Getting started, timelines and testing

How long does it usually take to get connected?

It depends on your trading partner and the method you need, but connection registration and testing usually take a few business days. We will agree on the schedule with you during the consultation.

If you would like a quick answer, fill in the Contact us form with the partner you want to trade with and your preferred start date, and a representative will review it and get back to you.

What do I need to prepare to get started?

Getting started with EDI-VAN takes very little preparation:

• Trading partner information: The name of the retailer or partner you want to connect with
• Desired start date: When you would like to begin
• Your current system: The ERP or online store system you use (it's fine if you don't have one)

How to get started:

1. Contact us — Leave your company name, trading partner, and desired date through Contact us at the bottom of the homepage, or email help@edi-van.com
2. Consultation — A representative will review your trading partner's requirements and your system with you
3. Registration and testing — EDI-VAN registers you with your trading partner and matches up with them using test documents
4. Start trading — Real orders then flow automatically

No developer is needed. If you have an ERP, we can integrate with it. If you don't, you can start with EDI ERP (manage orders, inventory, shipments, and invoices).

How does trading partner testing work?

At EDI-VAN, trading partner testing depends on the service type you choose:

• Self-service: You run it yourself. EDI-VAN provides the transmission network and input screens, and you run the testing with your trading partner.

• Custom: EDI-VAN supports you. We work with you on format conversion and trading partner testing, and registration and testing are generally completed within a few business days.

• Dedicated: EDI-VAN handles it for you. We take the lead until your trading partner goes live, and if a problem comes up, we reach out to you first.

The detailed schedule and process are decided together during the consultation when you Contact us or email help@edi-van.com.

I received an EDI guide from a retailer. Where do I start?

Start by leaving a Contact us request with the guide you received. EDI-VAN sets up the required documents and connection method based on the guide that retailer sent you. Including the following in your inquiry will speed up the consultation:

• The retailer's name and the guide you received
• The start deadline set by the retailer (if there is one)
• The systems you use now, such as an ERP, online store, or Excel
• Your approximate annual number of orders and shipments

After the consultation, EDI-VAN registers you as a trading partner, exchanges test documents through to the end until they match, and then starts trading.

The retailer's deadline is close—can you make it in time?

We can't say in advance whether it will be possible. So if a deadline has been set, we recommend that you leave a Contact us request right away so we can check the schedule. How long it takes depends on the retailer's testing schedule and how soon you can prepare your materials, and we will give you an expected schedule during the consultation. When you contact us, please include the retailer's name, the deadline, and the guide you received. Retailers sometimes charge fees when documents are late or incorrect, so even if you are in a hurry, we recommend testing thoroughly before you open trading.

We're using another EDI service—can we switch?

Yes, even if you are using another service, we can discuss moving to EDI-VAN with you. The steps are the same as when starting for the first time: Contact us, consultation, EDI-VAN's trading partner registration and testing, and then start trading. However, the switching method and order for each trading partner depend on the retailers you are connected to now and your document setup, so we will confirm this during the consultation. When you contact us, please list the partners you currently trade with and the types of documents you exchange.

Will transactions be interrupted during the migration?

The timing and method of the switch are decided together with you during the consultation, to fit your trading partner's schedule. Before opening trading, EDI-VAN exchanges test documents through to the end until they match. If the retailer has its own testing procedure, we follow that procedure. The specific way to switch without interruption depends on your trading partner and the service you use now, so we will confirm this during the consultation.

Who does the testing and what is checked?

Testing means exchanging test documents from start to finish before you go live, to confirm that your documents are delivered and accepted in the format your trading partner requires. If the retailer has its own testing procedure, you follow it. Who does the testing depends on your service type:

• Self-service: you run the tests yourself.
• Custom: EDI-VAN supports you.
• Fully managed: EDI-VAN handles everything through go-live.

Please prepare your trading partner's guide and order and shipment data that resembles your real data.

What should I do first after Walmart tells me I need EDI?

