Key Takeaways
- You can switch away from SPS Commerce without disrupting your orders, if you follow a phased, partner-by-partner migration and maintain visibility every step of the way.
- The biggest risks in switching are mapping or partner testing failures, hidden exit/enter fees, and not having a support plan for “what happens next”.
- Choosing a modern managed-service EDI platform like Elevate, gives you speed, flexibility, no long contracts, and real human support versus the legacy “set it and forget it” model.
Why Do Companies Like Yours Want to Move on from SPS Commerce?
SPS Commerce has long been a market leader for suppliers trading with big retailers. But smaller and mid-market companies often get ignored and face issues such as high costs, slow onboarding, limited self-service flexibility, and rigid contracts.
The reason you have landed or are reading this article is because you’ve felt stuck with long wait times for new partners, delayed communication and EDI testing, uncertainty about fees, or lack of visibility into your EDI operations. These are common pain points for small and mid-sized businesses. We are not saying this but our consulting clients that come to us seeking help to fix their long existing issues with SPS and reddit threads say it all.
Why Switching to a Modern Managed Service Provider Matters?
Legacy full-service EDI providers often mean you’re locked into contract, escalations for every change, slow response times and large “hidden” add-on fees. By switching from a legacy solution like SPS Commerce to a modern managed-service EDI platform like Elevate you get:
- Transparent and predictable pricing: clear one-time setup + low monthly + per-document pricing with no hidden mapping or partner-add fees.
- Faster onboarding: typical go-live for small/mid companies can be days instead of weeks.
- Real human support with SLA coverage, not just a ticket queue.
- Flexibility: ability to start small (one trading partner) and scale without penalty.
- Complete visibility: real-time monitoring and full partner-compliance handling.
The EDI Migration Strategy You Should Adopt
To switch from SPS Commerce, you must pen down a clear migration strategy without cancelling your subscription or services with them first. It is important your document flow is not interrupted as you plan to migrate to a different EDI provider. Follow a step-by-step EDI migration strategy as below to make it a successful project.
1) Begin with a clear migration strategy
1.1 Inventory your current state
- List all your trading partners currently through SPS: which ones, which document types (POs, ASNs, Invoices), which protocols (AS2, SFTP, VAN).
- Review your SPS contract: renewal dates, automatic extensions, termination conditions, any “add-partner” fees or mapping fee clauses.
1.2 Choose the right new provider
When evaluating a new provider ask:
- Can they handle your current partners and protocols without you having to rebuild everything?
- Are fees transparent (one-time setup, monthly platform fee, per-document fee) versus hidden “map update” or “new partner” surcharges?
- How fast is onboarding and how much control do you have?
- What is the support model- ticket only, or real human support with SLA?
A modern platform like EDI Elevate emphasizes transparency, speed and flexibility.
We are providing the full guide on how to choose the right EDI provider and team for your business to read per your convenience.
1.3 Map & migrate in phases
- Use your trading partner list as a migration roadmap. Start with a low-volume, low-risk partner as a pilot.
- Do mapping and testing in parallel with the old system where possible (dual running).
- Make sure the new provider has tested your partner’s specs (APIs, VAN, AS2 etc.).
- Set a go-live date for each partner and maintain communication to the partner accordingly.
We are providing a detailed guide on the importance of phased migration and how to add new trading partners for you to read at your convenience.
1.4 Go-Live & monitor closely
- Don’t shut down the old system until you’ve confirmed the new provider is successfully processing your documents (POs, ASNs, Invoices) with no errors.
- Set up alerts/monitoring for rejections, missing acknowledgments, failed communications.
- Maintain detailed logs for the first few weeks. This avoids chargebacks and ensures smooth transition.
Important note: Keep in mind, it is the responsibility of your new EDI provider to help you move all trading partners first, test all documents and then let you know when to terminate services with SPS Commerce.
1.5 Post-Migration Clean-Up
- Decommission the old system/mappings once you’re confident.
- Review actual costs vs the previous provider (setup, monthly, per document).
- Train your internal team on the new workflow and update your internal processes (who handles exceptions, who monitors partner changes).
- Capture lessons learned and update your future partner-onboarding playbook.
Complete SPS Commerce Migration Plan Checklist
- Pre-Migration Checklist (Before You Cancel SPS)
This checklist should help you to prepare for migration by making sure nothing falls through the cracks before cancelling your SPS Commerce subscription and services. Get ready to work through this checklist with your new EDI provider:
- Export current mappings, transaction logs, partner specs.
- Download compliance documentation from SPS.
- Inform key trading partners early (some require notice before testing with a new provider).
- Review your SPS contract for termination windows and renewal clauses.
- Identify “critical partners” that must stay live during transition.
- Detailed Migration Timeline Example
Work with your new EDI provider to put a migration timeline in place and make sure they stick to the schedule. Here is a sample schedule you can use.
| Phase | Key Activities | Responsible | Duration |
| Week 1 | Discovery, Partner List, Contract Review | Internal | 3–5 days |
| Week 2 | Data Export & New Provider Setup | Provider + Internal | 5–7 days |
| Week 3 | Partner Testing (Pilot) | Provider + Partners | 5 days |
| Week 4 | Phase 1 Go-Live | Provider | 2 days |
| Week 5–6 | Phase 2 Migration + Validation | Provider + Partners | 1–2 weeks |
This visual timeline not only helps both teams stay aligned but you can track and hold the EDI provider accountable in case they don’t meet the timeline.
