How do you troubleshoot EDI connections?

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a method of exchanging business documents and transactions electronically between trading partners. It can streamline workflows, reduce errors, and improve efficiency. However, EDI connections can sometimes encounter problems that affect the data transmission or processing. Here are some tips on how to troubleshoot EDI connections and resolve common issues.

1 Check the network status

The first step in troubleshooting EDI connections is to check the network status of both your own system and your trading partner's system. You can use tools like ping, traceroute, or telnet to test the connectivity and latency of the network. If there are any network issues, you should contact your network provider or your trading partner's network provider to resolve them. You should also check the firewall settings and make sure that the EDI ports are not blocked or restricted.

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2 Review the EDI logs

The second step in troubleshooting EDI connections is to review the EDI logs of both your own system and your trading partner's system. The EDI logs can provide information about the status, errors, and messages of the EDI transactions and documents. You can use tools like EDI Notepad or EDI Validator to view and analyze the EDI logs. You should look for any anomalies, discrepancies, or failures in the EDI logs and identify the root cause of the problem. You should also compare the EDI logs with the expected EDI specifications and standards.

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3 Verify the EDI data

The third step in troubleshooting EDI connections is to verify the EDI data of both your own system and your trading partner's system. The EDI data refers to the content and format of the EDI transactions and documents. You can use tools like EDI Mapper or EDI Translator to verify the EDI data. You should check for any errors, inconsistencies, or missing information in the EDI data and correct them. You should also ensure that the EDI data matches the agreed-upon EDI requirements and rules.

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4 Test the EDI connection

The fourth step in troubleshooting EDI connections is to test the EDI connection of both your own system and your trading partner's system. The EDI connection refers to the method and protocol of the EDI transmission and processing. You can use tools like EDI Tester or EDI Simulator to test the EDI connection. You should check for any issues, delays, or failures in the EDI connection and fix them. You should also confirm that the EDI connection supports the desired EDI functionality and performance.

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Matt Henneman

ERP / EDI Administrator with multiple years of coordination and implementation experience. NetSuite, ANSIx12, XML, EDIFACT and JSON etc. Project Management
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In my experience, this should be done right after you verify the network status. Depending on the type of communication AS2, sFTP, or Van , check the logs or MDN’s, send a test file and review. From there you can start to figure out if it is truly a communication issue or a data issue.

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5 Communicate with your trading partner

The fifth step in troubleshooting EDI connections is to communicate with your trading partner and coordinate the troubleshooting efforts. You should share the results of your troubleshooting steps and ask for their feedback and assistance. You should also agree on the best practices and procedures for resolving the EDI issues and preventing them from recurring. You should maintain a clear and consistent communication with your trading partner throughout the troubleshooting process and document the actions and outcomes.

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6 Monitor the EDI connection

The sixth step in troubleshooting EDI connections is to monitor the EDI connection of both your own system and your trading partner's system. You can use tools like EDI Monitor or EDI Dashboard to monitor the EDI connection. You should track the status, performance, and quality of the EDI connection and report any anomalies or problems. You should also evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the EDI connection and look for ways to improve it.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Kevin Lee

Senior IT Analyst at Caterpillar Inc. Retiree
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EDI is a transformation of internal to a appropriate EDI standard inbound and outbound, known as part of middleware. Doesn’t have much to do with communication ftp, ndm,as2-3, vans etc..in this realm it is infrastructure not EDI standards. So would effect more then edi. First thoughts do some pinging, electricity is out, vpn is down etc.., squirrels ‘sorry had to add that one actually happened’. For EdI portion most folk have store and forward and once communication is back up folks can resend their edi data or any other.

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How do you troubleshoot EDI connections?

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1 Check the network status

2 Review the EDI logs

3 Verify the EDI data

4 Test the EDI connection

5 Communicate with your trading partner

6 Monitor the EDI connection

7 Here’s what else to consider

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

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