First, get the EDI guide you received from Walmart ready and contact us. We set up the document types and rules based on the guide Walmart sent you. When trading with large retailers, a common setup is to receive an 850 purchase order and send a 855 order acknowledgment, a 856 advance ship notice, and a 810 invoice. The direct connection that Walmart mainly requires (AS2, a method of exchanging encrypted documents directly over the internet) is available at no additional charge. When you contact us, please include your deadline and the system you currently use so we can help you faster.

How long does retailer EDI onboarding usually take, and can it be done in a few weeks?

We do not promise a timeframe in numbers in advance, because it depends on the retailer's testing schedule and how soon your data is ready. During the consultation, we confirm your trading partner and the documents you need, and then give you an estimated schedule. If the retailer has set a deadline, we recommend contacting us right away so we can check the schedule first.

What happens if I miss the retailer's EDI deadline, and can the go-live date be extended?

Extending a deadline is the retailer's decision, so EDI-VAN cannot answer it, and you will need to check with the retailer directly. In general, when documents are late or incorrect, retailers may charge fees or affect your business with them. If your deadline is approaching, please contact us right away so we can check the schedule first. During the consultation, we will give you an estimated schedule based on the retailer's testing schedule and your readiness.

How do I test EDI transactions with a retailer, and what does certification testing involve?

Certification testing follows the testing procedure set by the retailer: you exchange test documents from start to finish before going live and make sure everything matches. The standard is the guide that retailer sent you. How much EDI-VAN handles depends on your service type. With Self-service, you run the tests yourself; with Custom, EDI-VAN supports you; and with Fully managed, EDI-VAN handles everything through go-live. Please prepare the retailer's guide and the order and shipment data to use for testing, and we recommend testing thoroughly before opening live transactions.

How do I start onboarding my suppliers to EDI, and what steps are involved?

If you are a retailer, EDI-VAN handles supplier connection guidance and testing on your behalf. The steps are guidance, registration, testing, and starting transactions. Even if a supplier uses a different network (VAN) or a different document format, EDI-VAN bridges the differences in the middle. Small suppliers without their own systems can also take part through an entry screen and receive orders in the same way. Please contact us with your supplier size and how you currently place orders, and we will outline the scope for you.

What is the best way to test EDI documents with a new supplier?

A new supplier is also registered by EDI-VAN as a trading partner. You then exchange test documents from start to finish and adjust them until they match, and only after that do you begin trading. Even if the supplier uses a different network (VAN) or a different document format (X12 or EDIFACT), EDI-VAN reconciles the differences in the middle. Who handles the testing depends on your service type (direct, custom, or dedicated). When a new trading partner comes along, you only need to add a connection, and your own way of working does not change.

How long does EDI implementation usually take?

We do not promise an implementation period as a number in advance, because it depends on your trading partner's testing schedule and on how soon you can prepare your data. The process runs in this order: Contact us, consultation, registration and testing, and start of trading. We give you an expected schedule during the consultation. If your retailer has set a deadline, we recommend contacting us right away to check the schedule.

How quickly can I become EDI capable before my retailer's deadline?

The surest way to find out whether you can finish before the deadline is to contact us now and check the schedule first. The time needed depends on the retailer's testing schedule and on how soon you can prepare your data, so we do not promise dates in advance. Instead, during the consultation we confirm your trading partner and the documents you need, and then give you an expected schedule. If you include the retailer's name and the deadline they have set in your inquiry, we can check the schedule more quickly.

What are the steps and milestones in EDI onboarding from kickoff to go-live?

EDI-VAN onboarding has four steps: Contact us → consultation → registration and testing → start of trading.

• Contact us: You tell us your company, the partner you want to trade with, and your preferred start date.
• Consultation: Together we confirm the method your partner requires and the systems you use now (ERP, Excel, etc.).
• Registration and testing: EDI-VAN registers you as a trading partner and exchanges test documents end to end to make sure everything matches. If the retailer has set a testing procedure, we follow it.
• Start of trading: From actual orders onward, documents flow automatically.

We explain how quotes and contracts work after the consultation.

What test files and documents do trading partners usually ask for first in EDI onboarding?

