Your first trading partner in 7 days: a day-by-day plan
From the retailer’s welcome email to your first production invoice, in one week. Tick the boxes as you go.
The documents you’ll exchange
Most retail partners ask for these five. Your partner’s guide is the final word; many are published in the Weredi network.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
Collect the requirements
Day 2
Set up and map
Days 3–5
Test with the partner
Days 6–7
Go live
Partners set the pace. Seven days assumes the retailer’s EDI team reviews your test files within a day or two. Ask for their test window on day 1, and validate every file before you send it, so testing fits in days 3 to 5.
Questions
How long does EDI onboarding take?
This plan fits in a week when the retailer’s EDI team answers quickly. Building the documents takes a day or two; the testing phase depends mostly on how fast the retailer reviews your files.
Which EDI documents does a supplier need first?
Most retailers start with the 850 purchase order, 855 acknowledgment, 856 ship notice, 810 invoice and 997 functional acknowledgment. Your partner’s guide confirms the list. See getting started with EDI.
Do I need a GS1 company prefix?
If your retailer orders by UPC and requires SSCC carton labels, yes: both are built from a GS1 company prefix.
Keep reading
All articles →“Are you EDI capable?” What your buyer is really asking, and how to say yes
How much does EDI cost? The pricing models, and the fees to ask about
Switching EDI providers without upsetting your retailers: the questions to answer first
Starting EDI for the first time?
Find your retailer in the Weredi network, read its published guides, and validate your test files before you send them.