EDI Education Resources
Tools to help you make informed decisions about EDI and order processing.
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What is EDI?
EDI stands for Electronic Data Interchange and is the electronic communication of business transactions between suppliers and retailers. Purchase orders, confirmations, invoices, shipping updates — these and many other transactions can be handled by EDI.
Let’s talk about the basics. What does EDI do? Process orders, ship items, get paid.
Questions about EDI?
My trading partner uses another EDI provider to perform EDI testing. Does that mean I’m required to use that provider to trade with this retailer?
Typically, no. While a very small number of retailers require their vendors to use a specific EDI provider, most only require that your EDI solution complies with their specifications. Since Lingo offers the highest rate of compliance in the industry and has maps for a multitude of retailers, nearly all trading partners are happy to work with us.
What about customer service? We’re not EDI experts and we don’t get the help we need from our current provider. How is your customer support different?
The members of our customer service team are just what you’re looking for — EDI experts with deep, extensive knowledge. They’ll respond quickly to the challenges you encounter because they understand that in business, time is money. Every request is worked through until resolved, and we treat your issues like they are our own.
I like the convenience, savings, and real-time access of Lingo’s cloud-based solution. But how secure are my EDI documents and transaction history?
Data and information are precious, and we treat them that way. Your data is safe with us, protected from security breaches and with an infrastructure that is considered fully redundant. That’s tech-speak for backed up, both on-site and off.
How big is your community of trading partners?
Big. Really, really big.
Lingo has maps to hundreds of trading partners throughout North America and around the world. Major retailers such as Bed Bath & Beyond and Neiman Marcus have had eZcom on their Preferred Supplier lists for many years. In the unlikely event your business requires a connection Lingo does not yet service, we can build a validated map for your company that ensures compliance with your trading partner.
Questions about our software solution—Lingo?
What is Lingo?
Lingo is our powerful, cloud-based software that makes the exchange of data and information with your retail trading partners easy and efficient. It’s built to automate order processing for EDI, online marketplaces and eCommerce stores, and is constantly updated with new features to meet the needs of our clients.
My company has added a significant number of trading partners in recent months. Can Lingo expand with us as we grow?
Whether you have two or two hundred trading partners, Lingo is fully scalable and can be customized to suit your specific needs. You can set parameters based on the unique needs of each trading relationship and the focus on automating tasks makes the growth of your business easier to manage.
I have struggled with EDI — I would never be considered a “tech person.” Does Lingo do anything to make it easier for me?
Definitely. For starters, you’ll be using an interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate — so being tech-savvy is not required. Our Accelerated Document System not only saves time, it is easy to manage. Most importantly, the members of our Customer Service team are EDI experts who will tackle your issues with both patience and determination.
EDI Documents and Transaction Codes
EDI uses specific documents to exchange information—each one has a name and a numbered transaction code. There are several that are used almost universally, but not all retailers require the same documents. An expert EDI provider helps ensure that you meet the standards of your different trading partners. Here are some of the most common EDI documents.
850 Purchase Order
The 850 is a big one — it’s the Purchase Order. In other words, it’s the electronic document that gets the ball rolling. It means you have a sale — hooray for sales — and a seller wants your product or products. The 875 is simply a purchase order format preferred by grocery stores
856 Advanced Shipping Notice
The 856 is the Advance Shipping Notice, also referred to as the ASN or simply as The Shipment. There is a lot in this form — order information, carton serial numbers, types of packaging used, carrier information and more.
810 Invoice
The EDI 810/880 (Invoice) is the electronic version of a paper invoice. The EDI 810 and EDI 880 serve the same purpose, but the EDI 880 is used in the Grocery category.
The EDI 810/880 helps streamline the supply chain—no need to fax, email or send an invoice with snail mail. Since retailers can easily integrate it into their system, the EDI 810 can also speed payment.
Along with details for payment, the EDI 810/880 provides some related history such as specific items, price, and quantities delivered.
997 Functional Acknowledgement
An automated document that informs the supplier and the retail trading partner that an EDI transaction, or a group of EDI transactions, was completed. You may consider it redundant, like wearing a belt with suspenders, but EDI is all about making sure nothing trips up the supply chain.
940 Warehouse Shipping Order
The EDI 940 (Warehouse Shipping Order) is transmitted to a warehouse or 3PL provider by the supplier, authorizing a shipment to a retail trading partner.
Transform EDI and online order processing.
Change it from a requirement to a competitive advantage.
