Operations

Best EDI Software Compared

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Our EDI (electronic data interchange) software reviews are based on 50+ hours of researching dozens of EDI software providers on the market. Based on this research, we’ve concluded that Babelway is the best EDI software for most businesses. This solution ranks so high on our list due to its simplicity, versatility, and robust technology that can be applied for a wide range of use cases.

The Best EDI Software for Most

Babelway logo

Babelway

Best EDI Software for Most

A simple way for non-technical business users to automate the flow of documents. It’s easy to manipulate the data and transform documents to and from any file format. Create a new connection between a new partner or source with just a few clicks.

Babelway stands out from other EDI solutions on the market because it’s so easy to use. But don’t let that ease of use fool you—the software is still extremely powerful and can transform files into any format. You can use Babelway to cut out the middleman and control electronic data interchange on your own. 

The software is fast, secure, and gives you full visibility over the control of your B2B exchanges. You can create custom document flows, define data validation rules, and even move data using drag-and-drop functionality. Whether you’re a low-volume or high-volume user, Babelway has a plan for everyone.

The Best EDI Software Options to Consider:

  1. Babelway — Best EDI Software for Most
  2. SPS Commerce — Best for Automating Order Processes
  3. EDI Power Reader — Best EDI Software for Healthcare and HIPAA Compliance
  4. 1 EDI Source — Best for B2B Supply Chain Management
  5. Jitterbit — Best for B2B Trading Partner Management

When it Makes Sense to Invest Into EDI Software

In simple terms, EDI software uses technology to exchange documents from one system to another using a standardized format. This technology can be used for different purposes within the world of B2B communications.

The software is commonly associated with supply chain management, wholesale transactions, order processing, and more. It’s even used in industries like financial services, retail, and high-tech.

The decision on whether or not to buy EDI software isn’t necessarily tied to business size or annual revenue but rather on problems that can be solved with this technology.

One common issue solved by EDI software is human error. If your staff handling the documents associated with B2B transactions is leading to mistakes, then EDI software can automate those steps and eliminate human error. This is especially true if your staff needs to manipulate documents into other formats or transpose things by hand.

Another scenario that would trigger the need for EDI software involves industry compliance. HIPAA compliance is a great example of this scenario. If you find yourself struggling to stay compliant with industry standards, EDI software can help. 

Document sharing between parties in the healthcare space is crucial for the claims process. Not only do these documents need to be readable and shared promptly, but they must follow certain protocols to protect patient information. If your business is having trouble getting paid for claims, you’re getting lots of files rejected, or you’re paying a third-party clearinghouse to convert data, EDI software can solve your problems.

Other benefits of EDI software include cost reduction and faster business transactions.

If your company is spending a ton of money to generate documents, print them, lick envelopes, scan copies, etc.EDI software can reduce costs associated with materials and labor. Additionally, it’s much faster to send B2B documents using an EDI exchange instead of fax, email, or the postal service. 

Any organization faced with the problems described above can benefit from using EDI software.

#1 – Babelway Review — The Best for Most

Babelway logo

Babelway

Best EDI Software for Most

A simple way for non-technical business users to automate the flow of documents. It’s easy to manipulate the data and transform documents to and from any file format. Create a new connection between a new partner or source with just a few clicks.

Babelway was founded back in 2007 with straightforward goals—simplify electronic data interchange and B2B integration. The software was eventually acquired by Tradeshift, an industry leader in the world of B2B network supply chain, marketplaces, and apps.

As a cloud-based SaaS tool, the platform accommodates the needs of non-technical business users, which is somewhat unique in the EDI category.

Babelway makes it easy for any organization to automate the flow of documents between B2B partners using different formats and transfer methods. 

The platform processes tens of millions of documents for thousands of businesses across the globe. It allows you to change and transform documents in a wide variety of formats, including:

  • CSV
  • SQL
  • X12
  • AS2
  • Amazon
  • Email
  • Dropbox
  • PDF
  • SAP
  • XML
  • FTP
  • Chorus Pro
  • Excel

Babelway has several different plans to choose from, based on how many files your business needs to receive, process, and send. They offer plans ranging from 3,000 messages per month to 200,000 messages per month. If you need more, Babelway can set up a custom solution to accommodate your needs. 

