You’ve invested in EDI to streamline order processing, improve accuracy, and stay compliant with trading partners. So why are you still getting hit with chargebacks, missed deadlines, and mapping headaches?
Here’s the truth: most common EDI problems aren’t technical at their core they’re the result of inconsistent internal management. The good news? These problems are fixable with better processes, clearer ownership, and smarter coordination across your teams.
1. Duplicate or Missing Transactions
Issue: Transactions like invoices or POs are sent more than once, or not at all.
Fix: Create strict internal process controls and implement transaction logging. Assign EDI ownership and confirm each document’s journey from source to destination.
2. Incorrect ASN (Advanced Ship Notice) Data
Issue: Shipment weights, carton counts, or tracking numbers don’t match expectations.
Fix: Improve warehouse processes and integrate ASN generation with barcode scanning. Accurate data entry starts at the loading dock.
3. Late or Missed Document Deadlines
Issue: EDI documents miss cutoff times, triggering retailer chargebacks.
Fix: Build your EDI process around fulfillment schedules. Set internal buffers and assign team accountability to keep everything on time.
4. Mismatched Invoice and PO Data
Issue: Invoice amounts don’t match what the retailer expected.
Fix: Align pricing and SKU data across purchasing, sales, and accounting. A single source of truth for item master data prevents costly mismatches.
5. Unmapped or Incorrectly Mapped SKUs
Issue: Your internal SKUs don’t match the retailer’s catalog.
Fix: Maintain an updated item cross-reference table and assign a point person to handle SKU translation and mapping upkeep.
6. Missing or Invalid UCC-128 Labels
Issue: Labels don’t scan correctly or are applied wrong, causing dock delays.
Fix: Integrate UCC-128 label printing into your ERP/WMS and train warehouse staff on proper label application and verification.
7. No Internal Testing Environment
Issue: Testing happens in production, causing preventable live errors.
Fix: Set up a proper test environment. Run new scenarios and simulate edge cases before anything hits production.
8. Lack of EDI Ownership
Issue: EDI is “everyone’s problem”...which means it’s no one’s priority.
Fix: Assign a dedicated EDI lead or form a cross-functional team responsible for oversight and continuous improvement.
9. Chargebacks with No Root Cause Analysis
Issue: Retailer fines keep coming but no one knows why.
Fix: Review every chargeback. Create a feedback loop between sales, shipping, and finance to identify, and fix, the root cause.
10. Disconnected Systems
Issue: Your ERP, WMS, and EDI platform don’t talk to each other.
Fix: Invest in integration. Automate data flow across platforms and eliminate manual entry points that invite human error.
If you’re still firefighting EDI problems, take a step back and evaluate the processes behind them. With the right management practices in place, most EDI issues can be prevented entirely.
At Crackerjack-IT, we don’t just build integrations—we help businesses fix what’s broken behind the scenes. Because true EDI success isn’t just about compliance; it’s about process excellence.