IBM Sterling EDI Explained: Beyond Legacy EDI
What IBM Sterling EDI covers, how modern EDI differs from legacy EDI, and how Transalis runs fully managed EDI for you.
Transalis manages EDI connectivity, document translation, integration, monitoring and ongoing operations.
Connect to over 15,000 organisations across 50+ countries through a single managed connection.
Transalis has successfully migrated 15,000 businesses from legacy EDI providers.
From IBM Sterling EDI to modern EDI
- Provider
- IBM Sterling
- Main EDI offer
- Sterling B2B Integrator and B2B Integration SaaS
- What it covers
- Enterprise B2B integration and EDI through Sterling B2B Integrator and B2B Integration SaaS.
- Transalis alternative
- OpenEDI: modern, fully managed enterprise EDI
- Switching service
- SwitchAssist: mapping, integration, testing and cutover
At a glance
IBM Sterling is an established global provider of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), B2B integration and supply chain connectivity through its IBM Sterling B2B Integrator and IBM Sterling B2B Integration SaaS solutions. IBM Sterling's EDI resources explain how businesses connect trading partners, integrate ERP systems and automate the exchange of purchase orders, invoices, despatch notices and other EDI trading documents across complex enterprise supply chains.
What is modern EDI?
Modern EDI builds on established electronic data interchange standards by combining automated trading partner connectivity, ERP integration, automated data extraction, real-time transaction visibility and fully managed EDI services on a single platform.
A modern alternative to IBM Sterling
Transalis OpenEDI offers businesses a modern, fully managed enterprise EDI alternative to IBM Sterling, combining global connectivity, AI data extraction with Transalis DataDNA and EDI Managed Outcomes.
How Transalis delivers modern EDI
Transalis brings EDI into the modern era. Through its OpenEDI platform and global Trading Network, Transalis connects over 15,000 organisations across 50+ countries, delivering modern EDI Managed Outcomes without the cost and complexity of legacy EDI VAN infrastructure.
Outcomes, not just technology
Modern EDI is about outcomes, not just technology. Building on the EDI fundamentals explained by IBM Sterling, Transalis combines enterprise EDI integration, automated trading partner onboarding, automated data extraction from non-EDI documents, real-time visibility and ongoing EDI management into one fully managed service.
Why consider Transalis as an alternative to IBM Sterling EDI?
With extensive experience migrating businesses from legacy EDI providers, including IBM Sterling, and processing over 30 million transactions annually, Transalis combines international scale, modern automation and dedicated personal service.
Modern EDI v legacy EDI: the key differences
The purpose of EDI has not changed: exchanging business documents electronically. What has changed is how much of the work a business must run itself. Four of the biggest differences are below.
| EDI capability | Legacy EDI approach | Transalis modern EDI |
|---|---|---|
| EDI infrastructure | Traditional VANs and EDI software | Cloud-based, fully managed enterprise EDI through Transalis OpenEDI, without the need to maintain legacy VAN infrastructure. |
| EDI management | May require internal EDI expertise | Fully managed EDI services covering connectivity, integration, monitoring, technical support and ongoing EDI operations. |
| Change management | Configuration and mapping changes may require specialist resources | Fully managed EDI change management, including document mapping updates, trading partner requirements, testing and ongoing support. |
| Scalability | Established network capacity and infrastructure | Enterprise EDI connectivity supporting international trading, multiple trading partners and growing transaction volumes across 50+ countries. |
All nine differences are on the EDI Basics: legacy EDI vs modern EDI page.
Transalis Modern EDI Managed Outcomes
Modern EDI is about more than exchanging electronic documents. It is about connecting trading partners, integrating business systems and automating supply chain transactions without the complexity of managing EDI infrastructure.
- OpenEDI
Modern EDI managed outcomes
Transalis manages EDI connectivity, document translation, integration, monitoring and ongoing operations, reducing the need for businesses to maintain specialist EDI infrastructure or technical expertise.
Explore OpenEDI - Managed integration
ERP integration and EDI change management
Transalis manages integration between EDI and ERP or business systems, alongside mapping changes, testing, trading partner requirements and ongoing technical support.
Explore integrations - Trading Network
Global connectivity
Connect to over 15,000 organisations across 50+ countries through a single managed connection, supporting the automated exchange of orders, invoices, despatch notices and other business-critical documents.
Explore the Trading Network
Modern EDI. Global Capability. Personal Service.
- 15,000+
- organisations on the Trading Network
- 30m+
- transactions a year
- 7bn+
- invoice value a year
- 50+
- countries connected
IBM Sterling EDI Explained: common questions
What is IBM Sterling EDI?
IBM Sterling is an established global provider of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), B2B integration and supply chain connectivity through its IBM Sterling B2B Integrator and IBM Sterling B2B Integration SaaS solutions. IBM Sterling's EDI resources explain how businesses connect trading partners, integrate ERP systems and automate the exchange of purchase orders, invoices, despatch notices and other EDI trading documents across complex enterprise supply chains.
Is Transalis an alternative to IBM Sterling EDI?
Yes. Transalis OpenEDI offers businesses a modern, fully managed enterprise EDI alternative to IBM Sterling, combining global connectivity, AI data extraction with Transalis DataDNA and EDI Managed Outcomes. With extensive experience migrating businesses from legacy EDI providers, including IBM Sterling, and processing over 30 million transactions annually, Transalis combines international scale, modern automation and dedicated personal service.
Can I switch from IBM Sterling to Transalis without disrupting my business?
Yes. Businesses can migrate from IBM Sterling to Transalis while maintaining their established trading partner relationships. Through its SwitchAssist service, Transalis manages EDI mapping, integration, testing and migration planning to minimise disruption and maintain business continuity throughout the transition.
How does Transalis compare with IBM Sterling?
The Transalis vs. IBM Sterling comparison sets out Transalis products, services and capabilities against 10 key EDI criteria, and you score IBM Sterling on the same criteria from 1 to 10. You decide which provider best meets your business needs.
Explore EDI Basics and other EDI providers
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Ready to replace your legacy EDI provider?
Switching from IBM Sterling to modern, fully managed EDI doesn't have to be complicated. Transalis has successfully migrated 15,000 businesses from legacy EDI providers, helping organisations modernise their EDI operations, reduce costs and maintain established trading relationships.
Modern EDI. Global Capability. Personal Service.
75% of Transalis customers migrated from an incumbent EDI provider and 25% were new to EDI.