To enable smooth automated commerce, electronic version of documents must correspond accurately at both sides of information exchange. Therefore, An EDI tool’s worth should not be measured only on its ability to rapidly assimilate data. An advanced EDI solution must provide dynamic mapping capabilities as well to enable processes to communicate and exchange data in simple ways. Here are some functionalities which an advanced EDI tool must deliver for effective data lifecycle management:
Filtering and Data Processing: On many occasions, a lot of data manipulation is required between source and target based systems. In such scenarios, businesses need to manually perform logical comparisons, computations, string operations, value checking, etc. To simplify this part, a data mapping tool must offer real-world transformation functions (manipulation strings, aggregation, conditional maps, mathematical value maps, etc.) to accurately extract, filter, map and process data.
Browser-based Interface: Business users can save valuable time and become more productive if they click and drag the source field from customer data and map it to a target data element. For example, a source file containing Policy Number field would simply need to be selected, moved, and mapped to the target field.
This functionality helps users in effortless connecting files with backend systems or other important business systems. On this interface, users can collaborate and utilize the data transformation functions to simplify data connectivity with trading partners.
Simple Mapping Options: Entities move faster and become easier to do business with when the data conversion becomes as simple as opening the file and moving it to any corresponding source. An advanced EDI mapping tool should provide simple and non-technical mapping options for allowing normal business users to match different data elements.
Any-to-Any Mapping: Unstructured and incompatible data formats are a roadblock barrier to successful data exchange. That’s why An EDI tool should offer powerful data conversion capabilities to ensure the usage of data in any application.
A centralized interface should be available to support mapping between any data format, i.e., XML, flat files, EDI, Excel (OOXML), Web services, etc. Whenever a schema is loaded into the system, it should create and display graphical mapping designs between source and target structures of data. This functionality helps users in converting data in just one click and saving the obtained results.
Version Support: A business user might be transacting documents with multiple partners at one point of time. In such cases, a tool that supports only X12 format won’t enable smooth exchange of data. Therefore, an EDI mapping tool should provide support for all EDI standards and versions like X12, EDIFACT, Warehouse Industry Network Standard (WINS), etc.
Error Handling: Every EDI Mapping tool handles error differently. An EDI tool should enable users in tracking the error and rectifying it in simple ways. Advanced EDI tools provide diagnostic messaging capabilities to correct repetitive errors.
Automated Report Generation: Controls for report generation help users in tracking & correcting different aspects of data exchange. Automated controls for generating user-defined reports, transaction reports, and reconciliation reports are quintessential for effective operations.
Electronic Forms: An EDI Mapping tool cannot function like a standalone application and it should provide forms and templates for accessing & viewing the EDI data. User-friendly formats enable non-technical ways to generate or receive EDI data from any data source. A user can further customize these forms and use them for new data conversion scenarios. Advanced tools carry custom forms to define data handling procedures and determine how data appears on screen. Some of the relevant features are mandatory fields, automatic data countering, etc.
The aforementioned were some of the mapping features that a promising EDI tool must offer. Know how Adeptia carries these groundbreaking functionalities to improve data governance life cycle, simplify services, reduce B2B integration and increase profitability. Get a demo today to explore more.