Siddeshwar Remma, an EDI / Data Integration Specialist at MIT Recourse LLC, writes a special column for DM about the architectural considerations of real-time EDI processing.
A right architecture is not just a setup for performance, but it can make or break the entire process. Same thing applies while considering architectural aspect during the EDI processing. The Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) allows businesses to share documents like purchase orders and invoices electronically, saving time and reducing errors. The same goes for Real-time EDI, which goes a bit more by enabling instant data exchange, but designing systems for it requires careful planning.
There is a lot of difference between traditional batch processing during which the files pile up and process later and the Real Time EDI. The data in real-time EDI moves between businesses almost instantly. This avoids problems caused due to delay and saves the face of industries like healthcare or retail. But to make it work, the system needs to handle data fast, stay reliable, and scale when demand spikes. Here we shall discuss some of the factors that should be considered and ensured for real-time processing.
One important aspect of Real-Time EDI processing is reliability. To protect the systems from crashing and losing the trust and money of the customers, the architecture should include backup servers and failover mechanisms. There should always be another server, whenever in the case a server fails.
Regular monitoring also helps spot issues before they become big problems. For instance, I once worked on a project where we set up alerts to catch slow connections early, saving hours of downtime.
Scalability is another key factor. There are times when you will have a spike of data and requests, like holiday sales, during which data volumes can skyrocket. The system should handle these surges without slowing down. Cloud-based solutions are useful here because they let you add more computing power when needed.
Having said all these factors, the main visible and threatening factor that must ensure robustness at all costs is Security.There is a lot of sensitive data like pricing and customer details at stake, flying between multiple businesses at an instant. Imagine the danger of leaking data, if there is a data security breach. Firewalls and data encryption protocols must ensure that the system becomes foolproof against any kind of data leak. Access control is another way of savingthe face of EDI processing. These firewalls are not just for setup but cyber security measures will be updated, with new waves from time to time.
Finally, the system should be easy to maintain. The documentation and modular designs help teams fix issues without disrupting the whole setup. Breaking the process into small steps makes upgrades simpler and reduces the scope of errors.
People don’t assort to machines, just because they are machines, they must offer more efficiency, productivity, security, and profitability. A well-designed real-time EDI keeping all the above characteristics in mind will yield a great profitable model to the client. As EDI continues to grow, thoughtful design will help companies stay competitive and meet customer demands efficiently.