There is no shortage of EDI technology suppliers, but here’s what I find with small to mid-size businesses that are just being introduced to EDI – usually by some gargantuan customer like WalMart, Best Buy, Michael’s, or similar. They (the small business) are required to submit to EDI requirements in order to accept business from the big-box merchant customer, but if the big-box merchant customer makes a mistake or fails to comply with the EDI standards, it is too often still the little guy (the small business) that gets penalized.

For example, I was told by one of our clients that on several occasions their big-box customers submitted orders via EDI that contained incorrect ItemIDs (part numbers). In compliance with EDI standards promulgated by the big-box customer, their EDI system properly replied through appropriate channels with a “Not Acknowledged” response, indicating that the order was rejected due to errors (with the appropriate indication of the failed item or items). However, the big-box buyers apparently did not monitor their end of the EDI for failed acknowledgements, so when the order didn’t ship on time, it was the small business that still got penalized for the late shipment!

Of course, this is unfair on the face of it. However, what is "the little guy” supposed to do?

Well, one of the things that excited me in speaking with the Don Quatacker of DiCentral is that one of the things they do as a service for their clients is represent them as a group to the big-box merchants and other “bullies” in the EDI marketplace. That is to say, our "little guy" client had virtually no leverage in going back to its big-box customer to complain about being penalized for the big-box merchant’s failure to keep up its end of the EDI bargain. However, DiCentral can go to a big-box merchant and say, “We represent 300 different vendors that do business with you, and here’s what’s happening: You guys are penalizing these vendors when they are fully complying with EDI standards that you set!” Representing a large number of EDI users gives DiCentral leverage that "the little guys" do not have in getting the big-box “bullies” to listen to the complaints.

Another thing I like about DiCentral's solutions is that you can “grow” into EDI using their systems. You can start out just using their EDI Web application, and then later grow into a full-fledged EDI solution integrated with your ERP system. Later steps can include RFID and other advanced integrations with your entire supply chain.

Anyway, you may wish to take a look.