EDI Challenges and Testing

Yesterday, we talked about the choice between using EDI and API for Supply Chain management software communications. Today, we will talk about EDI challenges and in testing EDI.

Let’s take the example of a Warehouse Management System. A Warehouse Management System (WMS) has communication channels between the supplier and the warehouse, and the warehouse and the buyer. In EDI, there are 6 communication types or flows that are involved these, which are covered in several blogs and YouTube videos. While the flows are standardized, EDI flows usually have multiple versions, so the version to be used has to be agreed upon by both businesses communicating with each other, which is a point for testing interoperability. In addition, there are the additional challenges.

EDI has hierarchy of data flows and hence complex. The test architecture and strategy has to be carefully designed to cover all aspects of the hierarchy.

EDI is an old standard, which is around 50 years old. Modern systems are using APIs, etc., which need to gel with EDI. This usually is challenging because EDI is based on batch processing whereas API is real time. This needs additional testing for interoperability.

EDI has multiple versions and formats, hence while testing these, the interoperability between businesses’ implementations has to be carefully tested. The compliance to the EDI standards based on the different versions has also be carefully planned.

Finally, EDI is not fully automated, and involves manual effort also. Any manual operation would involve manual work while testing too. There are chances of errors and omissions in manually checking things. Additionally, laborious processes put heavy strain on human beings, when done repeatedly.

Testing complex systems need years of expertise in testing and necessary maturity and depth of knowledge in testing. For more information on testing supply chain management software, you could contact me, and I would be glad to respond back to you.