Test files are usually the documents you will exchange in real trading, sent back and forth in advance as a trial. For example, you might receive an 850 purchase order and then send an 855 order acknowledgment, an 856 ship notice, and an 810 invoice. Which documents are tested, and in what order, differs by retailer, so we align with the guide that the retailer has sent. EDI-VAN matches the formats and exchanges the test documents. On your side, please prepare realistic data such as items, quantities, and shipping information.

What does EDI certification mean, and how is it different from EDI testing?

Testing is the process in which test documents are exchanged on our side to check and match their format and content. Certification can be understood as the stage where the retailer recognizes that you have passed the testing procedure it set, and opens up actual trading. If the retailer has set a procedure, EDI-VAN follows it. However, whether you pass and when is decided by the retailer, so we cannot guarantee it in advance. We recommend testing thoroughly before going live.

What can go wrong during EDI partner testing, and what are the biggest onboarding risks?

Most problems during testing happen because data is missing or does not match the rules set by your trading partner.

• Basic data such as items, barcodes and ship-to addresses is not ready
• Documents that carry carton and pallet information, such as the 856 ship notice (a document that tells the buyer in advance what you are shipping and how it is packed, before the goods leave), can be demanding
• The retailer's own test schedule causes delays

Because retailers may charge fees for late or incorrect documents, testing thoroughly before going live is the most important step. EDI-VAN checks the format and content of your documents before they are sent and lets you know if there are any problems.

Do I need EDI set up before the retailer sends my first purchase order?

Yes. If the retailer has said it will order through EDI, it is best to finish the connection and testing before the first purchase order arrives. Usually, real orders start coming in through EDI once testing is complete and the trading relationship is opened. However, when EDI ordering begins differs from retailer to retailer, so we work from the guide that your retailer sent you. If you already have a deadline, contact us right away so we can confirm the schedule first.

What information will an EDI provider need from me to get started?

To begin, it is enough to tell us who you trade with and how you currently work, and we can start the consultation.

• The name of the retailer (trading partner) you want to trade with, and the EDI guide you received from them
• Your desired start date, or the deadline set by the retailer
• The system you currently use (ERP, online store or Excel; it is fine if you have none)
• The types of documents you will exchange, the approximate number per year, and basic data such as items and barcodes

Send this through the contact form or to help@edi-van.com, and a representative will review it and get back to you.

Can a small supplier handle EDI without hiring an EDI specialist?

Yes, you can run EDI without a specialist. You can exchange documents through a web entry screen or Excel/CSV files, without a developer. With the custom plan, EDI-VAN supports format conversion and partner testing. With the dedicated plan, EDI-VAN handles everything up to the start of trading and contacts you first when it finds problems during operation. Documents flow automatically 24 hours a day without anyone needing to be present, and you can check the documents you have exchanged and their status on screen.

What happens if my EDI test documents are rejected, and who fixes the errors?

Who fixes the errors depends on the service type you chose.

• Self-service plan: you fix them yourself.
• Custom plan: EDI-VAN supports format conversion and testing.
• Dedicated plan: EDI-VAN handles everything from testing to the start of trading.

However, if the cause is your own data, such as item information or quantities, you will need to correct that data. EDI-VAN tells you what the problem is, then retests and adjusts until it matches.

How long does retailer EDI testing usually take?

It is difficult to give a fixed number for how long retailer testing takes. The duration varies greatly depending on the retailer's test schedule and how ready your data is. During the consultation, we confirm your trading partner and the documents you need, then give you an estimated schedule. If the retailer has set a deadline, contact us right away so we can confirm the schedule first.

How do I test partial shipments and backorders in EDI?

You test partial shipments and backorders by creating test documents that reflect real business situations and exchanging them in advance. For example, you reply with a 855 Purchase Order Acknowledgment that accepts only part of an order, and then send the 856 Advance Ship Notice in separate parts. Which situations need to be tested differs from one retailer to another, so you match your tests to the guide that the retailer sent you. As the customer, you only need to tell us about the partial-shipment and backorder cases that actually come up often for you. We will confirm the specific scope of testing with you in a consultation.

