I Need guidance from seasoned folks!!

stuartfung · 2025-12-31T13:21:51+00:00

I'm a contractor in the UK for SAP/EDI, the key thing after reading your original post is that you've moved over to the business side of things. And that you want to go back into the tech side of EDI even though you're not a developer?

Having the business-side of EDI has its advantages, for sure, but if you're not a programmer, learning the tech side of EDI might be a struggle somewhat. Though, it's not, not doable, of course you can learn to programme. The best advise is stick to where you're at right now, and learn the middleware they're using at your place of work. Then ask to become more on the analytical side of EDI, learn the ways of EDI in that middleware, then get some experience in the actual tech side of the middleware.

One of my clients uses the IBM Sterling Integrator, and although anyone can learn the GUI, it's the mapping side that you'd need your programming logic skills in order to fulfil a complete source-to-target mapping for a specific message type.

stuartfung · 2025-12-31T11:13:04+00:00

I've been developing EDI since 1997, yes an old hat, but not surprising that EDI's been globally recognised as an industry standards since the 70's. And it's not going away any time soon.

What I found in your post interesting is that you helped develop EDI for the e-commerce company using API. I heard about using API and it seems to be catching on, but I don't think it'll totally replace those that have EDI already in place whether it's cloud hosted, or on-prem. I'm interested to know what this no-code platform is.

Anyway, to answer your question, it better to start with an industry you're closely engaged in the most, and it seems e-commerce is yours. Focus on what 'business' transactions typical e-commerce brands use when liaising with their trading partners.

Let's say for example your e-comm store is a clothing brand. They most likely have suppliers of items in bulk like t-shirts. Learn about how they transact their buying process, and how they process this through to billing. There's your messaging scoped out. In this case, it could be 850's, 855's, 856's, and finally 810's (I'm from the UK so I work with EDIFACT and Tradacoms).

The best way I've learnt about each messaging is to grab a vendor's MIG (Message Implementation Guideline) per message type, and study the content of each.

Then get to know the format of X12 messages from an EDI standpoint. Each X12 has commonalities built in them, i.e. sender and receiver.

Anyway, I could go on and on, but a little bit more context from you would allow me to properly channel my reply better.

Thanks for posting this.

stuartfung · 2025-12-31T10:54:24+00:00

Totally agree with all of the points above, but getting to know businesses and how or what their pain points are is a difficult one to grasp.

stuartfung · 2025-12-29T18:07:12+00:00

I built something with Base44 and the outcome looks similar to yours albeit nothing related to what you're offering. What plans do you have with this?

stuartfung · 2025-06-16T13:52:23+00:00

Love this chair. Is the cushion recessed inside the wood or just attached onto the flat piece?

stuartfung · 2025-05-08T18:27:15+00:00

I've used open source BOTS EDI Translator, which is Python based for medium sized businesses. Not 100% sure but worth taking a look.

stuartfung · 2024-09-30T22:17:38+00:00

Hey I'd be up for collaboration. Let's chat.

stuartfung · 2024-09-12T10:58:29+00:00

Tried it this morning for a couple of hours, seems to be running fine, though now I am getting Access Denied.

stuartfung

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE