With the right help, managing your supply chain doesn't have to feel like a full-court press.
Author: Patty Brehm
In the game of modern business, facilitating a supply chain is akin to being the GM of a championship basketball team. While star players like the 850 Purchase Order and the 810 Invoice often steal the spotlight, several other EDI documents play key roles. Let’s explore this a bit more.
EDI 855: Purchase Order Acknowledgment – The Shooting Guard
Role: As the shooting guard of the supply chain, the EDI 855 takes on a pivotal role in confirming the initiation of transactions, akin to how a shooting guard starts the scoring drive.
Why It’s Important:
- Accuracy in Execution: Just as a shooting guard ensures precision in shots to score points, the EDI 855 ensures that orders are processed correctly, setting a clear path for fulfillment.
- Strategic Role: A shooting guard helps define the pace and flow of the game, the EDI 855 sets the operational tempo by confirming and detailing transactions.
EDI 846: Inventory Inquiry/Advice – The Small Forward
Role: The EDI 846, like a small forward, excels in versatility, providing critical updates on inventory status that inform multiple supply chain activities.
Why It’s Important:
- Inventory Visibility: Much like a small forward who provides support both in offense and defense, the EDI 846 offers comprehensive visibility across stock levels, aiding in strategic deployment of resources.
- Improved Planning: This document enables better demand forecasting, like a small forward who anticipates play movements and positions themselves accordingly.
EDI 860: Purchase Order Change Request – The Power Forward
Role: Acting as the power forward in the supply chain, the EDI 860 handles heavy lifting when it comes to modifying orders, showcasing strength and adaptability.
Why It’s Important:
- Error Minimization: Helps ensure that every play—every order change—is executed flawlessly to avoid costly mistakes.
- Strong Presence: Dominates the logistical aspects of order modifications, ensuring robust defense against disruptions.
EDI 856: Advance Ship Notice (ASN) – The Center
Role: The center of the team, the EDI 856, provides foundational support by preparing teams for what’s coming—the incoming shipments.
Why It’s Important:
- Preparation: Like a center prepares to rebound, the EDI 856 helps teams prepare for the arrival of goods, ensuring efficient handling and storage.
- Synchronization: Critical in syncing inbound logistics with warehouse operations, akin to a center maintaining harmony between offense and defense.
EDI 997: Functional Acknowledgment – The Coach
Role: Overseeing the entire play, the EDI 997 serves as the coach, confirming the success of transactions and ensuring that every member of the team plays their part correctly.
Why It’s Important:
- Communication Assurance: Guarantees that every ‘play’ or transaction is acknowledged, ensuring no communication drops.
- Process Tracking: Keeps a detailed record of all actions, helping in strategic planning and analysis, akin to a coach reviewing game tape for improved future performance.
Creating a Supply Chain Playbook and Running Drills
A good GM understands the critical roles played by his or her players and coaching staff just like an excellent supply chain manager understands which EDI documents in a supply chain are essential in different parts of the supply chain process for any business aiming for championship-level performance. Each document, much like each player, contributes uniquely and indispensably to the team’s success, ensuring operations run smoothly and efficiently. However, being a supply chain manager, like a GM is a big job, and you don’t always have time to dig into the nitty-gritty details of EDI documentation data.
By leveraging an assist from a VAN-provider like Kleinschmidt, your company can optimize their supply chain processes by ensuring data is flowing seamlessly 24x7x365 and reducing the time and headcount it might take to onboard new trading partners whether you are using a legacy TMS or the latest ERP system.
