Supply Chain

AI in the Supply Chain: EDI’s Genius Cousin-And Teammate

We recently asked how organizations are using AI in our monthly poll. While we wait for those results, let’s look at how AI powers and augments the supply chain. Modern supply chains are getting smarter, faster, and more resilient—not by abandoning the foundations of electronic data interchange (EDI), but by…
READ

Everything You Need to Know About ANSI X12

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the backbone of modern supply chain communication, and at the heart of EDI standards in North America is ANSI X12. While often overlooked compared to newer integration buzzwords like APIs and cloud platforms, ANSI X12 remains essential for companies exchanging mission-critical business documents across industries.…
READ

Supply Chain Predictions: Into the 2030s

The global supply chain is in a state of constant evolution. From pandemics and port closures to labor strikes and raw material shortages, the last decade has shown just how fragile—and how resilient—supply chains can be. At the same time, technological advancements and changing customer expectations are creating new opportunities…
READ

What Are the Top Supply Chain Analytics Challenges?

Updated 9/23/25 Today’s enterprise relies on data collection and analysis for an edge over their competition. Data analysis plays an important role in realizing the benefits of EDI, as it enables companies to gain a deeper understanding of their supply chain’s dynamics and complexities. Analytics can help improve decision-making, uncover…
READ

What is an SDQ Purchase Order?

Updated 8/27/25 Efficiency often comes down to how well data is shared and utilized. That’s where SDQ (Ship Destination Quantity) purchase orders—sometimes called spreadsheet or explosion orders—prove their value. By reducing redundant data, these orders streamline communication and eliminate the need to send the same sales order header multiple times.…
READ

EDI Enablement for Your Business: What It Is & Why It Matters

Updated 8/22/25 Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has been around for decades, streamlining the way companies exchange business documents like purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, and other critical files. For many organizations, implementing an EDI system has already eliminated mountains of paper, reduced manual processes, and deepened trading partner relationships. But…
READ

IoT EDI: How the Internet of Things is Transforming Electronic Data Interchange

Updated 8/20/25 The Internet of Things (IoT) and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) may sound like separate technologies, but together they form a powerful combination for modern supply chains. IoT devices capture real-time, event-driven data from trucks, warehouses, and even vending machines, while EDI platforms provide the standardized language to transmit…
READ

Modern B2B: Cloud-Based EDI + Supply Chain Visibility

Updated 8/14/25 You would have to be living under a rock not to see that everything is subscription-based nowadays. I even see it on Facebook with my boomer cousins complaining about MS Office moving to subscriptions. It’s not going away, and CDs aren’t coming back (yes, I have an Apple…
READ

EDI Benefits: From Multiple POVs

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is no longer just a technical solution; it’s a strategic asset that impacts every department within an organization. While the core function of EDI technology is to facilitate the electronic exchange of business documents like purchase orders and invoices, the EDI benefits go far beyond data…
READ

Supply Chain Analytics Explained: Key Benefits & Applications

Updated 8/8/25 Supply chain networks are complex systems with many moving parts and their efficiency can make or break a business. Supply chain and EDI analytics, a specialized branch of business analytics, has emerged as a game-changer, helping organizations optimize operations, reduce costs, and mitigate risks. This critical business function involves…
READ

Why Data Integration is Critical to Digital Transformation

Digital transformation is no longer a buzzword—it’s a strategic imperative. Organizations are leveraging advanced technologies to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and maintain competitive advantages. But amid all the talk of cloud platforms, AI, and automation, one critical factor often gets overlooked: data integration. Without seamless data integration for EDI,…
READ

How EDI Optimizes Your Supply Chain

Optimizing supply chain operations is not just a strategic advantage—it’s a necessity. One of the most effective tools enabling this optimization is Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). EDI refers to the structured transmission of business data between organizations in a standard electronic format, without the need for human intervention. And EDI…
READ

EDI 856 (ASN) Explained: Definition and Business Impact

Updated 5/15/25 EDI and specifically the Advanced Ship Notice (EDI 856/ASN) provide effective supply chain communication and efficient data exchange, which are crucial for B2B success. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a technology that allows companies to exchange business documents electronically, streamlining processes and reducing errors. Among the various EDI…
READ