How do I know when the retailer has approved me for production EDI?

Production approval usually works like this: once you pass the test procedure set by the retailer, the retailer lets you know. EDI-VAN follows up on the progress and keeps you informed. Once trading begins, registered customers can see the documents exchanged and their status (delivered, receipt acknowledged, error) directly on screen. How the approval notice reaches you differs by retailer, so we will confirm it with you in a consultation.

Can I keep using email or spreadsheets while EDI testing is underway?

In most cases, you keep processing real orders the way you do today (email, spreadsheets, etc.) while testing is underway. Test documents are exchanged separately from real transactions and adjusted until they match, and the point at which you move from your current method to EDI is set according to the guide sent by your trading partner (the retailer). The timing and method set by each retailer may differ, so we will review the guide you received together with you in a consultation. Even after trading is opened, you can exchange documents through EDI-VAN's web entry screens or by uploading Excel/CSV files, so you can keep working in a familiar way without any development.

What happens on the EDI go-live date?

From the go-live date, real orders and shipping and invoice documents, not test documents, are exchanged automatically through EDI. Documents move back and forth 24 hours a day without anyone needing to be present, and you can see the documents exchanged and their status (delivered, receipt acknowledged, error) right on screen. It is a good idea to decide in advance, in line with the retailer's guidance, when you will stop your previous methods (email, spreadsheets, etc.). If you use the dedicated service, EDI-VAN checks for problems such as missing receipt acknowledgments or rejections from the other side, and contacts you first.

How do I test EDI changes before going live?

For changes too, we recommend exchanging test documents from start to finish and confirming that they match before applying the change to real transactions. When a retailer changes its rules, EDI-VAN reflects the change, so you can leave your own ERP as it is. Conversely, if the data you send or your own systems change, please let us know in advance so that we can check it together. How testing will be carried out for each change is confirmed in a consultation, so please contact us through Contact us or at help@edi-van.com.

What should I include in EDI testing with a trading partner?

The basic approach is to run every document you will actually exchange through a full round trip, from start to finish. For example, for deliveries to a retailer, you receive an 850 Purchase Order, send the 855 Purchase Order Acknowledgment, 856 Advance Ship Notice and 810 Invoice, and also check that the 997 Functional Acknowledgment (a reply confirming that a document was received properly) is exchanged correctly. If the retailer has a set test procedure, follow that procedure. As the customer, you only need to prepare the guide sent by the retailer and item and order data that resemble your real ones, and EDI-VAN takes care of matching the formats.

How long does EDI certification usually take?

We do not promise a set number of days for certification (testing), because it depends on your trading partner's (retailer's) testing schedule and on how ready your data is. During the consultation, we check your trading partner and the documents you need, and then give you an estimated schedule. If your retailer has set a deadline, we recommend sending it to us right away through Contact us so we can confirm the schedule first.

What information should I send suppliers before EDI onboarding, such as in a welcome email?

If you are a retailer, EDI-VAN can handle the supplier connection guidance and testing on your behalf. All you need to do is prepare the document types to be exchanged (for example, 850 purchase order, 856 ship notice, 810 invoice), your preferred start date, and a list of the suppliers to connect along with their contact persons' details. Even small suppliers without their own system can take part through EDI-VAN's web work screen and receive orders in the same way as large suppliers. We will confirm the specific content of the guidance to send to suppliers during the consultation.

How do I create an EDI supplier onboarding checklist?

Build the checklist so that, for each supplier, you can see at a glance "with whom, which documents, through which channel, and when to start."

• Supplier name and contact person's details
• Document types to be exchanged and their direction (receive/send)
• Connection method (direct connection, via another VAN, web entry screen, etc.)
• Whether testing is complete and your preferred trading start date

EDI-VAN can handle supplier guidance, registration and testing on your behalf, and we will work out the detailed items with you during the consultation.

How do I know when a supplier is ready to go live with EDI?

