When EDI integration turns into a headache, it might be time to reconsider your provider.
When it comes to Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Infor VISUAL users are in a unique spot. You’ve already invested in a robust ERP tailored for manufacturers, but plugging EDI into that system can either be smooth and streamlined or a complete headache.
Whether you’re switching EDI providers or starting fresh, the quality of your integration can make or break your daily operations. Here’s what to look for—and what to watch out for—when connecting EDI to Infor VISUAL.
1. Plug-and-Play Setup
You shouldn’t need to reinvent your workflow just to start exchanging documents with trading partners. A modern integration should “snap into place” with minimal configuration and no lengthy development cycle.
2. API Compatibility
Infor VISUAL has evolved—and so should your EDI solution. API support makes integrations faster, more flexible, and more resilient when business requirements change. It also gives you options down the road (like automation or real-time visibility).
3. End-to-End Integration
Look for a provider that can handle not just the data transmission, but also mapping, validation, error handling, and dashboard visibility—all connected cleanly to Infor VISUAL. Anything less means more manual work for your team.
4. Transparency and Support
Ever feel like your EDI vendor speaks in riddles? Clear pricing, simple dashboards, and fast support response times matter more than ever. Especially when you're up against retailer chargebacks or shipping cutoffs.
5. Plug-and-Play EDI-Enabled Shipping System
Shipping isn’t just about slapping a label on a box—it’s about accuracy, compliance, and speed. A scalable EDI VAN should offer a shipping system that simplifies fulfillment workflows and keeps your operations moving. That means built-in support for pick lists, pack lists, BOLs, label requirements, and compliant ASNs. When your EDI solution can handle the entire shipping process without needing workarounds or manual input, your team saves time—and your customers get what they need, faster.
1. Middleware Nightmares
If your “integration” requires a third-party tool just to talk to Infor VISUAL, it may cost you more time and money than you save.
2. Long Implementation Times
If your EDI VAN needs months—or even quarters—to get you up and running, something’s off. A modern solution should move at the speed of your business. Long lead times not only delay ROI, but also leave your team stuck in limbo, juggling manual workarounds while waiting for go-live.
3. Never-Ending, Over-Budget Projects
Some EDI implementations feel like they were designed to test your patience—and your budget. If your provider doesn’t understand the shipping world (or can’t speak the language of your warehouse team), you’ll waste time translating needs and fixing misaligned setups. Long timelines, mounting costs, and out-of-touch implementers are a red flag.
If you're using Infor VISUAL, BOLD VAN offers a plug-and-play solution that makes full EDI integration refreshingly simple. We support API connections, provide full-service onboarding, and never charge setup or migration fees. It’s everything you need—without the complexity.
If your EDI needs extend into the warehouse, BOLD VAN has you covered there too. Our warehouse platform, DES (Distribution Enablement System), integrates seamlessly with Infor VISUAL to provide real-time visibility into fulfillment, inventory, and shipping workflows. You will be 100% EDI compliant with DES.
Whether you're managing your own distribution center or working with 3PLs, DES helps ensure your data flows smoothly from order to dock. The result? Fewer errors, faster processing, and better communication across your entire supply chain—all connected to your ERP.
Contact us to see how fast we can get you up and running.
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