[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1522650041704{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 100px !important;}"][vc_column offset="vc_col-lg-9 vc_col-md-9"][vc_single_image image="1910" img_size="stm-image-1110x550-croped" css=".vc_custom_1520326066764{margin-bottom: 45px !important;}"][vc_custom_heading source="post_title" font_container="tag:h3|text_align:left" use_theme_fonts="yes"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1519376760178{margin-bottom: 25px !important;}"]Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the computer-to-computer exchange of business documents in a standard electronic format between business partners.

By moving from a paper-based exchange of business document to one that is electronic, businesses enjoy major benefits such as reduced cost, increased processing speed, reduced errors and improved relationships with business partners. Learn more about the benefits of EDI here.

Each term in the definition is significant:
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Computer-to-computer</strong>ÔÇô EDI replaces postal mail, fax and email. While email is also an electronic approach, the documents exchanged via email must still be handled by people rather than computers. Having people involved slows down the processing of the documents and also introduces errors. Instead, EDI documents can flow straight through to the appropriate application on the receiverÔÇÖs computer (e.g., the Order Management System) and processing can begin immediately.</li>
 	<li><strong>Business documents</strong>┬áÔÇô These are any of the documents that are typically exchanged between businesses. The most common documents exchanged via EDI are purchase orders, invoices and advance ship notices. But there are many, many others such as bill of lading, customs documents, inventory documents, shipping status documents and payment documents.</li>
 	<li><strong>Standard format</strong>ÔÇô Because EDI documents must be processed by computers rather than humans, a standard format must be used so that the computer will be able to read and understand the documents. A standard format describes what each piece of information is and in what format (e.g., integer, decimal, mmddyy). Without a standard format, each company would send documents using its company-specific format and, much as an English-speaking person probably doesnÔÇÖt understand Japanese, the receiverÔÇÖs computer system doesnÔÇÖt understand the company-specific format of the senderÔÇÖs format.
<ul>
 	<li>There are several EDI standards in use today, including ANSI, EDIFACT, TRADACOMS and ebXML. And, for each standard there are many different versions, e.g., ANSI 5010 or EDIFACT version D12, Release A. When two businesses decide to exchange EDI documents, they must agree on the specific EDI standard and version.</li>
 	<li>Businesses typically use an EDI translator ÔÇô either as in-house software or via an EDI service provider ÔÇô to translate the EDI format so the data can be used by their internal applications and thus enable straight through processing of documents.</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Business partners</strong>┬áÔÇô The exchange of EDI documents is typically between two different companies, referred to as business partners or trading partners. For example, Company A may buy goods from Company B. Company A sends orders to Company B. Company A and Company B are business partners.</li>
</ul>
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1521466750380{margin-bottom: 34px !important;}"]
<blockquote>Thought Centrix help companies assess their skills and choose a new direction which utilizes the talents of the team and resources most productively.</blockquote>
[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner disable_element="yes" css=".vc_custom_1521718531354{margin-bottom: 27px !important;}"][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_custom_heading text="Safety net &amp; build wealth" font_container="tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23222222" use_theme_fonts="yes" css=".vc_custom_1456311057010{margin-bottom: 27px !important;}"][stm_charts design="circle" legend_position="right" values_circle="%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22One%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2240%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22%238d6dc4%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Two%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2230%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22%23f79468%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Three%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2240%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22%23cec2ab%22%7D%5D" width="208" height="208" css=".vc_custom_1453102995785{margin-bottom: 14px !important;}"][vc_column_text]You can transform your business to a revenue-producing asset that lets you work as much or as little as you want.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_custom_heading text="Business planning &amp; strategy" font_container="tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23222222" use_theme_fonts="yes" css=".vc_custom_1456311065739{margin-bottom: 23px !important;}"][vc_column_text]Our clients are often surprised by the possibilities we present to them; by thinking outside the box we present exciting new ventures:
<ul>
 	<li>Work fewer hours ÔÇö and make more money</li>
 	<li>Attract and retain quality, high-paying customers</li>
 	<li>Manage your time so youÔÇÖll get more done in less time</li>
 	<li>Hone sharp leadership skills to manage your team</li>
 	<li>Cut expenses without sacrificing quality</li>
 	<li>Automate your business, so you can leave for days,</li>
</ul>
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner disable_element="yes"][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_custom_heading text="Business plan market" font_container="tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23222222" use_theme_fonts="yes" css=".vc_custom_1456311087657{margin-bottom: 23px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1452766167584{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}"]A strong business plan requires going beyond intuition and experience, and supporting your idea with fact-based market research. Investors need to have confidence in your understanding of the market, so don't let yourself down by skimping on research. We have access to fee-based, subscriber-only resources such as:[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Don James/Semplice</strong> ÔÇô Article and News Research</li>
 	<li><strong>VoltageBusiness</strong> ÔÇô Company and Industry Research</li>
 	<li><strong>Goovers</strong> ÔÇô Company and Industry Research</li>
 	<li><strong>IRISpace</strong> ÔÇô Article and News Research</li>
 	<li><strong>Lexos-Nexos</strong> ÔÇô Company, Industry, Market Research</li>
 	<li><strong>Plombett</strong> ÔÇô Article and News Research</li>
 	<li><strong>Pronounce</strong> ÔÇô Market Analysis report ÔÇ£SlicesÔÇØ</li>
</ul>
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_custom_heading text="Competitor research &amp; analysis" font_container="tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23222222" use_theme_fonts="yes" css=".vc_custom_1456311094682{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}"][stm_charts values="%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22One%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2210%3B%2015%3B%2020%3B%2025%3B%2027%3B%2025%3B%2023%3B%2025%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22%23fe6c61%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Two%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2225%3B%2018%3B%2016%3B%2017%3B%2020%3B%2025%3B%2030%3B%2035%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22%235472d2%22%7D%5D" width="395" height="410"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]
<div class="vc_btn3-container vc_btn3-left" style="text-align: center;"><code>[estimation_form form_id="7"]</code></div>
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4" offset="vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs"][stm_sidebar sidebar="3072"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width="stretch_row" css=".vc_custom_1459505959648{margin-bottom: -60px !important;}" el_class="third_bg_color"][vc_column][vc_cta h2="Looking for a First-Class Business Plan Consultant?" h2_font_container="font_size:20px|color:%23ffffff|line_height:24px" h2_use_theme_fonts="yes" shape="square" style="flat" add_button="right" btn_title="get a quote" btn_style="flat" btn_color="theme_style_2" btn_align="right" btn_i_align="right" btn_i_icon_fontawesome="fa fa-chevron-right" use_custom_fonts_h2="true" btn_add_icon="true" btn_link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fthoughtcentrix.com%2Fget-quote%2F|||" el_class="third_bg_color" css=".vc_custom_1522696631795{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}"][/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row]