What is EDI in the fashion industry.
The fashion industry is changing rapidly. New collections, short delivery times, and changing customer demand require speed and accurate communication. Yet many brands, retailers, and POS suppliers still work with manual order processing, separate Excel files, and emails. This costs time and money and leads to errors.
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is the solution for the fashion industry. With EDI integration, you can automatically exchange orders, invoices, stock levels, and product data between systems, without manual intervention. At Latest Collection, we link this technology to the daily practices of brands and retailers, ensuring smooth and scalable collaboration.
EDI ensures that all parties in the chain, from brand to cash register system, work with exactly the same data. No double entry, no delays, no noise.
Why EDI is essential for the fashion industry.
The fashion chain is unique: seasonal collections, thousands of SKUs, varying sizes, colors, and suppliers. That is precisely why EDI has become indispensable in fashion. It fully automates communication between brands, retailers, and suppliers.
With Electronic Data Interchange, data is shared in real time. Orders are received directly in the ERP or POS system, stock levels are updated automatically, and price changes are immediately reflected in the right place.
Meaning:
- Faster order processing: No delays due to manual entry.
- Better collaboration: Everyone works with the same up-to-date information.
- Fewer errors: No typos or incorrect item codes.
- Lower costs: Fewer administrative hours, fewer corrections.
- More sustainable process: Less paper, fewer transport errors, fewer returns.
How does EDI integration work at Latest Collection.
Latest Collection is all about uniformity and ease of use. Our platform acts as middleware between brands, POS suppliers, and retailers.
1. The connection
A brand supplies its product data via Excel, CSV, API, or an existing EDI connection. Latest Collection translates this information into our uniform data structure, so that all connected parties receive the same information.
2. The exchange
Orders, deliveries, and invoices are exchanged via standardized EDI messages:
- PRICAT: price and item information
- ORDRSP: order confirmation
- DESADV: dispatch advice note
- SLSRPT: sales report
- INVRPT: inventory report
Every message is automatically validated, tested, and released. No more manual checks needed.
3. Processing
Retailers receive the data directly in their POS system or ERP. As soon as an item is sold, the sales data is automatically sent back to the brand via EDI. This creates a closed data chain, from production to the sales floor.
The Benefits of EDI integration for Brands.
For brands, Electronic Data Interchange not only means convenience, but also growth opportunities.
- Complete control over article data: You decide which information is shared and with whom.
- Faster time-to-market: New collections are available in stores and online stores faster.
- Fewer manual errors: Item information is entered only once.
- Improved replenishment: Real-time sales data lets you know exactly which stores need restocking.
- More efficient collaboration with retailers: One source of truth for all product information.
Electronic Data Interchange turns data into a strategic tool: you know what sells, where and when.
The Benefits of EDI integration for Brands.
For retailers, speed and accuracy are paramount. Every day a collection isn't live costs revenue.
With Electronic Data Interchange via Latest Collection you benefit from:
- 80% faster order entry: Orders are processed automatically.
- 60% faster item entry: Items are immediately prepared in the POS system.
- Fewer returns: Because product information is always correct.
In addition, better collaboration with brands is created: updates, price changes or new articles are processed immediately.
The benefits of EDI integration for POS suppliers and resellers.
EDI makes cash register systems smarter. By integrating with Latest Collection, you add value to your own software.
- Automated data flows: No more separate imports or manual uploads for your customers.
- Uniform data: All brands in one standardized format.
- New propositions: Offer customers direct access to +950 brands.
- Faster implementation: Demos with up-to-date brand data within minutes.
As a Reseller you can distinguish yourself as a data-driven partner instead of just a software supplier.
EDI and BI: data insight as a growth accelerator.
The power of Electronic Data Interchange extends beyond automation. Because sales data flows back to brands via EDI, it creates a valuable source of information that provides deep insight into collection performance. Combined with Latest Collection's BISS Business Intelligence Sales System, brands can see exactly which items are selling best, which stores are performing above or below the benchmark, and where replenishment is needed. With these insights, you no longer manage by gut feeling, but by facts, and make data-driven decisions that directly contribute to growth and profitability.
EDI for growing brands: scalable & future-proof.
Electronic Data Interchange is no longer just for large organizations. Thanks to Latest Collection's flexible EDI integration, even growing brands can benefit from automation without major IT projects.
You start simply, for example, with a single message type (like PRICAT or DESADV), and expand later. Our platform scales with your brand, whether you're in ten stores or a thousand.
We also support brands with onboarding: from setup to training. This way, you get quick results without any technical knowledge.
Cost savings through EDI integration.
Manual data entry takes time. And time is money. Electronic Data Interchange eliminates a significant portion of that administrative burden. Automating data exchange eliminates countless manual tasks, such as processing orders, correcting errors, or reconciling data between departments. This means less administrative burden, fewer corrections, and a more efficient workflow. Brands that integrate EDI save an average of between thirty and fifty percent in operational hours, while reducing order errors by more than eighty percent. EDI is therefore not only a technological advancement but also a direct cost saving that pays for itself quickly.
Sustainable collaboration in the fashion chain.
Digitization isn't just about efficiency; it's also about sustainability. By applying Electronic Data Interchange in fashion, paper packing slips, manual orders, and duplicate shipments are eliminated from the process. This leads to reduced paper and printing usage, fewer transport movements, and fewer returns because data is processed accurately. Moreover, Electronic Data Interchange strengthens relationships between brands, resellers, and retailers. Fewer misunderstandings, faster communication, and reliable data together form the foundation for sustainable and future-proof collaboration throughout the entire supply chain.
Latest Collection's EDI approach.
At Latest Collection, we believe simplicity is the key to successful digitalization. That's why we've designed our EDI approach to be accessible to every brand, regardless of size or technical expertise. We start with a thorough inventory of existing data flows and systems. Next, we analyze data quality and determine the desired message structures. Afterward, we work with the brand to build a secure test environment where all message exchanges are validated. Once everything is stable, we provide practical user training, after which the integration goes live. Even after implementation, Latest Collection continues to actively monitor and optimize. The result is a stable, accurate, and scalable integration that supports the entire organization.
Flexibility for every party in the chain.
No two businesses in the fashion industry operate the same, which is precisely why Latest Collection's EDI integration is flexible and adaptable. The system seamlessly integrates with existing ERP solutions such as Softwear, ACA, Mplus, Qliqpoint, Lightspeed, and SRS, and supports all common data formats, including EDIFACT, XML, CSV, and API. International standards are also fully supported. This allows Latest Collection to serve as a central hub where all data flows converge, regardless of the technology used or the company's scale.
From EDI to uniformity.
EDI is the engine behind uniform data, but its true power lies in its combination with Latest Collection's data platform. While EDI handles the technical exchange of messages, Latest Collection guarantees the substantive quality of that data. Think of accurate product information, high-quality images, accurate descriptions, and current prices. By combining these elements, a single, integrated ecosystem is created in which all links in the fashion industry, from brand to checkout, work with the same reliable data. This not only makes processes more efficient but also strengthens brand consistency, customer satisfaction, and commercial effectiveness for everyone in the chain.
Built for Fashion. Designed for You.
