EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)

Electronic exchange of business data between different companies

Do you still use manual processes and ordering methods such as telephone, fax or email to procure the goods and products you need? Do you regularly spend a significant portion of your working time processing orders and tracking deliveries? You are not alone, as around 62% of medium-sized companies and approximately 82% of small companies in German-speaking countries do not yet have a fully electronic purchasing process. However, many companies are unaware that they are wasting potential savings in procurement costs.
Find out how you can gain internal time and employee resources with the help of electronically supported processes and thus increase your company's success.

What is EDI?

EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is the electronic exchange of business documents in a standard electronic format without the need for human intervention.

Electronic data exchange in combination with ERP systems and eProcurement platforms

The manual management of order confirmations, delivery notes, invoices and other paper documents has a significant impact on daily workflows in purchasing and administration. With EDI, once you have sent the order directly from your ERP system or eProcurement platform, your company can receive and manage all related documents (e.g. invoices) in electronic form directly in your system.

Why EDI?

• Easy storage and management of documents
• Reduce internal ordering costs
• Gain valuable working time
• Shorten ordering and delivery times
• Avoid input errors caused by manual entry

The advantages of using electronic data interchange

With EDI, you benefit from automated document receipt, which eliminates the need for manual data entry and consequently reduces errors. Delivery notes, order confirmations and purchase orders, for example, are sent electronically and automatically transferred to your ERP system. Electronic documents transmitted via EDI are automatically processed and then archived, eliminating the costs of paper-based document management. EDI speeds up your business processes by automatically checking orders, delivery notes and invoices and shortening order and delivery times. EDI allows you to minimise your process costs and free up valuable time for your employees in purchasing, goods receipt and accounting.

Electronic data exchange at SFS

SFS can exchange the following documents with your company electronically:

• Orders
• Order confirmations
• Delivery notes
• Invoices
• Credit notes

An initial article comparison is necessary in order to establish an EDI connection. SFS can provide product data from catalogues and the eShop electronically for your company on a customer-specific basis. However, a dynamic comparison via OCI PunchOut is also recommended. This creates a basis for error-free and efficient electronic data exchange. For this reason, we at SFS support all common EDI standards as well as simpler customer-specific solutions.

Comprehensive EDI consulting and support from the SFS

At first glance, switching to an electronic purchasing process may seem like a complicated undertaking, but our eProcess consultants are available to ensure that everything runs smoothly. We support you throughout the entire implementation process: in advance with advice on process and schedule planning, during implementation and afterwards with expert support. You can rely on our experience, as we have been working with EDI for a long time and already communicate successfully with many of our customers via EDI.

Our service

Would you like eBusiness consulting to optimise your individual processes? Our experienced eProcesses staff analyse your ordering, manufacturing and production processes and develop customised solutions to optimise your processes and reduce process costs.

Please contact us if you require further information on EDI (Electronic Data Interchange).