I discussed the outdated mentality that if a process or tool still has basic functionality, it doesn’t need to be fixed. There are plenty of reasons to fix a semi-broken process sorely in need of an upgrade, but the most important is that it is absolutely necessary for a company that wants to stay competitive, regardless of industry. If you’re using outdated EDI integration tools, you won’t stand a chance at competing with companies using next-generation methods..
But now that we’ve discussed some major EDI Integration negatives, here are some very appealing positive reasons which should inspire you to, absolutely, ‘fix what ain’t broke but actually is:’
1. Accelerated Revenue Collection
If you rely on data-driven services to make money, you can dramatically increase the time it takes to get paid by fixing your EDI integration. Since EDI integration usually takes several weeks, a simple upgrade to streamline the process can shorten that window of time and get your business collecting checks more quickly.
2. More Efficient Onboarding
A simple fix to your EDI integration can get rid of unnecessary back-and-forth IT interaction between both companies. These teams traditionally have to collaborate on how to set up a new automated data connection or, at the very least, amend an existing integration. This can take time and energy, which ultimately slows your operation down. Make EDI onboarding more efficient, and the whole process will run more smoothly.
3. Ease-of-Use for Business Users
Turning your EDI integration into a self-service model will allow non-technical business users to create data connections, which will, in turn, eliminate silos and waiting on IT.
With this fix, your company can eliminate long and expensive development cycles creating new EDI interfaces and empower business users to automate EDI processing on their own in much easier and more efficient manner.
4. Improved IT Productivity
By empowering your business users, you also free up IT staff to focus on more strategic initiatives. If non-technical staff can establish data connections on demand, you’ll be able to keep momentum going in current partnerships while looking for new and improved opportunities in the process. With IT and business users sharing the workload in a more balanced way, you’re also going to end up serving current customers more efficiently.
5. Happier Clients and Customers
A more flexible and agile partner will lead to improved relationships and quicker turnaround time for both parties involved. The faster you can serve your clients, the more business you can do. By providing an easy way to create and maintain customer onboarding connections, companies will, without a doubt, want to keep doing business with you.
6. Streamlined Processes
By reducing EDI maintenance with an easy self-service platform, you’re making your whole enterprise more efficient. With history and tracking integrated into one comprehensive suite, you can have an easily-managed network in which your entire operation is both cost-effective and streamlined at the end of the day.
By simplifying IT tasks, empowering business users, and improving flexibility, you’re saving big money in the long run. Your clients will love doing business with you, and you will meet their needs more quickly. So take a good hard look at your current EDI integration in order to determine if it’s really broke or not, and then make the decision whether or not it’s time to actually fix it.
For more information on EDI Integration solutions, check out our white paper on the subject:
For more articles on the challenges of EDI Integration, check out: