As the food industry moves rapidly toward enhanced food traceability, which includes meeting the requirements the FSMA 204 final rule, some of the largest retailers and wholesalers are demanding that food traceability data be transmitted via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), specifically in the ASN 856 format. Unfortunately, many smaller suppliers are caught off guard: they either lack EDI capabilities altogether or struggle to meet the varied and complex requirements from each customer.

With more than 25 years’ experience in electronic data exchange, ReposiTrak is stepping in to bridge that gap for traceability data exchange and other data needs. Acting as a “universal data translator,” ReposiTrak works directly with suppliers to take in the necessary data in its existing format, and then delivers the data to the retailer or wholesaler in the exact format required.

EDI Isn’t Enough – And It’s Often Expensive

“Many suppliers assume EDI is a complete traceability solution, but in reality, it’s just a delivery mechanism,” said Randy Fields, chairman and CEO of ReposiTrak. “EDI doesn’t check the quality of the data or ensure it meets each retailer’s specific needs. That’s where we come in.”

The challenges with EDI go far beyond setup. Traceability data sent via EDI is often riddled with errors, which typical EDI systems aren’t designed to detect or correct. Adding to the complexity, different retailers and wholesalers require different data sets. That makes it difficult for suppliers to keep up – especially when errors can lead to costly delays, fines, or even disruption of business relationships.

To make matters worse, many traditional EDI VANs charge for their services based on data volume, so the more a supplier ships, the more they pay. For high-volume shippers, those costs can quickly become unsustainable.

ReposiTrak Delivers a Smarter, Simpler EDI Solution

ReposiTrak offers an EDI-compatible solution that removes the complexity and eliminates the volume-based pricing. Suppliers submit their traceability data once, in a single format, and ReposiTrak handles the rest, delivering the data to retailers in the specific format each requires.

“Our approach is different,” continued Fields. “Suppliers send us their traceability data using the process that’s easiest for them, and we validate it using a 500+ point error detection process. We help them to fix any issues before the data is transmitted, ensuring retailers get the most complete, accurate and compliant traceability records possible.”

Unlike traditional EDI providers, ReposiTrak’s pricing model is simple: a low, flat fee that is not based on shipment volume. That makes it easier for suppliers of all sizes to meet traceability requirements without breaking the bank.

“We’re not here to penalize suppliers for growing their business,” Fields added. “We’re here to help them succeed in this new traceability landscape.”

ReposiTrak helps nearly 1,000 trading partners today with data sharing through EDI and other flexible protocols.

Supported document types include:

• EDI formats: 214, 810, 812, 816, 820, 824, 832, 846, 850, 852, 855, 856, 860, 864, 875, 878, 879, 880, 888, 889, 894, 940, 997
• Non-EDI formats: CSV, XLSX, XML, JSON, Fixed-Length

To learn more about EDI services through ReposiTrak, contact Chief Customer Officer Derek Hannum at dhannum@repositrak.com.

About ReposiTrak

ReposiTrak (NYSE: TRAK) provides retailers, suppliers and wholesalers with a robust solution suite consisting of three product families: food traceability, compliance and risk management and supply chain solutions. ReposiTrak’s integrated, cloud-based applications are supported by an unparalleled team of experts. For more information, please visit www.repositrak.com.

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With more than 25 years’ experience in electronic data exchange, ReposiTrak is stepping in to bridge that gap for traceability data exchange and other data needs.