What is EDI in retail?

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is used in the retail industry for exchanging documents. It replaces paper-based communication and removes the need for manual data entry.

How does EDI work in retail?

EDI in the retail industry automates the exchange of business documents like purchase orders, invoices, and shipping notices between retailers and suppliers. The system standardizes communication and facilitates and secures data exchange.

What are the benefits of EDI solutions for retail?

The retail industry uses EDI to facilitate inventory management, order fulfillment, and invoicing. It reduces manual errors, cuts down on administrative costs, speeds up transactions, and enhances supplier relationships.

How can EDI improve business operations in retail?

EDI improves operations by automating document exchanges, speeding up order processing, and ensuring accurate inventory management. It helps retailers respond faster to market demands, reduce stockouts, and maintain better control over supply chains.

Is Comarch EDI secure for sensitive data in retail?

Yes, EDI uses secure communication protocols, such as AS2 and encryption, to protect sensitive data. It ensures that transactions between retailers and suppliers are confidential, accurate, and comply with data protection regulations.

Can EDI integrate with existing retail systems?

Yes, EDI can easily integrate with existing retail systems like ERPs, WMS, and accounting software. This allows for data throughout your company’s systems, ensuring smooth workflow automation and minimizing disruptions to current operations.

EDI Solutions for Retail: Automate, Optimize, Grow

Effortless electronic data interchange in retail

Retail supply chains have to be more efficient than ever but e-invoicing mandates being implemented in many countries complicate this optimization. On top of that, retailers have to deal with inconsistent regulations regarding data in various regions. And these are just some of the challenges vendors have to deal with.

Luckily, there’s a comprehensive solution.

Comarch EDI streamlines processes, minimizes human labor, and guarantees smooth data transmission, whether you're a multinational shop or a business looking to enter new markets.

Your retail EDI challenges solved

Multiple systems in one company?

Comarch EDI enables advanced document routing, directing invoices to the right system based on high-quality master data. You can set automated rules or manually adjust routing as needed.

Problems with compliance?

Comarch EDI is compliant in 60+ countries and is continuously updated to reflect new e-invoicing and data exchange standards.

Poor master data quality?

Comarch EDI offers document enrichment, automatically supplementing invoices with missing data that isn't available in the source system. Anonymous enrichment mode is perfect for external document exchanges.
Alternatively, data can also be enriched manually, giving users full control over the process when needed.

Failed document transfers?

If there is an error in the connection between the Comarch Platform and your system, you can manually resend the document to the recipient to ensure a smooth exchange.

Flexible EDI integration for every retail sector

The Comarch EDI Platform specializes in a wide range of retail industries, offering flexibility and proven experience across diverse sectors. With deep industry knowledge, we tailor our approach to meet the unique needs of each business, providing hassle-free integration and optimized processes.

Segments we serve

Convenience stores

Comarch provides an easy-to-use web portal for convenience stores, enabling seamless integration with small suppliers without ERP systems. Exchange documents, monitor, and report interactions with suppliers and customers.

E-commerce

Our solution facilitates smooth integration with major e-commerce platforms, such as Amazon, and supports dropshipping by enabling the exchange of logistics documents with multiple partners.

Fashion

In the fashion industry, Comarch enables rapid exchange of key EDI messages such as order responses, order changes, delivery notes, and dispatch advice.

Supermarkets and grocery chains

With extensive experience in FMCG projects, Comarch helps supermarkets and grocery chains (such as Balconi) maintain efficient supply chains by minimizing delays in delivering fast-moving consumer goods.

B2B and wholesale retail

Our EDI system connects large networks of suppliers, such as the 20,000 suppliers in METRO, by creating dedicated portals tailored to individual customer requirements. Simplify supply chain management and improve collaboration with wholesale partners.

DIY

For the DIY industry, Comarch supports the digitization of relationships with customers, reducing paper usage and building trust and reliability between businesses and their suppliers (as, for example, in our work with Leroy Merlin).

Advanced routing

Automatically and manually route documents to multiple systems based on VAT ID, bank details, and other data.

Supplier onboarding

Simplify the onboarding process for all of your suppliers to manage your supply chain more efficiently. Offer your suppliers self-onboarding, to proceed smoothly and efficiently in the process. Supplier can connect to platform on their own.

Supplier portal

Empower suppliers with a user-friendly portal for those who don’t have their own ERP system capable to integration. Keep connection with all supplier, no matter of their size.

AI-powered OCR

Automate the processing of paper documents using AI-powered OCR, minimizing manual effort and accelerating document handling.

e-Invoicing compliance

Ensure compliance with global e-invoicing regulations and forget about constantly monitoring updates – covering 60+ countries worldwide, including France, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Poland, and many more.

