Next Level EDI With Cloud Computing and Modern Mapping Technology

We began this EDI modernization blog series by exploring ways to overcome EDI system challenges with legacy modernization and transmit data via EDI using API-led B2B integration. In this final blog of our series, we’ll look at the role of “translation” in the EDI process, as well as the significance of cloud computing and how it comprehensively contributes to the overall landscape of EDI modernization. Additionally, we’ll also explore significant aspects of integration, such as implementing robust security measures, enhancing monitoring capabilities and automating partner onboarding processes with a user-friendly web portal.

Modern B2B mapping technology for data translation

Let’s go back to the EDI process quickly and look at where translation comes into play. EDI processes consist primarily of three components: pre- or post-processing, translation (mapping), and transmission as shown below, this is true for both inbound and outbound EDI process flow.

We are aware of the important role that translation, or data mapping, plays in EDI processing. It facilitates smooth communication and data exchange among various trading partners and their respective systems. Data mapping is important not only for EDI but also for non-EDI and API interfaces. That is why it’s crucial to make sure we use the right modern mapping tool for data translation.

Legacy mapping tools pose significant challenges that can impede an organization’s capacity to adapt, innovate and compete efficiently in today’s business landscape driven by B2B transactions. For example, the legacy mapper is unable to support the common JSON format in the integration world. Additionally, it lacks several other features such as the ability to make a REST call from the mapper or handle multiple sources with a single output. These are some of the main use cases in today’s complex integration world, which cannot be fulfilled by using a legacy mapper.

In order to address the challenges that a legacy mapper poses and maintain a competitive edge, organizations should contemplate upgrading to modern mapping technology that provides improved functionality, security, scalability and seamless integration with their business ecosystems. Additionally, modern mapping technology provides organizations with the capabilities to maintain strong business relationships and stay ahead in the dynamic global marketplace.

Cloud-based modern B2B mapping technology gives businesses an edge

In today’s changing world of B2B integration, there is a growing need for modern B2B mapping technology. These tools play a role in handling the complexities of data transformation and real-time processing facilitating communication and collaboration among various trading partners. To keep up with the demands of the business landscape, modern mapping tools should be flexible, scalable and capable of adapting to the EDI standards. They must also address security challenges posed by cyber threats while ensuring compliance with regulations to protect information.

Moreover, as modern businesses integrate communication channels such as EDI, APIs and web services, they require modern mapping technology that can effectively blend these diverse channels together. The ability to seamlessly integrate with existing business workflows empowers organizations to streamline processes, improve efficiency and gain an edge in the market.

To meet these evolving needs, cloud-based mapping software offer accessibility and scalability. They allow businesses to effortlessly scale their operations as they expand and onboard partners. By providing monitoring and reporting features driven by data insights, organizations can promptly identify issues and proactively address them to minimize disruptions and ensure smooth operations.

Incorporating these cutting-edge modern mapping technology gives businesses an edge, revolutionizing their B2B integration processes. By optimizing data accuracy, bolstering security, and enhancing collaboration with trading partners, organizations can stay ahead of the competition and forge stronger business relationships in the digital age.

Key features of modern mapping tools include:

• Support of latest EDI and integration standards
• Intuitive user interface
• Highly flexible in any sort of customization
• One input to many outputs and many inputs to one output
• API and web services support – JSON, Swagger, WSDL format
• Ability to make REST call
• Ability to support industry standard mapping repositories, e.g. GIT
• Ability to handle complex mapping functions

Cloud computing and EDI: the inseparable pair driving success in today’s corporate IT landscape

Cloud computing and EDI are closely intertwined in the contemporary IT environment of every prosperous business. Cloud technology and applications are revolutionary technology that provides unmatched advantages for businesses of any size. Cloud computing has become an integral part of business operations, providing various benefits such as cost savings, scalability, enhanced security, and the ability to foster innovation. It enables organizations to maintain their competitiveness and adaptability in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Cloud computing plays a very important role in the EDI modernization process as well. Today’s EDI platform is not only used for EDI transactions but in many modern organizations it caters to the needs of the integration platform as a whole that involves internal and external system integrations. Cloud-based EDI solutions allow businesses to scale resources, reduce capital expenses, and access data and applications from anywhere.

The following pyramid demonstrates how cloud-based EDI stands tall, offering unparalleled benefits and transforming B2B integration.