It is generally best to go live when the documents you will actually exchange have made the full round trip in testing without problems, and the supplier has completed the retailer's required testing procedure. We also check that 997 acknowledgments (reply messages confirming receipt) are being exchanged properly. Because retailers may charge fees for late or incorrect documents, we recommend testing thoroughly before going live rather than rushing. EDI-VAN checks the format and content of your documents before they are sent and lets you know if there are any problems.

What happens if a supplier fails EDI testing?

If testing turns up anything that does not match, it is generally best to fix that part, test again, and hold off on starting actual trading until the test passes. If testing is delayed, the start date may be delayed as well, and how the retailer handles that should be confirmed against the guide issued by that retailer. With the customized plan, EDI-VAN supports format matching and testing; with the dedicated plan, EDI-VAN takes full charge through to the start of trading. If your testing is stuck right now, please leave us the details through Contact us.

How quickly can a cloud EDI platform onboard trading partners?

We do not promise a set connection time. It depends on your trading partner's (retailer's) testing schedule and on how ready your data is. The sequence is: contact us → consultation → EDI-VAN registers you as a trading partner and runs testing → trading starts, and we give you an estimated schedule during the consultation. If you start with the web entry screen or Excel files, you can proceed without a developer. If your retailer has set a deadline, send it to us right away through Contact us or at help@edi-van.com so we can confirm the schedule first.

What materials should we prepare before setting up EDI?

Your trading partner's details and the guide they sent you are the most important items.

• The name of the partner you want to trade with (retailer, warehouse, or carrier) and the EDI guide they sent you
• The types of documents you will exchange and roughly how many documents you send per year
• The system you use now (ERP, online store, or Excel; having none is fine) and your item and partner data
• Your preferred start date

If you write this information in the Contact us form, the consultation will go faster.

Who is responsible for EDI testing, the buyer or the supplier?

Usually, the buyer (retailer) sets the test procedure and criteria, and the supplier sends documents that meet those criteria and passes the test. If you use EDI-VAN, who handles the supplier-side testing depends on the service type. With the Direct type, you run it yourself; with the Custom type, EDI-VAN supports you; and with the Dedicated type, EDI-VAN handles it for you through to start-up. If you are a retailer, EDI-VAN can also guide your suppliers and run their tests on your behalf.

What are the roles of IT, business users, and the trading partner during EDI onboarding?

In EDI onboarding (the process of connecting for the first time), your company's IT and business staff, your trading partner, and EDI-VAN each have different tasks.

• IT staff: Pull the data needed for orders, shipments, and invoices out of your current system, and load incoming data into it. Development work inside the ERP is done by your ERP vendor or your IT staff.
• Business staff: Check that the business content going into the documents is correct, such as items, prices, quantities, and shipping methods.
• Trading partner (retailer): Tells you the documents and formats it requires through its guide, and checks the test results.
• EDI-VAN: Handles format conversion, delivery, receipt confirmation, and testing. For the Custom type, EDI-VAN supports you, and for the Dedicated type, it handles the work through to start-up. For the Dedicated type, EDI-VAN also helps design which data you need to extract.

If you have no IT staff, you can start with a web entry screen or Excel. We will work out the right division of roles for your company together with you during the consultation.

How many test transactions are usually needed before EDI go-live?

There is no fixed number of test transactions. If your trading partner (retailer) has a defined test procedure, follow that procedure. Before opening trading, EDI-VAN recommends exchanging test documents from start to finish until they match, and going live only after testing thoroughly. If you have a guide from your trading partner, bring it to the consultation and we will tell you the expected range.

What happens in an EDI kickoff meeting with a trading partner?

The kickoff meeting is the first session to agree with your trading partner on what to connect, how, and by when. It usually confirms the following:

• The document types to exchange (for example, 850 purchase order, 856 ship notice, 810 invoice) and the formats the partner requires
• The channel for exchanging documents (a direct connection, or through another VAN)
• The test procedure and schedule set by the partner, and contact details for the people in charge

If you use EDI-VAN, we sort these points out together with you during the consultation. Having the guide your trading partner sent ready in advance will speed things up.

What are the most common reasons EDI onboarding gets delayed?

