Retail EDI Onboarding Checklist
Plan your retailer EDI setup from retailer information gathering through go-live validation. Enter your details to generate a customized onboarding tracker.
Step 1: Retailer Information
Enter the details about your retailer and EDI connection setup.
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Talk to Our TeamFrequently Asked Questions About EDI Onboarding
How long does EDI onboarding typically take for a new retailer?
With pre-established connections: 2–4 weeks. From scratch: 2–4 months. The difference is infrastructure. If your 3PL already has a pre-built connection to your retailer’s EDI provider (like SPS Commerce), you’re essentially configuring parameters. If you’re building the connection from zero, you’re also building the infrastructure itself, which adds time.
What EDI transactions do most retailers require?
Typically: 850 (PO), 856 (ASN), 810 (Invoice), 855 (PO Acknowledgment), 997 (Functional Acknowledgment). Some add PO Change (860). These are the core transactions that move a purchase order from retailer procurement through shipment, delivery, and invoicing. Additional transactions like 846 (Inventory Advice) are less common but sometimes required for specialty channels like e-commerce or quick-turn programs.
Do I need SPS Commerce specifically?
SPS Commerce is the most common EDI provider for retail, but TrueCommerce, Cleo, and others work too. The key is your 3PL having pre-built connections through your chosen provider. If your retailer supports multiple EDI platforms, choose the one where your 3PL already has infrastructure in place — it will dramatically shorten your onboarding timeline.
What happens if EDI testing fails?
You iterate. Common failures include field mapping errors (wrong date format, incorrect field lengths), timing configuration issues (ASN sent too early or too late), and PO format mismatches (extra fields retailer wasn’t expecting). This is normal and expected — which is why testing happens before go-live. Each iteration typically takes 1–2 business days once you identify the issue.
Can I use this checklist for multiple retailers?
Yes. Each retailer onboarding follows the same process but with retailer-specific configurations. Download the Excel template to track multiple retailers in parallel. The sections (mapping setup, testing, validation, go-live) remain constant; the details (PO formats, label requirements, ASN timing) change by retailer.