All plans include online training, certification, expert support, and a full catalog of formats and protocols for data interchange. 

Babelway’s pricing is not available online, but you can try the software free for 30 days—no credit card required.  

#2 – SPS Commerce Review — Best For Automating Order Processes

SPS Commerce logo

SPS Commerce

Best EDI Software for Automating Order Processes

More than 95,000+ businesses rely on SPS Commerce for EDI software. The solution is perfect for retailers, suppliers, distributors, grocers, and ecommerce businesses that want to automate their ordering process between trading partners.

SPS Commerce is EDI software designed for order automation. 

It’s trusted by 95,000+ organizations across the globe, including big names like Walmart, Costco, Walgreens, Kroger, Amazon, Wayfair, and more.

The platform is designed to accelerate retail growth, and it has 350,000+ trading connections pre-wired to the software. This makes it easier for you to connect with your trading partners at an accelerated speed. 

In terms of automating the order process, SPS Commerce has EDI solutions for various business models. Examples include:

  • Retailers buying from vendors and selling D2C
  • Suppliers buying from retailers and selling B2B
  • Grocery stores buying food products and selling D2C
  • Distribution companies buying wholesale from suppliers and selling in bulk B2B
  • Ecommerce companies selling D2C online
  • Companies providing 3PL, 4PL, or carrier services to retail businesses

Each of these scenarios has a different ordering process and has unique data interchange needs. Regardless of the situation, SPS Commerce can automate your system.

Request a free demo and quote to get started.

#3 – EDI Power Reader Review — Best EDI Software For Healthcare and HIPAA Compliance

EDI Power Reader logo

EDI Power Reader

Best EDI Software for Healthcare and HIPAA Compliance

The EDI Power Reader is an easy way to transform HIPAA files into formats designed for human readability. The software allows all different types of healthcare organizations to streamline the way they handle claims while remaining compliant.

EDI Power Reader from EMS Healthcare Informatics is an industry-specific EDI solution. 

It’s designed specifically for organizations that need to transmit healthcare files while remaining HIPAA compliant.

The software makes it easy to convert HIPAA EDI files into readable and Excel-compatible spreadsheets. You can use it to filter, sort, and export records to improve the way your healthcare business handles claims. 

Healthcare providers that use EDI Power Reader include:

  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Behavioral health facilities
  • Pharmacies
  • Laboratories
  • Managed care facilities
  • Home health providers
  • RCM billing

You can use it to read 835 files, 837 files, 834 files, 277 files, 271 files, and more. All of the information is easily transmitted into an interactive grid designed for human readability. 

The EDI Power Reader starts at $2,750 per year for five licenses and a single-supported EDI format. For multiple formats and installation on up to five workstations, the subscription starts at $5,500 per year. Download a free demo to get started.

#4 – 1 EDI Source Review — The Best EDI For B2B Supply Chain Management

1 EDI Source logo

1 EDI Source

Best EDI Software for B2B Supply Chain Management

1 EDI Source helps businesses simplify interactions and integrations with other organizations across their entire supply chain. They offer a wide range of EDI solutions, including cloud-based, on-premises, managed, and hosted.

1 EDI Source is another solution in this space built for a specific use case. It’s designed to simplify B2B integration across all suppliers, vendors, customers, and marketplaces in your supply chain.

The platform is used in industries like manufacturing, distribution, retail, transportation, logistics, and business services. 

1 EDI Source makes it possible to manage small suppliers to large customers and everything in between. It gives businesses the edge they need to stay ahead of the game in a world where markets are constantly changing. 

The platform comes with over 50,000+ pre-mapped trading partners. It also provides seamless integration with your existing ERP (enterprise resource planning) software, which is crucial for supply chain management. 

Another unique standout of 1 EDI Source is its deployment options. They offer cloud-based EDI tools, on-premises solutions, managed EDI software, and hosted EDI software.

So regardless of your unique needs and preferences, 1 EDI Source has you covered. 

Request a free demo to get started.