Onboarding is usually delayed because of data preparation and the trading partner's test schedule.

• Preparing the data to go into documents (item information, shipment information, etc.) and extracting it from your systems takes longer than expected
• Waiting for the trading partner's (retailer's) test schedule, or the partner's requirements changing during testing
• The scope includes a difficult document such as the 856 ship notice, where carton and pallet information and barcode labels must also match

If your trading partner has set a deadline, we recommend leaving a Contact us request right away so we can check the schedule first.

How do you handle EDI mapping issues during onboarding?

Mapping means converting your company's data into the format your trading partner requires. On the Custom and Dedicated plans, EDI-VAN handles this work. If a problem comes up, we find the cause by checking your partner's guide and adjust the mapping to match. If any source data (such as item numbers, prices, or addresses) is missing or wrong, you only need to supply the corrections. On the Direct plan, you do the conversion yourself. In that case, EDI-VAN provides standard formats and guidance.

How do you know if an EDI connection is ready for production?

If test documents have been exchanged from start to finish without problems and your trading partner has confirmed the results, you can consider moving to production. In general, check the following together:

• Round-trip testing is complete for every document you need
• Acknowledgments are being exchanged correctly
• The business content in the documents (items, quantities, prices) matches reality

If documents arrive late or contain errors, the retailer may charge penalties. That is why we recommend testing thoroughly before going live. If your trading partner has its own testing procedure, follow its criteria.

What is a parallel run in EDI onboarding?

A parallel run means that, even after switching to EDI, you keep using your previous method (email, Excel, or a portal) for a short time and compare the results. The goal is to confirm with confidence that the new connection also works properly in real transactions. Whether to do a parallel run, and for how long, depends on your trading partner's guidance and your own business circumstances. We can confirm how EDI-VAN would handle it during a consultation.

Who signs off on the final EDI go-live and production cutover?

Production cutover usually works like this: your trading partner (the retailer) reviews the test results and approves them, and your company decides together with them whether to open live transactions. The approval process and the people responsible differ by trading partner. For that reason, we follow the guide that the partner has provided. EDI-VAN supports or handles the testing and helps make sure the test documents needed for approval are exchanged from start to finish.

How do trading partners validate, review, and approve EDI test files and results?

Your trading partner checks the test documents it receives against its own systems and standards, then tells you the results. The checking methods and criteria differ by partner, so follow that partner's guide and testing procedure. EDI-VAN delivers the test documents and checks the acknowledgments. If the partner points out something to fix, we work through it with you on the Custom plan, and EDI-VAN handles it on the Dedicated plan. If a change to the business content is needed, you only need to supply the corrected data.

What should be included in an EDI testing checklist?

A testing checklist should be set up to confirm that the required documents flow correctly from start to finish and that their content matches your actual business.

• A test round trip was done for each type of document you will exchange (for example: receive an 850 purchase order → send an 855 order acknowledgment, 856 ship notice, and 810 invoice)
• A 997 acknowledgment came back for every document you sent
• Business details such as items, quantities, prices, and ship-to addresses match the source data
• Your trading partner's review results and the points to fix were recorded

If your trading partner has its own testing procedure, its items take priority. On the Custom and Dedicated plans, EDI-VAN joins you in the detailed checks.

How do you prepare test data for EDI certification?

It is best to prepare test data that is as close to real transactions as possible. Usually you prepare basic data such as the items you will actually deliver, trading partner information, delivery addresses, and prices. In many cases, your trading partner sends you a test order. In that case, you build and match your response documents based on that order. Which data you need to prepare, and how much, depends on your trading partner's guide and your system, and we will work it out with you in a consultation.

What happens if EDI test files pass syntax validation but fail business rules?

If a file passes syntax validation but fails business rules, the document has the right form, but its contents do not match your trading partner's requirements. This can happen, for example, when item numbers, prices, quantities, or delivery addresses differ from the order. In this case, based on what your trading partner tells us, we sort out whether the cause is in the source data or in the format mapping, and fix it accordingly. For format mapping problems, EDI-VAN handles the fix in the Custom and Dedicated plans. Source data problems are for you to correct. After the fix, the files are tested again and matched before trading goes live.

