SaaS EDI Or On-Premise EDI: What's Best For Your Business?

EDI allows businesses to exchange documents and data between trading partners in a standardized electronic format, which eliminates the need for manual data entry and reduces errors, delays, and costs associated with paper-based transactions. EDI supports the exchange of various types of business documents, such as purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, and payment confirmations. EDI is widely used in supply chain management, logistics, and manufacturing industries to streamline business processes and improve efficiency.

What is SaaS EDI?

SaaS EDI, or Software-as-a-Service EDI, is a cloud-based EDI solution that enables businesses to exchange electronic documents with their trading partners without the need for on-premises hardware or software. With SaaS EDI, businesses can access EDI functionality through a web-based interface provided by a third-party service provider. The service provider is responsible for hosting, maintaining, and upgrading the software and infrastructure.

SaaS EDI is typically offered as a subscription-based service, where businesses pay a recurring fee for access to the service.

What is on-premise EDI

On-premise EDI refers to an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) implementation model where businesses deploy and operate EDI software on their own servers and within their own IT infrastructure. With on-premise EDI, businesses have complete control over the EDI software and hardware, but they are also responsible for maintaining and upgrading the software, as well as ensuring the hardware infrastructure is adequate to support the EDI implementation.

The difference between SaaS EDI and on-premise EDI

SaaS EDI and on-premise EDI are two different deployment models for electronic data interchange (EDI) solutions. The main differences between SaaS EDI and on-premise EDI can be summarized as follows:

• Infrastructure:With SaaS EDI, businesses do not need to invest in their own hardware or software infrastructure, as the software is hosted and managed by the service provider in the cloud. With on-premise EDI, businesses must invest in their own hardware and software infrastructure to support the EDI implementation.
• Scalability: SaaS EDI solutions are typically designed to be highly scalable, allowing businesses to easily add or remove trading partners, increase or decrease transaction volumes, and adapt to changing business needs. On-premise EDI solutions often require significant upfront investment in hardware, software, and IT personnel, which can make it difficult for businesses to quickly adapt to changing business needs.
• Cost: SaaS EDI is typically more affordable than on-premise EDI, as businesses do not need to invest in their own hardware or software infrastructure, and the software is provided as a subscription-based service. On-premise EDI requires significant investment in hardware, software, and IT resources to set up and maintain the EDI infrastructure.
• Accessibility: SaaS EDI is typically more accessible than on-premise EDI, as businesses can access the EDI software from anywhere with an internet connection. On-premise EDI requires businesses to be physically present at their own location to access the EDI software and infrastructure.
• Faster implementation: SaaS EDI solutions can be implemented more quickly than on-premise solutions, which can help businesses start realizing the benefits of EDI sooner.
• Integration: SaaS EDI solutions are typically built using modern, web-based technologies and APIs, which makes it easier to integrate with other cloud-based software and platforms. SaaS EDI vendors may also provide pre-built integrations with popular ERP and CRM systems, which can save businesses time and resources. On-premise EDI solutions may require more complex and time-consuming integration efforts, especially when integrating with cloud-based software and platforms. This is because On-premise EDI solutions are typically installed on local servers and may require custom integration work to communicate with other systems.

SaaS EDI is a popular choice among businesses because it offers accessibility, customization, and affordability and only pays for the features and services they need.

Key things to look for in a SaaS EDI Solution

When looking for a SaaS EDI solution, there are several important factors to consider:

• Compatibility with your trading partners: Ensure that the SaaS EDI solution can support the specific document types and messaging protocols used by your trading partners.
• Integration capabilities: Check if the solution can easily integrate with your existing ERP, CRM, and other business systems to automate workflows and improve efficiency.
• Customizability: Look for a solution that can be customized to your specific business needs and workflows, with the ability to add custom data fields and mapping rules.
• Ease of use: Look for a solution that is user-friendly and easy to navigate, with an intuitive interface that allows you to quickly and easily set up new trading partners and transactions.
• Scalability: Ensure that the SaaS EDI solution can easily scale up or down to meet your changing business needs, with the ability to add or remove trading partners and transactions as required.
• Security: Ensure that the SaaS EDI solution includes robust security features, such as encryption, access controls, and data backup and recovery.
• Support and training: Look for a vendor that provides comprehensive support and training resources to help you get up and running quickly and address any issues that arise.
• Pricing and contract terms: Consider the pricing model and contract terms offered by the vendor, including subscription costs, transaction fees, and any additional charges for support or customization services.

Infocon Systems’s SaaS EDI

Infocon Systems is a cloud-based platform that offers SaaS EDI as an API, allowing businesses to easily connect with their trading partners and meet their compliance requirements in real-time. With pre-built configurations, developers can quickly integrate EDI with any global partner within days, without having to worry about maintenance tasks such as storage, backup, and disaster management. By working closely with customers to understand their EDI goals, Infocon Systems is able to provide customized plans at a low fee to help businesses achieve their goals. Overall, Infocon Systems is a cost-effective and efficient solution for businesses looking to streamline their EDI processes and improve their relationships with trading partners.

To learn more about how Infocon Systems can take care of your EDI needs for your business, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at +1 888-339-0722 or email sales@infoconn.com. We’d love to hear from you.