When you first started any business, document processing wasn’t a major issue; however, as your business has expanded, so has the monthly volume of paperwork. Having to process these documents through your website is taking up precious employee time that could be spent on more important tasks.

In addition to the frustration caused, manual documentation processing significantly raises the chances of making mistakes. A small miscalculation or wrongly entered figures can have drastic consequences. Therefore, it is important to consider automated solutions that can reduce potential errors.

What would be your course of action if the person responsible for handling your paperwork goes on vacation? Have you thought ahead and planned a backup strategy?

While the documents pile up, important transactions may be missed, putting trading partnerships in jeopardy.

EDI Automation Benefits

Automation is an essential requirement if a business wishes to achieve rapid growth and progress. It can no longer be seen as something that is merely “nice to have” but instead a necessity for success.

Doing manual data reconciliation for each week's orders, invoices and shipping documents can be very labor-intensive, taking up an entire workday. Why not make the process easier with an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) solution that integrates your enterprise resource planning (ERP), warehouse management system, and other systems? Automating the process documentation can make it faster and more accurate than manual entry, thereby saving time and effort.

This automated system will take care of verifying all documents without the need for any manual intervention, ensuring that only accurate and valid items are obtained.

With the use of AI, human eyes only need to review documents if there is a discrepancy, such as differing quantities in purchase & invoice orders. The AI technology can identify and flag any incorrect transactions for further inspection by a staff member who can then work on fixing the issue.

Time spent on processing documentation can be reduced from a day-long activity by several people to a few hours or less by a single person. EDI automation breaks down data silos, to reduce communication errors and eliminate bottlenecks that prevent your business from achieving its full potential.

EDI System Options

There are two main types of integrated EDI solutions available:

1. In-house or On-premise EDI-

Opting for this type of  EDI technology requires significant investment in software, hardware, and the additional staff needed to run it. When your company or trading partners modify their EDI protocols, modifications must be made by your team.

Though the initial investment for an in-house EDI solution may be higher, it offers a larger return in the long run. It's important to note, though, that there may be potential expenses associated with extra EDI software, hardware, training, or upgrades later down the line.

2. Outsourced EDI

By outsourcing EDI, all the required software, hardware, and staff are managed by a specialized team of experts from an external provider. To keep your business running smoothly, your EDI provider should be responsible for upgrading software & hardware, as well as accommodating any changes in EDI requirements.

If you decide to outsource EDI, you will be paying a monthly subscription fee which is much more economical than the cost of maintaining an in-house system. In fact, it can be anywhere from 30 to 70 percent cheaper. 

Some organizations have a unique setup when it comes to EDI, combining both in-house and outsourced teams. This type of service is referred to as a managed service, where tasks are divided & delegated between the two.

Growing with EDI

By automating EDI processes, you can free up your time and make sure to finish tasks way before Tuesday. You don't need to stay stuck in the office all day due to tedious manual updates. This enhanced efficiency will let you leave work on time.

EDI solutions offer more than just convenience; they can significantly reduce the number of people you need to hire, enable you to make better use of your time, and help your business reach its peak performance. Moreover, an EDI solution could unlock numerous possibilities for your business in the future. 

To learn more about EDI system automation, visit https://www.edibydesign.com/