00:00:00 — Introduction

Hey everybody, Jim Gonzalez here from EDI Support LLC.

Today we’re talking about how to run EDI testing without losing your mind.

00:00:56 — Why EDI Testing Feels Frustrating

EDI testing depends on:

• The industry
• The trading partner
• Third-party testing platforms

If testing is generic, it will create problems.

00:01:32 — The Problem with Generic Testing

Many retail companies use SPS testing portals.

These are convenient, but they often rely on generic rules that don’t match real workflows.

00:02:10 — Start with Your Team

Before testing begins:

• Identify who will validate data
• Understand your business process
• Assign ownership

Testing is not just technical, it requires business validation.

00:02:48 — Know Who You’re Testing With

Ask:

• Are testers using generic requirements?
• Do they understand your business model?

Generic testing creates unnecessary complexity.

00:03:22 — Align Testing with Real Scenarios

Define:

• Drop ship vs wholesale
• Order flows
• Shipping structures
• Claims or billing workflows

Testing should reflect real business interactions.

00:05:22 — Real-World Example: Costco Testing

Even if your provider has experience:

• You still go through testing
• Requirements are often generic
• You may need exceptions

Testing is not automatically passed.

00:07:36 — Passing Testing Doesn’t Mean You’re Ready

You may pass initial testing but still fail in production due to:

• Missing data
• Incorrect assumptions
• Misaligned workflows

00:08:07 — Define Testing Scope Early

Clarify:

• Required documents
• What you can and cannot support
• Exceptions and exclusions

00:09:17 — Testing Requires Planning

You need to:

• Define processes
• Assign responsibilities
• Build timelines

Testing is not a last-minute activity.

00:10:35 — Manual vs Integrated Testing

Understand:

• Are you testing manually?
• Or testing full ERP integration?

True testing should reflect real operations.

00:11:15 — Delays from Poor Feedback

Testing slows down when:

• Feedback is unclear
• Errors are not explained
• Documents disappear into queues

00:12:24 — Common Bottlenecks

• Manual file handling
• No automation
• Slow iteration cycles
• Missing requirements

00:12:58 — Example of Changing Requirements

Testing may evolve:

• New document scenarios
• Additional requirements
• Unexpected edge cases

You must gather requirements upfront.

00:14:01 — Missing Data Issues

Check if your system supports:

• Required fields
• Data structures
• Business rules

Otherwise, customization may be needed.

00:15:18 — Risks of Manual Workarounds

Manually altering EDI data during testing leads to:

• Production failures
• System mismatches

Always test using real system capabilities.

00:15:54 — Ownership and Coordination

You must define:

• Internal responsibilities
• Provider responsibilities
• Trading partner roles

00:16:38 — Version Control and System Changes

Watch for:

• Map changes
• ERP upgrades
• Data resets

These can reset your progress.

00:17:13 — Visibility Matters

You need:

• Clear error logs
• Human-readable messages
• Real-time alerts

Without visibility, testing stalls.

00:18:25 — AI Limitations in Testing

AI cannot fully replace testing because:

• Too many variables
• Multiple parties involved
• Business-specific logic

00:18:56 — Unrealistic Timelines

You cannot onboard multiple partners quickly without:

• • Preparation
  • Coordination
  • Defined processes

00:19:27 — Final Advice

Plan everything before testing begins:

• Internal setup
• External dependencies
• Roles and ownership

You are the key to making testing successful.