Electronic Data Interchange has played a critical role in logistics for decades. Since the 1960s, transportation companies have used EDI to transform their operations from disorganized and complicated to streamlined and efficient. With EDI, modern-day logistics enterprises automate the generation and sharing of procurement, shipping, and payment information, resulting in better coordination, reduced errors, and lower costs across supply chains.
Transportation and Logistics businesses leverage EDI through logistics EDI software. EDI software provides the technical infrastructure for electronic data exchange, including transaction management, data mapping, and connectivity between business applications. As a result, it eliminates the need for firms to use paper documents or manual data entry to share information with outside players, which can be costly, time-consuming, and error-prone.
EDI solutions for logistics have evolved tremendously over the years. What started as a basic means of exchanging documents such as shipping documents, carrier bill of lading documents, and delivery confirmations, has become a complex ecosystem of solutions that can handle the most sophisticated supply chain requirements. Furthermore, numerous variants of EDI platforms exist to fit the unique needs of every logistics enterprise.
If you are a transportation or logistics company looking for an EDI software solution, you may be wondering which platform is best for your business. After all, with so many options on the market, it can be difficult for even the most experienced EDI users to identify the right solution.
To help you in your search, we have outlined some of the best EDI software for logistics.
Top EDI Software for Logistics
The best logistics EDI solutions have several key features in common. They are comprehensive, user-friendly, backed by excellent customer support, and offer a full suite of EDI solutions to meet the needs of even the most complex carrier, rail, ocean, and 3PL supply chains.
Here are three EDI solutions that perfectly fit the bill.
Cleo
Cleo is a leading provider of cloud-based integration platforms with over 500 logistics customers worldwide. The company's flagship product is the Cleo Integration Cloud (CIC), a cloud-native suite purpose-built to facilitate the design, building, operation, and optimization of critical ecosystem integration processes.
CIC provides end-to-end integration across EDI, non-EDI, and API integrations, pre-defined partner profiles, connectors, and a comprehensive any-to-any transformation engine, giving businesses the confidence to connect all sorts of applications, rapidly onboard trading partners, and accelerate revenue-generating business processes.
Signing up for CIC gives you three implementation options: self-service, fully outsourced; managed services, or a blended approach. Therefore, you can use Cleo's powerful integration capabilities regardless of your operation's size, budget, and EDI requirements.
A Cleo partner since 2012, Remedi helps businesses gain a strategic edge over their competitors by leveraging the EDI, API, EAI (Enterprise Application Integration, and MFT (Managed File Transfer) capabilities inherent in Cleo Integration Cloud. With Remedi, you can quickly and easily deploy CIC to connect applications, systems, and databases and automate your B2B ecosystem.
IBM
The IBM Sterling Supply Chain Suite is an end-to-end set of solutions with which logistics service providers can plan, execute, and monitor their operations. It provides the visibility, real-time insights, and recommendations logistics firms need to turn disruptions into opportunities.
IBM Sterling B2B Integrator combines EDI and API integration to enable the automation and orchestration of supply chain processes and partner interactions on one platform. Moreover, with support for peak transaction volumes, AI-powered data insights, and global availability, IBM B2B Integrator helps you detect anomalies before they manifest and respond proactively.
As with all EDI packages, IBM B2B Integrator requires considerable technical expertise to implement. Thankfully, you can simplify the process considerably with Remedi's Architecture and Workflow Framework. The Remedi Framework includes pre-built libraries, parameter-driven processes, dashboards, reports, and other relevant components, providing a seamless, flexible, and scalable integration architecture.
With Remedi's framework, you can set up IBM Sterling B2B Integrator four times faster and benefit from an efficient, cost-effective workflow experience.
TrueCommerce
The TrueCommerce Trading Partner Platform is one of the most comprehensive B2B integration solutions. Integrating everything from EDI and API to inventory management, fulfillment, digital storefronts, and marketplaces on a single platform, TrueCommerce gives you the end-to-end visibility and control you need to overcome disruptions and stay ahead of the curve.
TrueCommerce provides fully-managed, cloud-native services that free you from EDI challenges like ever-changing partner requirements, evolving technology, and tightening data management regulations. Furthermore, focusing on flexible deployment options, TrueCommerce allows you to choose the tools and tasks you need rather than forcing you into extraneous components.
For decades, TrueCommerce has helped firms ranging from startups to global Fortune 500 companies become more connected, supported, and prepared for the future. With an extensive partner network, an impressive client retention rate, and proven scalability.
How Remedi Helped a Deep-Water Ports Authority Transform Its Operations with IBM Sterling
Thriving amid supply chain disruptions means accommodating extreme volumes, quickly onboarding new trading partners, spotting problems before they hit, and adapting on the fly. These requirements were top of mind for a deep-water ports authority when it began searching for an EDI solution that could provide dynamic message routing to support a planned migration between terminal operating systems.
Remedi recommended that the authority migrate to IBM Sterling B2B Integrator. Led by Remedi's lead architect and a mapping specialist, the project team successfully implemented IBM Sterling B2B Integrator and deployed the Remedi framework for IBM B2B Integrator to simplify integration and onboarding.
In addition to extending its message processing capabilities, the authority benefited from faster partner onboarding times, better document visibility, improved reporting, and advanced scalability for anticipated growth.
Remedi is Your Trusted EDI Integration Partner for Logistics and Transportation
As the logistics and transportation landscape evolves, so too must your B2B integration capabilities. Whether you're looking to implement a new solution or upgrade your existing one, you can count on Remedi to provide the expert guidance and support you need to succeed.
Looking for an EDI solution to automate your transactions without the hassle of supporting a never-ending flow of new EDI requirements?
Visit Remedi's EDI logistics page for more information and real world use cases featuring EDI software implemented by our EDI consultants.