- Communication Template (for Retailer Partners)
Here is a sample email you can use to let your retail customers or trading partners know that you are migrating to a different EDI provider.
Subject: Notice of EDI Provider Change — [Your Company Name]
Body:
Hi [Trading Partner Name/EDI Contact],
I hope you're doing well.
We wanted to inform you that [Your Company Name] is transitioning to a new EDI provider, [New Provider Name, e.g., Elevate by EDI Support LLC], effective [Trading Partner Go-Live Date].
This change is part of our effort to improve transaction speed, visibility, and reliability across all document exchanges with our trading partners, including your team.
Please note:
Our EDI identifiers (ISA/GS IDs) will remain the same unless otherwise specified.
Document types (e.g., 850, 855, 856, 810, 997) will continue as currently implemented.
Communication protocol (e.g., AS2, SFTP, VAN) will remain unchanged unless discussed during testing.
To ensure a smooth transition, our EDI team and [New Provider Name] will reach out to your EDI department to begin coordination and schedule testing.
We will continue to process transactions through our current provider until the new connection is fully validated, ensuring no disruption to live transactions.
Please direct all EDI-related communications regarding this transition to:
📧 [EDI Contact Email Address]
đź“ž [EDI Support Phone Number]
We appreciate your cooperation during this brief transition window and look forward to maintaining seamless business operations together.
Thank you for your continued partnership,
Warm regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company Name]
[Email] | [Phone]
- Switch-Readiness Scorecard
Here is a mini self-assessment that you can take to determine if you are ready to switch EDI providers:
- Do you have export access to all mappings?
- Do you know your renewal window with SPS?
- Have you identified the top 3 partners to migrate first?
- Do you have internal staff who understand your document flow?
- Risk Mitigation Plan
- Keep SPS live until all critical partners are validated.
- Run dual EDI for 2–4 weeks.
- Set monitoring alerts on both systems.
Verify acknowledgments (997s) and ASNs post-cutover.
How to Cancel SPS Commerce Services?
Once you have all the above steps figured out, use this step by step process on how to cancel SPS Commerce services as taken from their website. See below.
Step 1: Log in to SPS Commerce
- Log in to the SPS Commerce Platform here with your registered login details.
Step 2: Access the Cancellation Form
- Once logged in, click the Help icon in the upper-right corner.
- Under Billing & Payment Inquiries, select Cancellation Form.
- Please note, you’ll need your customer number.
Step 3: Complete the Form
- Indicate which products or services you’d like to cancel.
- If applicable, specify the trading partners associated with your cancellation.
- Completing the form ensures accurate adjustments to your service.
Common Pitfalls During EDI Migration (and how to avoid them)
- Rolling out all partners at once – this maximizes risk. Instead, prioritize low-risk partners first and work in waves.
- Ignoring your old contract – termination clauses, auto-renewals, partner-add fees can cost you. Understand it before switching.
- Choosing another solution that replicates the same legacy limitations – if the new provider has slow support, unclear fees, or long onboarding, you’re swapping one pain for another.
- Not accounting for partner requirement changes – retailers often update their EDI specs; ensure your new provider handles it as part of service.
Final Thoughts
Switching from SPS Commerce doesn’t have to feel like an all-out migration battle. With the right planning, the right partner and the right method, you can keep your orders flowing, avoid surprises and gain real flexibility for growth.
If you’re tired of slow onboarding, unclear contracts or locked-in pricing, now might be the right moment to evaluate what modern managed-service EDI solutions offer (including platforms built for businesses like yours).
Ready to explore? Consider comparing your current setup, draft your migration plan and find a provider who treats EDI like a business enabler, not a burden.
FAQs
A: Not if you follow a phased migration plan and keep your existing system active until the new one is fully verified. The key is pilot one partner, validate transactions, switch rest gradually.
A: Historical documents may be accessible depending on your contract, but you’ll likely need to re-map partner specs in the new platform. Always export your partner mappings and document logs before transition.
A: For a company with one to three trading partners and standard document types (850, 856, 810) you might be live in 1-2 weeks. For 10-20 partners, expect 8-10 weeks if well planned and depends on how all trading partners respond.
A: Partner-addition fees, mapping updates, per-document surcharges, early termination or automatic renewal penalties, and consulting hours for modifications. Ask for a full cost breakdown from your new provider.
A: Yes. Choose a managed-service provider like EDI Support LLC and its cloud platform Elevate that handles mapping, testing, monitoring on your behalf, so your team stays focused on running the business, not managing EDI.
A: Your provider should monitor partner requirement changes and update your mapping or process as part of your contract. Make sure you get that in writing to avoid surprise charges.
A: When you’re a startup small or mid-market business looking for EDI that’s simpler, more cost-accessible, and designed for rapid growth, Elevate could be a better solution for you. Most importantly, if your business is seeking to adopt EDI without over-investing, you want to get live quickly, and you prefer a platform that grows with you rather than demands you immediately operate at enterprise scale, Elevate stands out as a strong alternative to SPS Commerce. Learn more about the differences in the two solutions here: https://edielevate.com/elevate-vs-sps-commerce/