trading partners by synchronizing data-sharing across different applications. Proven EDI systems provide companies with the expertise needed to transact business with customers and trading partners effortlessly. This is possible by the standardization of data exchange that takes place across the teams involved in the job execution. Companies that implement a well-planned logistics strategy like EDI can reap rich dividends through enhanced operational efficiency, sharper visibility into the supply chain, and strong customer relationships. Logistics businesses count on EDI data to organize their work and execute tasks quickly, without errors.

 Before the dawn of EDI, information used to be manually entered in to a spreadsheet and emailed or dispatched to the intended recipient. The same data used to be thereafter manually re-entered in the receiving system, which was time-consuming and burdened by mistakes caused by data entry errors. With EDI, information is converted into digital data, and transmitted to systems at the receiving end that interprets and accepts the data for further processing. EDI connects systems at the sender’s and receiver’s end and manages your shipments using the existing IT infrastructure.

By employing up-to-date EDI systems, companies can adhere to the Service Level Agreements all through the lifecycle of the data. Automated processes with no involvement of repeated human interventions result in accurate processing and streamlined end-to-end data transmission and integration.

In a documentation dependent industry like shipping and logistics, the use of EDI is popular and widely used among Freight Forwarders, Customs Brokers, Shipping Agents, NVOCCs and Customs officials.

Essential features in established EDI systems:

• Compatibility with asset owner’s or depot’s IT infrastructure.
• Compatible with a multitude of EDI documents, such as shipping notices, purchase orders, invoices, financial reports, and product catalogs.
• Over 150 custom-built validations.
• Support movements and tracking, such as Gate Moves, Load/Discharge and query records with container numbers or transmission ref numbers.
• Maintenance and Repair Estimates, approvals and completions.
• Support communication procedures like FTP, Direct Web uploads, and Web-based uploads.
• Automated validation and alerts to guarantee clean data from depots.
• Permits EDI ANSI 322, ANSI X12(US), CSV, COARRI, CODECO & ISO v9897/9735 EDIFACT standards.
• Integrate new trading partners.
• Easy scalability with the changing needs of user.

EDI drives faster “order-to-cash” cycles and effortlessly integrates trading partners, bringing in increased openness and co-operation through real-time communication of data. It enhances electronic procurement, automated receiving, and electronic billing & payments, reduces a company’s administrative overheads, increases data quality, hastens business cycles, and delivers strategic business gains. EDI boosts supply chain process by reducing lead times, cuts the costs of document processing, and overcomes the odds of data entry errors during the transmission of critical data to trading partners in the supply chain.

VS&B Container group’s software solutions wing, iInterchange Systems is a preferred software solutions provider for container depots and ocean carriers.

idex24 is a full-grown EDI solution from iInterchange Systems that facilitates ocean carriers and logistic firms to process business data from global depots, factories, ports and terminals in an integrated fashion. idex24 is a hosted service with a 24/7 support from domain experts. The company’s solutions are backed by a thorough after-sales-support mechanism.

How about beginning a discussion on putting into action a strong EDI solution for your company and ensure your company’s continuing success journey?

Note:

We have sourced facts and figures for this blog from the internet.