A Modern Approach to EDI with Jonathan Kish and Joe Lynch

Dec 12, 2023 | 36 Min Read

Overview

Joe Lynch, host of The Logistics of Logistics Podcast, discusses a modern approach to EDI with Jonathan Kish, Vice President of Business Development at Orderful. Listen to the podcast or read below to learn about EDI and EDI integration challenges. Orderful’s self-service API eliminates the need to build point-to-point EDI integrations, reduces costs, and decreases time to onboard new trading partners by 80%.

Welcome to the Logistics of Logistics

A podcast dedicated to exploring how things get places and the people who get them there. We’ll talk with logistics and supply chain leaders about innovation, industry trends, and the future of the logistics business.

Discussion

  1. Introduction

    • Joe Lynch introduces Jonathan Kish.
    • Jonathan is the Vice President of Business Development at Orderful.
    • Discusses the challenges of integrating with legacy EDI systems.

  2. Orderful Overview

    • Modern, REST-based API reduces onboarding time by 80%.
    • Replaces complex, lengthy EDI processes with simpler integration.

  3. Challenges of EDI

    • EDI dates back to the 1960s; no single source of truth causes complications.
    • Every partner may have their own EDI standards, making integration complex.

  4. EDI vs. API

    • EDI is milestone-based communication, while APIs allow continuous back-and-forth interactions.
    • The analogy of dining at a restaurant to describe EDI (order taken to the kitchen) versus API (direct communication at the counter).

  5. Integration Process Without Orderful

    • Building integrations can take 8-12 weeks or more.
    • Involves cumbersome processes, with unclear communication methods leading to project delays.

  6. How Orderful Streamlines Integration

    • Connects once to JSON API.
    • Guidelines are digitized and tested in real time.
    • Reduces onboarding time from weeks/months to just a few days.

  7. Cost Savings

    • With Orderful, the long integration process is transformed into an easier, cleaner workflow.
    • Projects that would typically take months can now become profitable sooner.

  8. Impact on Suppliers

    • Enables smaller companies to compete with larger retailers without extensive tech overhead.
    • Simplifies the procurement process by breaking down barriers to entry.

  9. Business Development with Orderful

    • Working with logistics companies and technology partners to provide EDI solutions.
    • Encourages businesses to connect with existing partners seamlessly through their API.

  10. Future of EDI and APIs

    • EDI will persist due to existing legacy systems, but the transition towards modern APIs is on the horizon.

Conclusion

  • The discussion emphasizes the revolutionizing potential of the Orderful platform in EDI management, making it accessible and efficient for companies across various industries.
  • Joe Lynch encourages listeners to reach out for more information about integrating with Orderful.