End-to-End logistics support

Manage the entire logistics process with support for critical documents. Smooth integration with suppliers, third party logistics (3PL), warehouses systems and many more.

Vendor inventory management

Enable real-time demand sharing and ensure your suppliers always have up-to-date stock levels.

Advanced enrichment

Add missing data to your documents, either automatically based on master data or manually in Comarch application. Generate link for your suppliers under which they can also fill up missing information, for example Purchase Number

Facilitate integrations with all of your affiliates and subsidiaries

Our retail EDI experts help you harmonize your internal software systems and connect with your trading partners including suppliers, customers, clients, stakeholders, logistics service providers, 3PL (third-party logistics), subsidiaries, tax authorities and other government platforms, as well as any other stakeholder in your document exchange network.

Managing a complex architecture?

Streamline operations and improve supplier collaboration with Comarch EDI’s flexible solutions – recognized by IDC for our adaptability in complex business environments.

EDI Integration Platform

EDI document types every retailer should know

Each EDI document, from purchase orders and invoices to shipment notifications and inventory updates, has a specific purpose. Retailers should be familiar with them to guarantee problem-free communication in the supply chain.

Purchase Order

ORDERS - EDI 850
Used by the buyer to order goods or services from a supplier.

Purchase Order Acknowledgment

ORDRSP - EDI 855
Sent by the supplier to confirm receipt and acceptance of a purchase order.

Advanced Shipping Notice

DESADV - EDI 856
Provides details about the shipment of goods, including tracking information.

Invoice

INVOIC - EDI 810
Used by the supplier to request payment for goods or services provided.

Payment Order/Remittance Advice

REMADV - EDI 820
Sent by the buyer to notify the supplier of a payment.

Warehouse Shipping Order

HANMOV - EDI 940
Used to instruct a warehouse to ship goods to a destination.

Warehouse Shipping Advice

RECADV - EDI 945
Provides details of shipped goods from a warehouse.

Purchase Order Change Request

ORDCHG - EDI 860
Sent by the buyer to request modifications to an existing purchase order.

Main benefits of Comarch EDI for retail

Ready to take your data exchange to the next level? The Comarch EDI Platform is here to help you:

Improve inventory management and demand forecasting
Exchange real-time data with suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers
Enhance supplier collaboration and relationships
Standardize communication protocols and document formats
Improve order processing and fulfillment
Automate document exchange
Achieve and maintain compliance with industry standards and data exchange regulations

Tell us about your EDI needs

Key Benefits of Comarch Electronic Data Interchange Platform

Why Comarch?

Over 25 years of experience providing advanced IT solutions and systems for EDI.
Business stability and reliability – vast project portfolio, including for brands such as Unilever, BP, Carrefour, Leroy Merlin, Balconi and Metro Digital
Offering compliance in 60+ countries around the world.
Helping maintain the highest EDI standards for 100,000 users worldwide.
Comprehensive and secure platform for B2B collaboration in a supply chain, connecting thousands of suppliers.
Full support for supply chain operations.

Frequently asked questions about EDI software

What is EDI in retail?
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is used in the retail industry for exchanging documents. It replaces paper-based communication and removes the need for manual data entry.
How does EDI work in retail?
EDI in the retail industry automates the exchange of business documents like purchase orders, invoices, and shipping notices between retailers and suppliers. The system standardizes communication and facilitates and secures data exchange.
What are the benefits of EDI solutions for retail?
The retail industry uses EDI to facilitate inventory management, order fulfillment, and invoicing. It reduces manual errors, cuts down on administrative costs, speeds up transactions, and enhances supplier relationships.
How can EDI improve business operations in retail?
EDI improves operations by automating document exchanges, speeding up order processing, and ensuring accurate inventory management. It helps retailers respond faster to market demands, reduce stockouts, and maintain better control over supply chains.
Is Comarch EDI secure for sensitive data in retail?
Yes, EDI uses secure communication protocols, such as AS2 and encryption, to protect sensitive data. It ensures that transactions between retailers and suppliers are confidential, accurate, and comply with data protection regulations.
Can EDI integrate with existing retail systems?
Yes, EDI can easily integrate with existing retail systems like ERPs, WMS, and accounting software. This allows for data throughout your company’s systems, ensuring smooth workflow automation and minimizing disruptions to current operations.
How do I get started with Comarch EDI for my retail business?
To get started, simply contact our experts. Tell us about your needs and which documents you’ll need to exchange. Then, we’ll take care of migration and integration, as well as onboarding ongoing processes.
Let’s make it happen!