Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is meant to streamline operations, improve accuracy, and enhance supply chain efficiency. Yet, many companies still struggle with delays, errors, and unnecessary costs. If your EDI system isn’t delivering the seamless integration you expected, one of these four surprising factors could be robbing you of its full potential.

EDI is supposed to eliminate manual data entry, yet some businesses still rely on manual processes to correct errors, handle exceptions, or input missing data. Whether it’s manually re-entering orders due to system mismatches or adjusting invoices outside the EDI flow, these workarounds defeat the purpose of automation. If your team is spending time fixing data instead of leveraging EDI’s efficiency, it’s time to reassess your system.

• Increases labor costs and time spent on redundant tasks
• Raises the risk of human error
• Slows down transaction processing

A properly managed EDI solution should have automated error handling, intelligent exception processing, and robust validation rules to eliminate unnecessary manual intervention.

Many companies are using outdated EDI platforms or homegrown systems that were built for a different era of business. These systems often lack flexibility, making it difficult to onboard new trading partners, integrate with modern ERP solutions, or adapt to changing compliance requirements.

 • Limits scalability and growth
• Causes delays in onboarding new trading partners
• Higher Maintenance Costs
• Technical Limitations
• Loss of Data
• Lower Performance

Consider migrating to a modern managed EDI service that offers real-time alerts, instant issue resolution, and seamless connectivity with major ERPs. This ensures you stay ahead of compliance changes and market demands.

If you don’t have real-time visibility into your EDI transactions, you’re essentially flying blind. Many companies rely on batch processing or outdated reporting tools that don’t provide immediate insights into failed transactions, rejected invoices, or missing acknowledgments.

• Delays issue resolution and disrupts cash flow
• Leads to penalties for non-compliance
• Reduces confidence in supply chain accuracy

Choose an EDI service that provides real-time notifications, customized alerts, and interactive dashboards so you can take immediate action when issues arise.

Your Value-Added Network (VAN) should be more than just a pipeline for moving transactions. If your VAN isn’t offering proactive insights, real-time error notifications, or customizable monitoring of critical documents, you’re leaving money on the table.

• Missed opportunities to prevent chargebacks and disputes
• Limited control over how and when you receive important alerts
• No ability to tailor notifications to the documents that matter most

Upgrade to a VAN that actively monitors your EDI data and alerts the right people in real-time when an issue occurs. A smart VAN should provide instant notifications on rejected invoices, missing ASNs, or critical order changes—not just deliver data and leave you guessing.