EDI in logistics

EDI in logistics: Optimal networking becomes a requirement for forwarding success

EDI is not only efficient, but has long been standard in the cooperation between corporations and their logistics operations. Companies that do not have the technology hardly stand a chance in competition.

Digital requirements for logisticians are increasing

Whether corporate groups or medium-sized companies - today, customers in all industries expect more than fast delivery times. They want transparency as to when their goods are located where and in what quantity. Even across national borders. This is the only way they can optimize their supply chain.

Especially the lucrative orders from market leaders are linked to high requirements for logistics service providers. Due to just-in-time or just-in-sequence production, companies want to know how much goods individual trucks have loaded. Where is a transporter located in real time? This enables them to react in the best possible way in the event of delays, to reroute in the event of accidents, and to remove affected products from circulation as quickly as possible in the event of recalls.

How EDI supports the supply chain - example for purchase order and shipping notification

Automation and cyber-physical systems are about to fundamentally change the supply chain, but manual effort can already be minimized thanks to EDI.

Companies can use EDI, for example, to automatically send orders to their suppliers when stock levels fall below a minimum level in the warehouse. There, the companies can transfer the data unchanged into their own processes. This eliminates the risk of errors and delays due to media disruptions. When the goods are shipped, the freight forwarder sends its delivery notification via EDI, so that the retailer is informed about the status of his order in real time.

Positioning yourself for the future on the market with modern EDI solutions

Speed, flexibility, transparency - freight forwarders must adapt to these requirements. With all the challenges that this poses for data processing. One is the variety of data formats used.

Freight forwarders with their interface function work with different industries, each of which uses its own formats for data transmission via EDI. They work with traditional companies and startups. One uses legacy applications, the other the latest ERP systems. Both expect their service providers to meet their EDI requirements. EDI has become a de facto requirement for freight forwarding service providers to compete successfully in the heterogeneous logistics landscape. The quality - the reliability, adaptability and user-friendliness - of the EDI solution determines the competitiveness of a freight forwarding company.