Implementing an EDI system across a company and group of associated trading partners can be a complex activity to try and manage. This section of the EDI Basics Microsite highlights the various stages involved with implementing an EDI solution within your business and looks at areas such as organising an EDI development project, strategic analysis, development, piloting and finally deploying the EDI solution. Please review each step by selecting the appropriate button to the left.

Step 1 - Develop the organisational structure for managing the EDI system

In order to implement an EDI system it is important to have a dedicated person or team to manage the implementation process and liase with outside providers of EDI solutions

Step 2 - Undertake a strategic review of the business

Once an EDI co-ordinator has been appointed then a strategic review of the business should be undertaken to see which areas of the business will benefit from implementing the EDI solution first.

Step 3 - Developing an EDI Solution to meet the needs of the business

Once a specific process within the business has been targeted for automation via EDI, an EDI network provider and associated software needs to be chosen for implementation

Step 4 - Integrating with other business systems across the company

In addition to automating one part of a business process there may be a requirement to utilise information held in other business systems within the company. Integrating with other back office systems can provide significant downstream cost and efficiency benefits.

Step 5 – Undertake mapping / data analysis of internal business processes

To ensure the smooth flow of information between internal applications and trading partners, documents need to be ‘mapped’ or linked to allow the information to be transmitted efficiently across a network.

Step 6 - Establishing a pilot project with selected trading partners

Once the basic EDI system has been implemented it is important to run a trial process to see how the system performs when trading with a small number of partners.

Step 7 - Deployment of the EDI system amongst trading partners

Once the trial project has been successful then the next stage is to ramp or recruit all the required trading partners to the new automated EDI process. This enablement of the trading partners is regarded as the final stage to implementing an EDI system.

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