As a small business owner, finding a competitive edge is difficult. You are up against big corporations and other small companies scrambling to capture a limited customer pool. In an ever-increasing digital age, finding solutions for electronic data interchange (EDI) is key to sending invoices, tracking purchase orders and offering shipping notifications.

Rather than warehouse staff spending time manually entering these tasks, EDI systems automate the grunt work. Your staff has more time to improve processes and get orders out on time. Finding the right option for your needs takes effort.

How We Choose the Best EDI Solutions for SMBs

The best EDI solutions for small and medium-sized businesses vary based on your industry and what compliance measures you must take. However, the best options simplify workflows and integrate with existing software. Pay attention to your company’s growth patterns and how well the system might scale as you grow.

We considered a few key factors to choose the top seven EDI solutions for SMBs.

We also looked at third-party reviews and customer testimonials and compared features based on pricing and customization options. We narrowed the list to seven EDI solutions that meet the needs of most SMBs.

1. ConnectPointz

ConnectPointz is top of the list for its customization options and seamless integration. The company has been in the industry for over 35 years. Its specializations include backend system integration. It’s worked to automate processes for e-commerce, logistics, accounting, ERP operations and many other industries.

Businesses of all sizes benefit from the custom integration solution’s affordable and predictable pricing models. Users report how easy it is to use and the detailed onboarding process for new clients.

ConnectPointz has a massive ecosystem of integrations and applications to reduce human errors and deliver fully automated solutions for omnichannel selling. Data connects from SAP, QuickBooks, ERP, accounting, logistics and retailers and offers custom solutions to allow integration with any third-party platform.

Key Features

2. TrueCommerce

TrueCommerce is praised for its ability to connect an entire supply chain seamlessly. Some of the capabilities include access to a global network to automate compliance for your industry. It tracks inventory and auto-replenishes when running low. TrueCommerce integrates EDI, digital storefronts and marketplaces.

Founded in 1995, the company focuses on simplifying supply chains through its EDI solutions. Because many of its users are nontechnical, it offers complete onboarding and helps with transaction management to meet retailer compliance rules.

 Key Features

3. SPS Commerce

SPS Commerce offers a full range of EDI solutions focusing on retail businesses. Retailers needing to meet trading partner EDI requirements on the fly will find this solution provides one of the fastest and easiest deployment strategies. Many of the brand’s customers work with big box retailers like Walmart and Target.

The company was initially dubbed St. Paul Software and was founded in 1987. In 2001, the company rebranded as SPS Commerce. With over 38 years of experience in EDI, the staff is adept at navigating complex issues.

The platform works with tens of thousands of retail partners to save time on setup. SPS Commerce is also known for its excellent support services. You won’t have to handle much of the technical details, which frees you up to focus on building your brand.

Key Features

4. Babelway

With headquarters in Belgium, Babelway is part of the list for its ability to create custom workflows for those without coding knowledge. Businesses maintain control of their document workflows. If your SMB wants customization but doesn’t yet have an IT staff, it’s an excellent solution.

Founded by Francois Van Uffelen and Mathieu Pasture in 2007, the company was bought by Tradeshift in 2018. Tradeshift brings expertise in cloud-based business networks. Small business owners can design EDI and non-EDI workflows through a drag-and-drop user interface.

It’s known for managing multiple document formats and adapting to varied communication standards. It is a self-service model with support.

Key Features

5. Cleo Integration Cloud

Founded in 1976, the company behind Cleo Integration Cloud has been in the business sphere for almost half a decade. At first, the brand was a hardware company offering voice data-gathering systems to SMBs. Later, it became a data integration software provider. Since 2012, the focus has been on integrations.

Cleo Integration Cloud is the best choice for businesses seeking rapid growth using CRMs, ERPs and other platforms and software. Cleo offers managed services or self-service, depending on your comfort level working with enterprise software. It made the list for experience and real-time monitoring so you can fix issues as they occur.

Key Features

What to Look for When Choosing an EDI Solution

Choosing the right solution for your business’s needs can impact your growth and procedural efficiency. Here are some key elements to consider when evaluating which EDI provider best suits your needs.

Will It Integrate With Existing Systems and Practices?

The right EDI solution should seamlessly connect to existing tech stacks. Make a list of which services you utilize and look for pre-built connections for accounting platforms. If you sell on eCommerce platforms, check that the EDI provider works alongside those or will customize a solution.

Does It Offer Onboarding?

Preparing your staff for using a new EDI program may be one of the most crucial steps in scaling up your business. The best solutions offer robust training programs, documentation and will provide custom workshops to get you up and running. However, custom solutions can be more expensive, so if you’re on a tight budget, consider a provider with training systems.

For brands without an in-house IT team, a managed service may help you reach your goals without the costs of a full-time staff. Seek the providers with low coding or zero coding.

Will the System Scale as You Grow?

Ideally, your company will grow and change as your industry does. Opt for services that support pricing that offers more flexibility as your customer base expands or you provide additional services. Ideally, you already have systems and can tag on more rather than starting over each time.

Key features you’ll need include multiple document formats, flexible workflows and various communication protocols such as FTP, API and AS2. Even if you only work with one or two partners, seek a solution with hundreds of templates so you can hit the ground running as you expand. Also, consider whether they’ll build custom solutions to meet your needs in the future.

Are They Compliant-Ready for Your Industry?

Seek a provider that already works with others in your niche. You want to ensure they understand your need to comply with various entities and digital retail platforms. For example, if you sell on Amazon, are they familiar with the terms of service there?

Seek automated features that manage compliance without your input to save time. You may still want to double-check to ensure you meet stringent requirements, but it is faster to spot-check already completed protocols. Seek a platform partnering with your third-party sales channels. If you sell on Costco and they offer a pre-built template, you’ll save time and reduce setup fees.

Is Pricing Transparent?

The last thing you want as a small or medium business is to get hit with massive fees you weren’t expecting for your EDI. Pay attention to what the EDI provider charges and if there are consumer complaints about sneaky practices.

If you know what to expect, planning for those costs is easier. To ensure you are getting the best value for your money, you should choose a brand with a free demo so you can see how much value it adds and whether the expense is worth the return on investment.

Does the EDI Have Enough Security and Support?

Many industries require you to protect consumer information so it doesn’t fall into the hands of cybercriminals. Ensuring whatever EDI company you select has excellent security to protect data is crucial to playing your part in keeping the data you collect safe.

Support can also make your experience excellent or awful. If you have a breach at three in the morning, can you call someone for immediate assistance? Before signing up, look at how many contact methods there are on the website. At a minimum, you should have a 24/7 live chat or toll-free number available.

What Are the Best EDI Solutions for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses?

It depends on your business size, industry and unique needs. As you evaluate EDI providers, try their free demo to see how the system fits your processes and needs to save time. Your staff can spend more effort on the creative endeavors that make your company stand out. Reducing errors and maintaining compliance with your trading partners is worth the effort of initial setup and added fees of using another service. You’ll know you have the best EDI solution for your organization when you find one that aligns with your goals, budget and needs.