Many shippers have electronic data interchange (EDI) on their motor carrier and broker requirements checklists, along with valid DOT authority, insurance coverage, and satisfactory safety ratings. It’s an unavoidable cost of doing business.

The largest shippers, brokers, and carriers account for nearly all EDI traffic, but small companies can access the same technology with all the benefits for a fraction of the cost. Besides deploying affordable EDI solutions, small fleets, and brokers can use the technology to climb shipper rankings with high load acceptance rates, on-time arrivals, and invoice accuracy.

In this article, you’ll learn how Tranztec helps small companies simplify EDI with a scalable platform that saves money and increases back-office efficiency.

Meeting Shipper EDI Requirements

With traditional EDI, routine communications between shippers and their brokers and carriers use text or “flat” CSV (comma-separated values) exchange files in a standard format. Newer communication methods exchange the same data using Internet protocols like HTML and XML.

The most common EDI transactions are 204 (load tender), 210 (invoice), and 214 (status update). While EDI has a standard format, many shippers add unique data elements to these transaction sets, such as extra fields to put facility numbers in load tenders or accessorial freight charges in invoices.

The Changing Face of EDI

A transportation management system (TMS) is the starting point for connectivity options. Suppose a fleet already has a transportation management system. In that case, EDI translation software is needed to map data from the TMS to match each customer’s specifications and vice versa.

Additionally, carriers and brokers may need to pay value-added network (VAN) transmission fees. Shippers often use VANs to manage their data exchange process.

In recent years, EDI has been transformed by cloud-based platforms that allow companies of all sizes to connect with shippers directly with or without a TMS or VAN. Brokers and carriers can bypass VANs with web-based platforms that securely exchange EDI and other formats through FTP, AS2, and APIs.

This shift towards cloud-based platforms for data exchanges is part of a larger trend. Gartner predicts enterprise IT spending on cloud-based application software, infrastructure, and business process services will overtake spending on traditional solutions in 2025.

A Solution for Every Fleet

Tranztec is leading the charge to make EDI and other forms of communication faster and more affordable for fleets and brokers of all sizes. The cloud-based Tranztec Connect platform deploys quickly to meet shippers’ preferred data exchange formats. 

Small fleets and brokers. Those without a TMS or those with one that cannot do EDI and other exchanges can deploy Tranztec Connect as a web portal. The simple visual interface gives users everything they need to send and receive messages with customers. Tranztec handles all the EDI translation, mapping, and transmission.

For those who do not have a TMS, the Tranztec Connect interface eliminates the need to use spreadsheets or other programs to manage load details.

Users can send and receive load tenders, shipment status updates, and more. Tranztec Connect translates files from shippers and presents the data as messages to users in a t-card format. Each message is displayed on a card and organized into columns according to status.

For example, when users accept a load tender, they drag the order card to the next column to track its progress from order to delivery. Users can add information to each card like the driver, truck, and trailer number assigned to the load.

Similarly, when a driver arrives or departs from a pickup or delivery location, a user can click an “arrive” or “depart” button on the card to send a shipment status update (214).

Mid-size companies. Tranztec Connect is an integration layer for fleets and brokers with a TMS. The platform connects with ELD telematics and other systems to automatically send and receive shipment status updates. A customizable feature lets users define the boundaries of geofences at customer locations, which trigger shipment updates when trucks arrive and depart from pickups and deliveries.

Large companies. Tranztec Connect’s pre-built integrations are a foundation for deploying Tranztec Extend. This robust digital T-card system fills technology gaps and automates workflows for load planning, shipment tracking, communications, and other critical functions.

The Tranztec Advantage

Do you need to meet a customer’s requirements for connectivity or find a more affordable and flexible EDI solution? Tranztec Connect allows you to scale up or down as needed to meet customer EDI requirements and so much more. 

Tranztec Connect is a backbone for motor carrier and logistics operations. The open connector technology and business process automation capabilities are a foundational hub for full-speed integration and automated workflows.

Contact us today for a demo to see how it delivers immediate advantages for companies of all sizes:

Speed: Set up EDI with customers quickly (two weeks or less).

Visibility: Seamlessly manage customer communications and load details.

Automation: Fill process gaps and maximize efficiency.