#5 – Jitterbit Review — The Best For B2B Trading Partner Management

Jitterbit logo

Jitterbit

Best EDI Software for B2B Trading Partner Management

Accelerate trading partner growth by connecting new partners to the software in a matter of hours. Jitterbit even lets you create new APIs from scratch using enterprise applications or data. It’s faster than alternative EDI solutions and supports all major EDI formats.

Jitterbit is an innovative leader in the EDI software space. 

The platform is trusted by thousands of companies across a wide range of industries, including names like Hilton, Xerox, United Healthcare, Nestle, Air Canada, and more.

The software can be used to connect SaaS tools, cloud applications, and on-premises solutions used in your business process. Jitterbit stands out from the crowd with its ability to create new APIs using any data source or existing enterprise application. 

This technology can be used to accelerate growth in your trading partner network. 

It’s easy to get a new trading partner connected using Jitterbit in a matter of hours or days compared to weeks or months using other tools. The platform supports all B2B EDI standards and protocols, including 5,000+ versions and 25,000+ transaction sets. 

Jitterbit eliminates manual order processing, improves customer service, strengthens supplier relationships, and automates transaction management without the technical headaches.

The software processes millions of transactions per day and is nine times faster than other EDI solutions on the market. 

Jitterbit has plans for businesses of different sizes, depending on how many connections you need and the features you want. Contact them for more pricing information and request a free trial to get started. 

Methodology For Choosing The Best EDI Software

There are certain factors that must be evaluated as you’re comparing EDI software and narrowing down the best solution for your business. The considerations that we used to determine the best software in this space can also be used as a buying guide for your business. 

EDI Translation

Transmitting data files from one source to another is just one component of EDI software. But you also need to make sure the files are translated into a human-readable format. 

If someone needs to manually change the formatting of a file after it’s been shared, it defeats the purpose of using EDI software to streamline processes. 

In some scenarios, this feature doesn’t really matter. For example, a PDF purchase order from a business to a whole supplier is already in readable language. 

But in other cases, files are encrypted or formatted in a way that’s unreadable for various reasons. 837 files and 835 files in the healthcare space are perfect examples of this instance. The files are formatted to establish HIPAA compliance and need to eventually get translated into a readable format.

Pre-Wired Trading Connections

In the world of EDI software, trading partners are defined as other companies that your business exchanges documents with. 

Lots of EDI software comes with pre-built trading connections, but that only matters if you’re actually using the connections on that list. 

For example, let’s say you buy wholesale products from Amazon or Walmart. If that connection is pre-wired, it will be easy to get up and running. 

But if you’re using smaller suppliers that aren’t household names, what happens if those connections aren’t pre-wired? You need to assess the process required to connect with trading partners from scratch. In some instances, you’ll need a tool that can accommodate and create custom APIs. 

Deployment

EDI software comes in all different shapes and sizes. The deployment option that’s best for you will typically depend on your business size, trading partners, or security needs.

For example, small businesses and startups can typically get by using web-based EDI software. It’s easy, affordable, and those solutions typically work well with big retailers like Walmart and Target. Web-based EDI software is much easier to set up as well.

If you’re looking to scale and add additional functions, a cloud-based solution can offer a bit more flexibility. This is a good option for businesses that don’t have a clear growth plan today but also don’t want to be restricted moving forward—especially if you want to increase your trading partner network.

Larger organizations and enterprises might lean towards on-premises deployment or even a managed EDI solution. These are a bit more complex to set up, but they offer a higher level of customization.

Babelway logo

Babelway

Best EDI Software for Most

A simple way for non-technical business users to automate the flow of documents. It’s easy to manipulate the data and transform documents to and from any file format. Create a new connection between a new partner or source with just a few clicks.

Summary

Babelway is the best EDI software for most businesses because it’s so versatile and easy to use for non-technical users. But there are other great options to consider as well, especially if your business has specific needs.

SPS Commerce is ideal for retailers that want to automate order processing. EDI Power Reader is built specifically for healthcare providers that need EDI solutions for HIPAA compliance.

For supply chain management, check out 1 EDI Source. For those of you looking for a fast way to accelerate your trading partner network, use Jitterbit.

Regardless of your needs, you can use the recommendations and methodology in this guide to find the best EDI software for your business. 


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