Key EDI Roles in the Market

In the EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) landscape, various roles exist that contribute to the setup, management, integration, and maintenance of EDI processes across industries. These roles typically focus on specific aspects of EDI technology, ranging from development and mapping to analysis and support. 

Here's a list of key EDI roles commonly found in the market:

1. EDI Developer

• Responsibilities:
  • Design, develop, and implement EDI solutions, including creating and maintaining EDI maps, transaction sets, and integrations.
  • Convert internal business documents (XML, CSV, etc.) to EDI formats like ANSI X12, EDIFACT, or Tradacoms.
  • Work with EDI software tools and middleware to automate data exchange.
• Skills: Programming (e.g., Java, C#, Python), EDI mapping tools (e.g., Gentran, Sterling B2B), understanding of EDI standards, and integration experience.

2. EDI Analyst

• Responsibilities:
  • Analyze business requirements and translate them into EDI specifications.
  • Serve as a liaison between the business and IT teams to implement EDI solutions.
  • Troubleshoot EDI transaction errors and manage communication with trading partners.
• Skills: Strong analytical skills, knowledge of EDI standards (e.g., X12, EDIFACT), data mapping, communication with business and technical teams, problem-solving.

3. EDI Coordinator

• Responsibilities:
  • Manage daily operations of EDI processes, ensuring timely and accurate transmission of transactions.
  • Coordinate EDI activities between internal teams, trading partners, and third-party service providers.
  • Handle onboarding of new trading partners and manage partner communication.
• Skills: Project management, EDI standards, partner relationship management, troubleshooting EDI issues.

4. EDI Manager

• Responsibilities:
  • Oversee the EDI team and ensure the smooth functioning of EDI systems.
  • Manage trading partner relationships, onboarding processes, and large-scale EDI initiatives.
  • Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations, such as HIPAA, GS1, or GDPR.
• Skills: Leadership, project management, EDI standards, communication with executive teams, and strategic planning.

5. EDI Integration Specialist

• Responsibilities:
  • Design and implement integrations between EDI systems and ERP, CRM, WMS, or other enterprise systems.
  • Ensure seamless data flow between internal systems and external trading partners.
  • Manage APIs, middleware, and other tools for automated data exchange.
• Skills: Integration technologies (e.g., APIs, RESTful services), EDI standards, ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), and knowledge of middleware solutions.

6. EDI Mapping Specialist

• Responsibilities:
  • Create and maintain data mappings between internal systems and EDI formats.
  • Work with EDI developers and analysts to ensure proper translation of data between formats such as X12, EDIFACT, or Tradacoms.
  • Test and validate EDI maps for accuracy and efficiency.
• Skills: Expertise in EDI mapping tools (e.g., MapForce, Sterling B2B Integrator), knowledge of EDI standards, and data mapping concepts.

7. EDI Support Specialist

• Responsibilities:
  • Provide first-level technical support for EDI-related issues.
  • Monitor EDI transactions for errors, perform troubleshooting, and communicate with trading partners to resolve issues.
  • Assist with testing and validation of EDI implementations.
• Skills: Strong problem-solving abilities, EDI systems knowledge, communication with technical and non-technical teams, and attention to detail.

8. EDI Consultant

• Responsibilities:
  • Advise companies on best practices for EDI implementation and integration.
  • Provide recommendations on EDI solutions, vendors, and software that align with the business needs.
  • Guide companies through compliance and regulatory challenges, including data security and industry-specific standards.
• Skills: Expertise in EDI tools, consulting experience, understanding of specific industries (e.g., healthcare, retail, manufacturing), and familiarity with multiple EDI standards.

9. EDI VAN (Value-Added Network) Administrator

• Responsibilities:
  • Manage the setup and configuration of VAN services for secure EDI data transmission.
  • Monitor VAN communication between trading partners and ensure all transactions are transmitted successfully.
  • Troubleshoot transmission errors and maintain communication logs for audit purposes.
• Skills: Knowledge of VAN services, data communication protocols (e.g., AS2, SFTP, FTP), transaction monitoring, and network security.

10. EDI Compliance Specialist

• Responsibilities:
  • Ensure that EDI processes adhere to industry-specific regulations and standards.
  • Implement data privacy policies and maintain compliance with standards such as HIPAA for healthcare, GDPR for data privacy, or SOX for financial reporting.
  • Conduct audits and maintain documentation for regulatory purposes.
• Skills: Compliance management, industry regulations (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, SOX), documentation, and legal requirements for data exchange.

11. EDI Project Manager

• Responsibilities:
  • Lead EDI implementation projects, coordinating between internal stakeholders, external partners, and service providers.
  • Manage timelines, resources, and budgets to ensure successful completion of EDI projects.
  • Oversee testing, validation, and go-live processes for EDI integrations.
• Skills: Project management, stakeholder communication, EDI knowledge, resource planning, and risk management.

12. EDI Trading Partner Specialist

• Responsibilities:
  • Manage relationships with trading partners, ensuring compliance with their EDI requirements.
  • Onboard new partners, setting up EDI transactions, testing connectivity, and coordinating data mapping.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for trading partner-related EDI issues.
• Skills: Partner relationship management, EDI onboarding, communication protocols, and compliance with partner standards.

13. EDI Architect

• Responsibilities:
  • Design and architect scalable EDI systems and integrations to meet business needs.
  • Ensure that the EDI infrastructure supports current and future transactions and trading partner expansions.
  • Align EDI systems with business goals and ensure smooth data flow between multiple systems.
• Skills: System architecture, EDI standards, API design, cloud services, scalability planning, and high-level system integration.

14. EDI Trainer

• Responsibilities:
  • Provide training to internal teams, partners, or clients on EDI concepts, tools, and best practices.
  • Create training materials and conduct workshops on specific EDI tools, standards, and integration processes.
  • Ensure that team members have a deep understanding of EDI processes and how to handle day-to-day tasks.
• Skills: Teaching, deep knowledge of EDI tools and standards, communication, and curriculum development.

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Common EDI Roles:

• Technical Roles: EDI Developer, EDI Mapping Specialist, EDI Support Specialist, EDI Architect.
• Business Roles: EDI Analyst, EDI Coordinator, EDI Manager, EDI Consultant, EDI Compliance Specialist.
• Management and Partner-Focused Roles: EDI Project Manager, EDI Trading Partner Specialist, EDI Trainer.

Each role plays a critical part in implementing, managing, and optimizing EDI processes to ensure seamless and efficient business-to-business communication.