Paper-to-Digital EDI Implementation for a Leading US-Based Beverage Company

Overview

A large beverage company successfully transitioned from manual, paper-based order processing to a streamlined, cloud-based EDI platform. This digital transformation significantly improved operational efficiency, delivering ~$35,000 in annual cost savings, reducing human errors, and freeing over 800 man-hours for strategic, higher-value tasks. The initiative also enhanced customer satisfaction by enabling more reliable and efficient order processing.

The Challenge

The client faced operational inefficiencies when managing orders from trading partners who lacked automated systems. While larger customers utilized EDI for seamless integration, smaller partners relied on email attachments and PDFs to share order information. This manual data entry process into the ERP system was labor-intensive, error-prone, and resource-draining, often resulting in costly credit notes and disruptions.

The Objective

The primary goals were to:

• Automate the integration of non-EDI orders into the ERP system.
• Minimize human errors and eliminate redundant manual processes.
• Reduce operational costs and free up resources for high-value activities.
• Enhance overall customer satisfaction by streamlining order management.

The Solution

Tellestia leveraged its EDI expertise to design and implement a tailored cloud-based EDI platform that addressed the company's unique challenges. The project followed a structured, phased approach to ensure minimal disruption and maximum impact:

• Pilot Testing for Proof of Concept

The implementation began with a pilot phase involving one trading partner to validate the platform's capabilities. This trial provided insights into technical requirements, process alignment, and potential challenges. The success of this initial rollout demonstrated the feasibility of the solution and its potential to scale.

• Automated Data Transformation

The EDI platform automated the conversion of order data from PDFs and email attachments into EDI-compatible files. This eliminated manual data entry, ensuring that order information could seamlessly flow into the company's ERP system.

• ERP Integration

Seamless integration with the company’s existing ERP system was a core element of the solution. The platform enabled real-time data synchronization, ensuring orders were processed efficiently and accurately without the need for manual intervention.

• Phased Rollout to Priority Partners

Following the pilot, the solution was incrementally deployed to other high-priority trading partners. This phased approach allowed for continuous monitoring, adjustments based on partner feedback, and the resolution of any technical issues during the process.

• Ongoing Support and Scalability

The platform was designed with scalability in mind, allowing the company to onboard additional trading partners over time. Tellestia also provided ongoing technical support to address evolving needs and ensure optimal performance of the system.

The Impact

The implementation delivered tangible business benefits:

• $35,000 Annual Savings: Reduced credit note expenses and other operational inefficiencies.
• 800+ Man-Hours Reclaimed: Allowed resources to focus on strategic and value-driven initiatives.
• Improved Customer Satisfaction: Automated processes enhanced accuracy, reliability, and responsiveness.

The transformative initiative enabled the beverage company to modernize its order management operations, reducing complexity and aligning with its commitment to operational excellence.