How do you fix EDI acknowledgment issues (997/CONTRL) during onboarding?

For 997 acknowledgment (CONTRL) issues during onboarding, EDI-VAN checks the status and works with your partner to find and resolve the cause. A 997 is a "reply confirming the document was received." If it does not arrive, or arrives as a rejection, it means the other side did not receive the document or could not accept it. Registered customers can see the delivery, acknowledgment, and error status of each document on screen. In the Custom plan, EDI-VAN works through it with you during the testing stage. In the Dedicated plan, EDI-VAN finds missing acknowledgments or partner rejections first and contacts you. If you send us the guide from your trading partner in advance, we can resolve it faster.

What is the difference between a test environment and production in EDI onboarding?

A test environment is a trial connection whose documents are not processed as real transactions, while production is the connection where real orders and invoices are exchanged. You exchange documents end to end in testing to confirm the format and contents are correct, and only then move to production. EDI-VAN runs this testing before trading is opened, and if the retailer has a defined testing procedure, we follow it. Retailers may charge fees when documents are late or incorrect, so we recommend testing thoroughly before going live.

How do you manage EDI onboarding for a new customer?

Onboarding a new trading partner follows this sequence: Contact us → Consultation → Registration and testing → Start of trading.

• Contact us: You leave your company, the partner you want to trade with, and your desired start date.
• Consultation: We review together the method your partner requires and the systems you use now (ERP, Excel, etc.).
• Registration and testing: EDI-VAN registers the trading partner and exchanges test documents end to end until they match.
• Start of trading: From real orders onward, documents are exchanged automatically.

In the Direct plan, you handle testing and launch yourself; in the Custom plan, EDI-VAN supports you; and in the Dedicated plan, EDI-VAN takes charge of the process.

How do I test GS1-128 labels before going live?

GS1-128 labels are checked against the guide sent by your trading partner, during the pre-production testing stage together with the 856 ship notice. GS1-128 is an international standard barcode label attached to each box. Its number is carried in the ship notice and is used by the retailer to match against receiving, so the two must agree. The 856 ship notice is the most demanding document, so if you choose the Dedicated plan, EDI-VAN handles the process through to launch. The label testing procedure differs by retailer, and we will confirm it with you in a consultation.

How can we avoid failure when implementing EDI?

The most important thing in EDI implementation is to test thoroughly before opening trading. If documents are late or wrong, the retailer may charge you for it, so taking your time with testing is actually faster in the end.

• Get the guide sent by your trading partner first
• Organize your basic data, such as items and trading partners, in advance
• If the retailer has set a deadline, contact us right away to confirm the schedule

For the harder parts, EDI-VAN works with you in the Customized and Dedicated plans.

How many test purchase orders will the retailer send?

The number of test purchase orders depends on each retailer's own test procedure, so we can't give a single answer. EDI-VAN sets up testing based on the guide sent by that retailer, and opens trading only after test documents have been exchanged and confirmed from start to finish. If you tell us the name of the retailer you will trade with, we will check this for you during the consultation.

Can I test EDI before my inventory or warehouse system is ready?

Yes, there are ways to get started even before your inventory or warehouse system is ready. EDI-VAN provides a web entry screen that requires no developer, as well as Excel/CSV file upload, so you can exchange documents even before connecting any system. Once your system is ready later, you can move to automatic file transfer or system integration. However, in actual operation the document contents must match your inventory and shipments, so we will confirm with you during the consultation how the testing should be done.

How do I test EDI for promotional or seasonal purchase orders?

Promotional and seasonal purchase orders are also included in testing and matched based on the guide sent by that retailer. Their content may differ from regular orders, so it is a good idea to check which cases exist before opening trading. Each retailer works differently, so we will confirm the specific scope of testing with you during the consultation.

What happens if I fail EDI certification testing?

