Successfully transitioning to EDI: 5 key lessons

Here are 5 key lessons learned from a major EDI migration project.

1. Anticipate future developments (ERP, invoicing, architecture, etc.)

This EDI migration project took place in a doubly complex context. It combined an ERP change with the planned shutdown of an on-premise EDI solution for a multi-subsidiary mid-sized company.
From the outset, a comprehensive analysis of the technical and business impacts was conducted. This allowed us to anticipate risks and develop a realistic schedule.

🎯 Tip: Start by taking stock of your information system. Also consider all current or upcoming projects: ERP migration, compliance, architecture redesign, etc. EDI is at the heart of your business processes. It is therefore essential to think broadly and long-term.

2. Opt for a scalable solution adapted to your ecosystem

Faced with the limitations of an aging infrastructure, the company opted for a SaaS EDI platform. This strategic choice reduced maintenance and licensing costs. It also ensured greater scalability.
As a result, the organization can now more easily manage its EDI flows, even in a multi-site, multi-partner, international environment.

🎯 Tip: Choose a flexible and interoperable SaaS solution. It must be able to adapt to the diversity of your flows while remaining compliant with the regulatory requirements of the Finance Act(e-invoicing). In short, your solution must evolve with you.

3. Move forward in stages, securing each phase

The project was divided into two major phases, applied successively to the various subsidiaries.

• First, the migration of EDI communications to the SaaS platform with simple routing of flows from the old ERP.
• Second, the activation of EDI translations to the new ERP.

This method made it possible to support the ERP migration without interrupting data exchanges.

🎯 Tip: Structure your project into clear stages: by flow, by subsidiary, or by document type. Validate each phase before moving on to the next. A successful EDI migration also relies on good change management.

4. Involve your business teams and partners in testing

A change to an ERP system inevitably leads to interface changes. It is therefore essential to validate all business flows using an appropriate testing strategy.
In this project, each type of flow was tested in chronological order, with all partners. This made the migration more reliable.

🎯 Tip: Take into account the technical or organizational specificities of your partners. A shared SaaS platform greatly facilitates this phase, unlike a point-to-point model.

5. Choose a partner capable of combining technical, business, and support expertise

Technology isn’t everything. The project’s success also depended on solid support: understanding of business challenges, rigorous project management, secure data exchanges, regulatory compliance, and more.
Everything was carried out smoothly, without disrupting the work of internal teams.

🎯 Tip: Don’t just choose a solution. Choose a true EDI partner, capable of advising you and engaging with you. They must understand your challenges, speak the language of your teams, and actively contribute to the project’s success.