Combine AI and blockchain to increase the value of your flows EDI
L'EDI technology has been around since the 90s, and is constantly evolving. By 2020, 85% of the world's supply chain feeds will be processed via EDI . In this article, we explain why theEDI is still relevant at supply chain. Then we'll look at how emerging technologies are positioning themselves to meet the growing demand for data synchronization and sharing between different players.
L'EDIan aging technology?
What isEDI ?
L'EDI enables the exchange of computerized data between two companies, or more precisely between two information systems. Any type of information can be exchanged, and these flows can be automatically integrated into the information systems.
L'EDI is commonly used to exchange data flows concerning:
- Controls
- Deliveries
- Billing
But standards EDI also exist for digitalize many other types of documents, such as price sheets, product reference systems, transport orders...
EDI : when formats and standards evolve
L'EDI has been around since the 90s, emerging in the automotive, banking and retail sectors.
Numerous sectors and professions have since organized themselves. The aim is to define standards, then establish protocols specific to their activity, the type of flow, the need to exchange data in real time, the geographical area concerned... These professional communities have largely contributed to the massive adoption of theEDI by companies in all sectors.
The rise of the Internet and the increasing digitalization of exchanges have made it possible to increase the reliability of flows and reduce the cost of transporting messages. L'EDI is a technology that is constantly being enhanced, as new technologies emerge.
EDI evolves by combining with other technologies
Blockchain, cloud andAPI networks are recent technologies that are complementary to the .EDI. They enable us to respond to new customer issues that are not perfectly addressed by traditional standards EDIsuch as connectivity.
L'EDI is not going to disappear, but to undergo a transformation. Moving to the cloud not only saves time and money for exchanges between two partners, but also :
- Access other partners just as quickly
- Automate a number of operations
- Process a much greater volume of information
- Process information flows faster
Combined withEDIthese new technologies enable supply chain to gain in agility and connectivity, despite the complexity and heterogeneity of data flows.
Why do AI, blockchain and APIs complementEDI ?
The supply chain network has become more extensive and complex, requiring secure, reliable and, above all, transparent connectivity. One of the limitations ofEDIas previously used, was that it worked between partner A and partner B. As soon as there were other players, messages had to be replicated between them to maintain the same level of information. With the growing volume of exchanges and the diversity of formats, maintaining consistency across all transactions was becoming very complicated.
Networks EDI will continue to play their role in supply chain and external technologies will take over to address these issues:
- Blockchain for transparent trading
- Artificial intelligence to use this data
How blockchain completes flows EDI
The blockchain serves as a registry shared by all supply chain players. It enables the various pieces of information in transit to be fixed. All the information recorded in it remains immutable. The blockchain provides a transactional layer that enables messages to be communicated EDI communicated point-to-point, and to supplement them with information from other services. Collaboration is more transparent between the various stakeholders, but also more efficient (for detecting errors upstream or supplementing information).
How artificial intelligence completes the flow EDI
All data generated on supply chain, the IoT (connected objects) or relevant external data sources must be able to be exploited. The role of artificial intelligence is to understand the flows, their nature and the business issues at stake. From this, it extracts actionable information, enabling companies to act within their scope. For example, you have an order and there's a transport refrigeration fault. Instead of knowing on receipt of the order that it needs to be destroyed and the supplier reordered, AI can detect the error upstream, enabling companies to take corrective action much sooner.
AI makes it possible to act on 4 key points:
- Alert: provide information on a potential risk before the deadline
- Understanding : anticipating the "domino effect" of this risk
- Resolution: extracting relevant elements to help the operator find a solution
- Learning : AI will gain experience and offer increasingly relevant and targeted recommendations.
Finally, companies start from theEDI (or theEDI). Then, they add additional technologies to better address emerging issues. L'EDI is not an aging technology. However, it needs to be combined with AI, blockchain and the cloud to increase the value of its flows.
