Implementing and managing an EDI platform can be a daunting challenge for many companies. Irrespective of whether a company is small or large, managing an EDI infrastructure requires access to resources with a broad range of different skill sets. For example for most EDI implementations you will need access to resources who can develop maps, on-board trading partners around the world or simply implement new communication protocols. Many of today’s companies are even looking to integrate to back office business systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms. Many of today’s companies simply do not have the internal resources to undertake this type of work.

EDI outsourcing provides a way for a company to use external resources to manage an EDI environment on a day to day basis. A company could choose to outsource part of an EDI process such as on-boarding a group of trading partners or they could decide to outsource the management of the entire EDI process. Either way, EDI outsourcing provides an efficient way to reduce costs and allow the company to focus on manufacturing goods or delivering business services rather than have the day to day worry of managing a B2B platform. EDI outsourcing allows resources to be applied to an EDI project on a flexible and scalable basis so as a project grows so the EDI implementation and infrastructure management resource can grow in parallel.

EDI outsourcing allows companies to utilise skilled people, implement best practice processes and deploy the latest technologies across a business. 

• People - Skilled people with both technical and business expertise who can support and deliver a B2B program that meets current and future business objectives
• Processes - Best-practice processes for implementing or extending the use of B2B e-commerce in an organisation, managing a B2B program on an ongoing basis, and quickly and easily bringing new trading partners onto a B2B network
• Technology - The comprehensive infrastructure needed to exchange EDI transactions with partners, translate business documents between any of the many EDI e-commerce standards now in use, and provide reporting and visibility into B2B processes and networks

For further information about EDI Outsourcing download a white paper here or alternatively visit our Managed Services Microsite.