OpenText EDI Explained: Beyond Legacy EDI
What OpenText 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 OpenText EDI to modern EDI
- Provider
- OpenText
- Main EDI offer
- OpenText Trading Grid
- What it covers
- B2B integration and EDI through OpenText Trading Grid, formerly the GXS network.
- Transalis alternative
- OpenEDI: modern, fully managed enterprise EDI
- Switching service
- SwitchAssist: mapping, integration, testing and cutover
- Standards
- UK TRADACOMS, European EANCOM, EDIFACT and ANSI X12
At a glance
OpenText is an established global provider of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), B2B integration and supply chain automation through its OpenText Trading Grid platform, formerly the GXS EDI network. OpenText's EDI resources, including its EDI Basics website, 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 international 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 OpenText
Transalis OpenEDI offers businesses a modern, fully managed enterprise EDI alternative to OpenText, 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 OpenText, 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 OpenText EDI?
With extensive experience migrating businesses from OpenText/GXS and other competing EDI providers, and processing over 30 million transactions annually, Transalis combines international scale, modern automation and dedicated personal service.
For businesses trading across the UK and Europe, Transalis brings extensive experience supporting regional EDI standards, including UK TRADACOMS and European EANCOM, alongside international EDIFACT and ANSI X12 requirements.
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. |
| Trading partner connectivity | Connections managed through established networks | One managed connection to the Transalis Trading Network, connecting 15,000+ organisations across 50+ countries. |
| EDI management | May require internal EDI expertise | Fully managed EDI services covering connectivity, integration, monitoring, technical support and ongoing EDI operations. |
| Non-EDI documents | PDF and email orders keyed in by hand | Transalis DataDNA uses AI to extract order and invoice data from non-EDI documents such as PDFs, so they flow into your systems like EDI. |
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 - 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 - DataDNA
AI data extraction
Transalis DataDNA reads orders and invoices that arrive as PDFs and other non-EDI documents, extracts the data and passes it into your systems automatically.
Read the SMEG case study
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
OpenText EDI Explained: common questions
What is OpenText EDI?
OpenText is an established global provider of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), B2B integration and supply chain automation through its OpenText Trading Grid platform, formerly the GXS EDI network. OpenText's EDI resources, including its EDI Basics website, 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 international supply chains.
Is Transalis an alternative to OpenText EDI?
Yes. Transalis OpenEDI offers businesses a modern, fully managed enterprise EDI alternative to OpenText, combining global connectivity, AI data extraction with Transalis DataDNA and EDI Managed Outcomes. With extensive experience migrating businesses from OpenText/GXS and other competing EDI providers, and processing over 30 million transactions annually, Transalis combines international scale, modern automation and dedicated personal service.
Can I switch from OpenText to Transalis without disrupting my business?
Yes. Businesses can migrate from OpenText 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.
Does Transalis support UK and European EDI standards?
Yes. For businesses trading across the UK and Europe, Transalis brings extensive experience supporting regional EDI standards, including UK TRADACOMS and European EANCOM, alongside international EDIFACT and ANSI X12 requirements.
How does Transalis compare with OpenText?
The Transalis vs. OpenText comparison sets out Transalis products, services and capabilities against 10 key EDI criteria, and you score OpenText 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 OpenText 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.