Cloud computing with EDI delivers bulletproof security, ensuring data integrity and protection against cyber threats. Its global reach facilitates access and collaboration from diverse geographic locations. Automation capabilities streamline repetitive tasks, boosting operational efficiency and productivity. With end-to-end visibility through business tracking portals, organizations gain insights into processes and performance, aiding informed decision-making.

Cloud-based solutions provide real-time monitoring and alerting to proactively address potential issues. Integration with identity management tools ensures seamless and secure user authentication. These combined features make EDI cloud computing an essential tool for organizations seeking to enhance security, optimize operations, and achieve scalable, accessible, and automated IT infrastructure.

Cloud migration – your journey into the cloud and a future-proof IT landscape

Cloud migration is a transformative journey for organizations moving their IT infrastructure and B2B applications from on-premises systems to the cloud. It is important to understand the three options available for cloud migration — fully managed services, iPaaS and on-premises.

The last area of discussion in our EDI modernization journey is partner onboarding automation.

In the B2B/EDI integration world, onboarding a new trading partner is an ongoing and continuous process due to the dynamic nature of business relationships. As businesses expand and form new partnerships, they must adapt their EDI processes to accommodate new partners, ensuring seamless communication and data exchange. However, manual onboarding presents several challenges for organizations such as highly inefficient processes, unnecessary time consumption, resource dependency, lack of visibility to the stakeholders and no traceability.

Manual EDI onboarding vs. self-service partner onboarding

Manual EDI onboarding can have a significant and adverse impact on an organization’s operations and growth. This impact becomes even more serious when the business misses potential revenues due to delays in onboarding EDI partners. Delays in data exchange and collaboration can result in missed opportunities and dissatisfied customers, leading to financial losses and hampering the organization’s growth prospects. Adopting efficient onboarding processes and modern EDI solutions is crucial to ensure timely partner integration and maintain seamless operations, thus positively influencing revenue generation and business growth.

To overcome the challenges faced by manual EDI onboarding, a self-service partner onboarding portal is the need of the hour. The self-service portal is the first step towards the automation that empowers organizations to expedite the onboarding process, improve collaboration, and enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of their B2B onboarding efforts.

This portal provides trading partners with the much-needed capability to initiate the onboarding process themselves, thereby reducing the need for intervention and speeding up the timeline. With self-service onboarding capabilities, trading partners can quickly provide information and documentation leading to faster data validation and integration. This efficiency not only saves time but minimizes errors since partners directly enter their own data, reducing the risk of inaccuracies during data entry. The self-service portal also promotes collaboration by facilitating information exchange and smoother partner onboarding information. Organizations can monitor the progress in time, allowing them to promptly identify and resolve any issues that may arise.

In addition to the benefits of increased efficiency and enhanced collaboration, a self-service onboarding portal for onboarding EDI partners also serves as a gateway for trading partners to access the organization’s service offerings. This does not only help them understand which services are available, but also enables them to make informed decisions regarding their interactions with the organization. Plus, the portal enables trading partners to independently manage their service requirements without relying on colleagues or dealing with communication channels. The self-service onboarding portal is designed with a user-friendly interface, making the onboarding process simple and accessible for partners of all backgrounds. Ultimately, a self-service EDI partner onboarding portal as part of a community management application greatly improves the onboarding experience, for both organizations and their trading partners, enhancing efficiency, accuracy and collaboration.

EDI modernization is an essential process that aims to help businesses adapt their EDI systems to the digital age. In this blog series, we have covered important topics such as the importance of modernization initiatives in today’s world, the benefits of an API-led approach for businesses, the importance of a new modern mapper, and the role of cloud computing and partner onboarding automation. We also briefly discussed security and monitoring aspects.

How SEEBURGER can help

SEEBURGER offers a wide range of services and platform capabilities that can assist your EDI modernization journey by transforming your current legacy EDI landscape into a modern B2B ecosystem. All this is possible with the SEEBURGER BIS Platform. The BIS Platform supports your cloud migration initiatives with secure, rapid scalability and industry data standards. Deploy the BIS Platform as an iPaaS or with fully managed services in any cloud, on-premises or a hybrid environment.

SEEBURGER’s Community Management Application (CMA), powered by the BIS Platform, is also a powerful tool to support your partner onboarding initiative, facilitating seamless automation and efficiency.