If something doesn't match in certification testing, you fix it and test again, and trading starts once you pass. Trading may start later as a result, so thorough testing from the beginning is important. In the Customized plan, EDI-VAN supports format conversion and testing together, and in the Dedicated plan, EDI-VAN handles the process through to launch. Retest conditions and schedule are based on that retailer's guide, and we will give you an expected schedule during the consultation.

How can I track which suppliers have completed EDI onboarding?

If you are a retailer, EDI-VAN handles supplier connection guidance, registration and testing on your behalf, so you can check together with us how far each supplier has progressed. After trading starts, you can see the response, shipment and invoice stages for each order, along with delivery, receipt confirmation and error status, on the registered screen. Even small suppliers without a system can take part through EDI-VAN's system and receive orders in the same way. We will confirm with you during the consultation in what form you would like to receive onboarding progress updates.

Can AI help onboard new EDI trading partners?

AI chat can answer your questions right away before you connect a new trading partner, such as how to calculate fees, how to connect, and what document types are involved. You can use it immediately after identity verification (by mobile text message in Korea, or by WhatsApp overseas), and a staff member will follow up on your chat to help you more accurately. The actual registration and testing of trading partners are handled by EDI-VAN after you contact us and have a consultation. AI answers are for reference only; a confirmed quote or contract is provided through Contact us.

How do you know if an EDI partner is ready for certification?

Readiness for certification is judged by whether test documents can be exchanged from start to finish with the correct format and content. If the retailer has set its own test procedure, that procedure is the standard. On the registered screen, you can check each document's status: delivered, receipt confirmed, or error. For the Custom service, EDI-VAN supports you during testing, and for the Managed service, EDI-VAN handles things up to go-live and keeps an eye on your readiness. We recommend going live only after thorough testing.

How long should a parallel run last before turning off the old process?

We can't give a fixed number for how long a parallel run should last. It depends on the test and transition procedure set by your trading partner (the retailer), your document volume, and how ready your data is. Before going live, EDI-VAN exchanges test documents from start to finish to make sure everything matches, and follows the retailer's procedure if one has been set. We recommend deciding when to turn off your old process only after thorough testing. We can confirm an expected schedule for your situation in a consultation, so please leave your trading partner and desired start date through Contact us.

Can you go live with EDI without a parallel run?

Whether a parallel run is strictly required depends on the procedure set by your trading partner and your situation, but we do not recommend going live without thorough testing. This is because some retailers charge fees when documents are late or incorrect. Before going live, EDI-VAN exchanges test documents from start to finish to make sure everything matches, and follows the retailer's test procedure if one has been set. Whether to do a parallel run, and for how long, is decided together with you in a consultation.

How do you track EDI testing issues and fixes?

We can confirm in a consultation how issues found during testing and their fixes are recorded and shared. What is confirmed from our materials is as follows. Registered customers can see the documents exchanged and their status (delivered, receipt confirmed, error) on screen. In addition, EDI-VAN checks the format and content of documents before sending them and lets you know if there is a problem. For details on how this is managed, please contact us through Contact us.

What is the difference between internal testing and partner testing in EDI?

Internal testing is the first stage, where you check that your own data is turned into correct documents. Partner testing is the stage where you exchange test documents from start to finish with your actual trading partner so that both sides match. For partner testing, if the retailer has set a test procedure, that procedure is followed. What we handle for each service type is as follows:

• Direct: You carry out partner testing yourself.
• Custom: EDI-VAN supports format alignment and partner testing.
• Managed: EDI-VAN handles everything from partner testing through to the start of trading.

How does EDI change our business workflow?

With EDI, the handling of trade documents that used to go through email, Excel and phone calls becomes an automatic flow between systems, and people only need to check the results.

• Orders: The retailer's 850 purchase order arrives automatically, and a confirmation of receipt is sent back to them automatically.
• Replies and shipping: You check stock and reply right away with an accept or reject, and the warehouse shipping instruction follows.
• Shipment and invoice: The 856 ship notice and 810 invoice go out according to each trading partner's rules, and the flow continues through to payment details.

You can see all the documents exchanged and their status at a glance on screen, so you can immediately tell where something got stuck.