• INSIGHT
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EDI AND ERP INTEGRATION
Edited by Sharyn Macnamara
Digitising South African enterprises is the way forward and EDI-integrated ERP solutions are the way to do it , writes Anton Oosthuizen , commercial director of QuickEasy BOS .
For most modern organisations , end-to-end process and system integration is the goal . As electronic commerce and Electronic Data Interchange ( EDI ) become more vital as core business competencies , the need for EDI data integration across enterprise systems is growing .
Source : edibasics . com
Electronic Data Interchange ( EDI ) explained Unlike manual data exchange , which involves a lot of paper and people , EDI is the computer-to-computer exchange of business information and documents between business partners , where the information exists and is sent in a standard electronic format .
Effectively , EDI replaces the old paper-based and manual methods of exchanging business documents - such as fax , postal services , and even email - with a seamless , fast , and direct communication to the appropriate application on the receiver ’ s computer . After which , processing immediately begins .
By integrating EDI data , manual processes are automated , turn rates are ramped up , and resources are utilised more effectively .
By integrating EDI data , manual processes are automated , turn rates are ramped up , and resources are utilised more effectively .
Where paper-based methods of exchanging data are labour-intensive , inefficient , not easily tracked , give little visibility into the process , involve time-consuming data entry , and high human error , it is clear to see how efficient the EDI process is , saving companies huge amounts of time , productivity and money .
Indeed , industries such as manufacturing , retail , healthcare , and education have used EDI for over 25 years due to the cost and resource-saving benefits . However , EDI integration can be challenging . The key to maximising the full benefits of EDI is the ability to transform that mixed data into the formats required by the various enterprise applications .
The benefits of EDI in business EDI speeds up the flow of information , which is the very heart of the supply chain . This data is used by companies to remain agile , resilient , and responsive to global and local changes in consumer demand , logistic capabilities , and manufacturing supply . Forecasting and
Pexels : Kevin Ku
EDI is the computer-to-computer exchange of business information and documents between business partners , where the information exists and is sent in a standard electronic format .
production depend solely on the availability and accuracy of data . Without EDI , this would be painfully difficult if not impossible . The automation of business processes powered by the implementation of EDI unleashes the following benefits to businesses :
• Reduced or removed paper-based document flow
• Greater processing speed
• Quicker transmission times
• Greater information accuracy
• Fewer data entry errors
• Cost savings in document and data handling activities
• Improved communication and relationships between trading partners
• Faster order turnaround times
• Improved results with customers , trading partners , and competitive advantage
The connection between ERP and EDI ERP systems such as QuickEasy BOS integrate front office , back office , and production and resources into one unified system . ERP - like EDI - reduces human error , improves efficiencies , and makes a business more cost effective . It follows that ERP is the ideal partner of EDI technology to streamline communication between businesses . In this way , ERP and EDI work together to integrate all members of a business and its partners to the same communication and database system , quickly reducing the amount of paperwork and manual admin needed to communicate between businesses .
Why integrate ERP with EDI ? EDI delivers electronic communication between internal business departments , as well as external businesses such as orders , payment
38 • African Mining • June 2022 www . africanmining . co . za