What does SAAS mean?

SAAS stands for software-as-a-service. Investopedia referred to it as “a software licensing model in which access to the software is provided on a subscription basis, with the software being located on external servers rather than on servers located in-house.” 

Software-as-a-service is a rising market. The software provider hosts the application. Users who pay for the subscription can access the application via external servers, which usually is a simple web browser. There is no need for the user to install the application on their personal devices (laptop, computer, or mobile phone). Furthermore, users only need to log in and use the application while the entire maintenance and operation process (updates, handling errors, etc.) are performed by the service provider. SAAS is increasingly gaining popularity with the rise of computer-based services. Some of the most well-known names include Google Drive and Netflix.

What is EDI?

EDI, or electronic data interchange, is the electronic data exchange of business-related documents between two or more parties. The exchange of information is standardized using a number of EDI communication protocols or a list of EDI transaction codes.

The use of EDI brings about numerous benefits, namely 

• Saving money and time thanks to the paperless automated processes,
• Improving accuracy significantly due to the elimination of repetitive data entry processes, and 
• Fostering stronger, more long-lasting relationships with your clients and your trading partners.

SAAS EDI

Now, having a general idea of what SAAS and EDI mean separately, what is SAAS EDI? Simply put, it is a cloud-based electronic data exchange service.

SAAS EDI or cloud-based EDI software is designed to seamlessly integrate with platforms such as WMS, ERP, or other clients’ data management software. The integration facilitates effective connection and data interchange within your partner ecosystem. 

SAAS EDI is fitting for businesses who wish to take on the EDI journey, but do not want to invest in on-premises hardware.

SAAS EDI’s notable features – How is it different?

In a digitalized world where e-commerce is booming and omnichannel fulfillment is becoming increasingly demanding, a SAAS EDI not only helps you survive but also thrive by gaining a competitive edge, maintaining flexibility, and fostering strong relationships.

When considering taking on SAAS EDI, make sure to check the following key features:

Improved visibility

One of the key features you should be seeking in a SAAS EDI solution is real-time visibility. Visibility in the supply chain is crucial. This real-time visibility allows you to:

• Keep up with the complexity of the supply chain: you will be able to track every EDI activity and all your goods statuses.
• Make sure your customer’s demands are met: there are more and more standards and regulations nowadays, and violating them can be costly. Worry not as SAAS EDI lets you trace and track and check if everything is in place.
• Analyzing data and generating forecasts: with transactions happening on a daily basis, there is a huge amount of raw data collected. Of course, the data is analyzed to generate forecast reports, predicting sales trends to take action accordingly.

General service management

Your SAAS EDI provider should take care of and monitor everything relating to the hardware and infrastructure. This means that the server is not physically placed in your company but at the provider’s facility. This is the same for the physical data storage. If the service encounters any problems like errors or crashes, the SAAS EDI provider would handle the issues.

Additionally, your provider needs to ensure the smooth daily operation of the service, including effectively managing the volume of transactions. Surely, this means that the service provider needs to be capable of maintaining the security of the platform while operating, fixing errors, or during updates.

Effective dashboard

Choose a provider that delivers a dashboard with a focus on the absolute most important data. With the removal of unnecessary data, you and your team will be able to stay laser-focused on the most vital metrics and adjust any objectives or strategies accordingly.

Moreover, your dashboard needs to have the ability to enable anyone using the platform to take action by themselves in certain EDI transitions. The dashboard should be intuitive and user-friendly.

Issues flagging

An effective SAAS EDI solution quickly and automatically flags any issue within the system.

Moreover, a good SAAS EDI system allows you to stay informed of such errors, easily track them, and share tickets. This feature not only creates transparency within the ecosystem but also generates timely actions to handle errors. Again, compliance with regulations and standards is crucial as it minimizes and prevents expensive chargebacks.

Support team

Most service providers offer a support team to assist you with functional problems. Some EDI providers even provide you with monitoring of the hardware, performance, and database. EDI is complex, so do not hesitate to seek help when you need it. 

Of course, there are other types of EDI-related services that may fall in the scope of services the provider does not support. Often, they can be handled by the internal IT team or EDI team, as they already have the tools to perform the tasks. However, if your company needs extra support with other tasks like partner onboarding, you can always ask the provider to help. This will cost your business an extra fee, but not affect the monthly SAAS charges.

How beneficial is SAAS EDI?

Cost saving

Compared to traditional EDI services, SAAS EDI is much more affordable. Right from the get-go, there is no cost in maintaining the on-premises software or hiring and training a whole dedicated team of EDI specialists.

A monthly subscription gives both the supplier and clients access to the service. Additionally, you and your team have access to the latest technology, allowing your business to keep up in the ever-changing world of technology.

Scalable and Flexible

One of the biggest concerns when using in-house EDI software is its scalability and flexibility. Worry not as SAAS EDI is much more flexible and easier to scale, accommodating the growth of your business. 

Easy access and user friendly

As mentioned earlier, SAAS EDI is much easier to navigate and more user-friendly. It is easy to give access to your teammate or client – but do be mindful of who has access to which parts of the service. Most dashboards are intuitive, allowing the user to take action during EDI transactions, even without too much prior training.

The SAAS EDI for you

SCS Solutions team is a SAAS EDI provider that provides you with constant support and monitoring of your transaction and data flow. We offer scalability, affordable, and customizable service for your business. Contact us via the website https://www.scssolutions.io/, Linkedin, or Facebook. SCS Solutions team is more than happy to hear from you and help you get started on your EDI journey!