Industries such as healthcare, retail, logistics, and many others efficiently conduct their business activities with the help of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) technology. Your business will undoubtedly grow over time, and as it expands, you will begin to acquire more and more business partners. It is highly likely that each of them will have their own requirements for you to continue doing business with them. Before you can meet these requirements, you will first need to implement EDI and comply with EDI standards.
For two companies to successfully exchange electronic data, both must use the same protocols to ensure that the exchanged data is correct and secure. You know you have achieved EDI compliance when you have successfully completed your first EDI data exchange with a specific business partner.”
What does it mean to be in compliance with EDI standards?
Being in compliance refers to meeting certain requirements set by a national or international regulatory body. Similarly, for EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), being in compliance means meeting the electronic communication requirements imposed by your business partners. These requirements are usually dictated by the industry in which the respective company operates. It’s a two-way street; at a certain point in your business’s development, you may be the one requiring your business partners to comply with your specific requirements.
Additionally, becoming compliant with EDI standards is quite straightforward. Progressing to the next steps will happen seamlessly without requiring many adjustments on your part.
How do you become compliant with EDI standards?
Often, companies will send you a list of requirements that you need to meet, and some of these may not even be related to EDI.
Usually, they’ll direct you to a website where you can see everything that needs to be done to continue working with them.
This procedure is especially common with large and experienced companies that are well-organized and have already compiled such lists. You can achieve EDI compliance in two ways: either by using an in-house EDI system or by outsourcing everything to an EDI service provider. However, choosing an in-house EDI system means that you are solely responsible for the entire process, including purchasing the necessary software and hardware, installing and configuring it, and performing updates and maintenance activities as needed.
Once everything is set up, you’ll need to conduct a test to ensure that the data reaches your business partner. The next steps will involve translating and mapping EDI data, processes that ensure you’re working with all the correct protocols. If your business partner changes their requirements along the way, they will inform you accordingly, meaning you’ll need to go through the data translation and mapping process again.
EDI Compliance Provided by DCA Ventures
By choosing our services, you can leave everything to us and rest assured when it comes to your EDI needs. You’ll be able to connect with your business partners immediately and exchange electronic documents with them continuously. All you’ll need is a decent internet connection. With years of experience and hundreds of clients in our portfolio, we can help you achieve EDI compliance without the technical hassles.
Moreover, think about all the costs you can reduce simply by eliminating paper documents. For more information, contact us.
