EDI
Translation Solutions
EDI Translation
EDI translation is the primary function of EDI
translation software. When a computer
sends an EDI message to another computer
(this is standardized business information
in a machine readable format), the EDI
translation software is responsible for
pulling the data that will be sent from the
backend business system and transforming
it into EDI. Then the EDI
translation software sends the EDI message
over a network to the trading partner.
Top
Reasons For Emanio's EDI Translation |
- Exchange order data with customers
quickly
- increase accuracy through electronic
commerce
- full support for broad standards
like X12 and EDIFACT
- Over 200
trading partners available in "kit" form
- Create your own support with
X12 standards collection
|
|
|
Once the EDI message is received by the EDI
translation software at the trading partner,
a process of EDI translation happens
in reverse; the EDI message is converted
into the format of the backend system at
the receiving party and the data is inserted
into their backend system.
EDI translation was developed in response
to the need for Just-In-Time manufacturing
in the automotive industry. The Japanese auto
industry was rising and US manufacturers in
Detroit saw the need for a technological solution
that could enhance their supply chain and manufacturing
operations. EDI translation was the answer – sending
manufacturing and shipment information over
a network between the different parties in
the value chain. EDI translation spread to
other industries, especially retail, and EDI
translation is today a common part
of doing business with large companies.
One of the reasons EDI translation has become
so prevalent is that the cost savings and efficiency
improvements resulting from effective use of
EDI translation technologies are self-evident.
It is commonly accepted that the business data
residing in one computer becomes the data input
in another computer. To utilize EDI translation
to remove redundant data entry, the associated
errors and costs makes this a no-brainer. In
addition, when the data is instantaneously
communicated through the EDI
translator to trading partners, it makes
for a more efficient value chain.
EDI translation is one of the primary reasons
for the increased efficiency in international
trade. Without EDI translation, it would still
take significant time, and be as error-prone
as it was 30 years ago. However, thanks to
EDI translation, business communication is
virtually instantaneous and has significantly
less errors than before.
One of the challenges with EDI translation is
that it has been a batch process. In today’s
world EDI translation has to become zero-latency
oriented. To attain this in EDI translation,
new technological solutions are necessary.
Where EDI translation goes from where it is
today is speculative, but one of the directions
that many have spoken of, is that EDI translation
starts to utilize XML technologies.
EDI Translation can be accomplished in a number
of ways. EDI Translation is widely available
through EDI Translation service bureaus. EDI
Translation software companies provide software
that can be installed on a PC or on a server
and that is supported by a number of different
operating systems. EDI Translation software
can provide a rudimentary framework for EDI
Translation based on the EDI X12 standards;
at a more sophisticated level, it can provide
a plug-in architecture for EDI Translation
that allows the user to add EDI Translation
capabilities as needed. With so many options
available, it is not easy to decide on the
right EDI Translation solution for your small
business.
In addition, with the increased adoption of
EDI Translation software and EDI Translation
services by both large and small companies,
ERP vendors have begun to offer some form of
EDI Translation options with their systems. These
EDI Translation add-ons, however, are usually
very limited in scope and offer EDI Translation
services only for a select number of trading
partners or in very limited ways. A better
option for most small businesses is to have
EDI Translation software tied to their in-house
back end system through some form of EDI Integration. Using
Integration, the EDI message is processed by
the EDI Translation software and is then mapped
into the in-house ERP system. This form
of 100% electronic transfer of data was the
ultimate goal of EDI Translation when it was
first envisioned.
As a small business embarks on EDI Translation
for the first time, it is very important to take
small steps at the start. EDI Translation can
be a complicated process and a confusing one.
EDI Translation software varies greatly in price
and in features. The small business owner should
consider many options before selecting an EDI
Translation software or service. For businesses
that are just getting started with EDI, an EDI
Translation service – or service bureau – may
be a viable option to begin with. As the
business grows and the use of EDI increases,
the need for EDI Translation software will become
more apparent as more and more money is being
spent on monthly EDI Translation Services. The
business will then typically purchase EDI Translation
Software. The next step in this process is integrating
the EDI Translation software into the in-house
ERP system. It is at this point that EDI Translation
is being used at its maximum efficiency. |
