EDI in Load Manager: What It Is and How to Get Started

Before You Use This Article

• Access needed: EDI enabled on your Load Manager account. If you do not see the option, it may not be enabled for your account.
• Best starting path: Start from Freight Brokers, Carriers, Owner-Operators, and Trucking Companies, or Dispatch Services.
• If this is not your setup: If you do not use this integration or feature, return to your company path: Freight Brokers, Carriers, Owner-Operators, and Trucking Companies, or Dispatch Services.

EDI, or Electronic Data Interchange, lets Load Manager exchange load and billing information electronically with a customer's system. It is most often used when a shipper or 3PL wants load tenders, shipment status updates, or invoices to move between systems without manual entry.

This article explains what EDI does in Load Manager, when it is useful, and what information is normally needed to begin setup.

What EDI Can Do

EDI can support several parts of the load workflow, depending on what your customer requires and what has been configured for your account.

• EDI 204 - Load Tender: A customer sends a load tender to Load Manager so the load can be created from the electronic tender.
• EDI 990 - Tender Response: Load Manager can send an acceptance or rejection response for the tender.
• EDI 214 - Shipment Status Update: Load Manager can send shipment status or location updates back to the customer as the load progresses.
• EDI 210 / EDI 810 - Invoice: Load Manager can send invoice information electronically when the customer's billing process requires it.

When EDI Is a Good Fit

EDI is usually helpful when a customer sends a high volume of loads, requires electronic compliance, or wants status and invoice information delivered directly into their system.

EDI setup normally makes sense when:

• A customer requires EDI as part of doing business with them.
• You receive repeat load tenders from the same shipper or 3PL.
• Your team wants to reduce manual load entry for EDI-enabled customers.
• Your customer needs automated shipment status updates or electronic invoices.

What You Need Before Setup

EDI setup requires coordination between your company, Load Manager, and the customer's EDI or IT contact. Before setup begins, gather the following information:

• The customer's name and main business contact.
• The customer's EDI or IT contact information.
• The transaction types the customer requires, such as 204, 990, 214, 210, or 810.
• The customer's EDI specifications or implementation guide.
• Any testing requirements or certification steps required by the customer.

How Setup Works

1. Contact Load Manager Support and let us know which customer you want to connect through EDI.
2. Provide the customer's EDI specifications and contact information.
3. Load Manager reviews the requested transaction types and confirms the setup path.
4. Load Manager coordinates mapping, testing, and validation with the trading partner.
5. After testing is complete, the EDI workflow is activated for the customer.

EDI setup can take several weeks because it depends on trading partner requirements, mapping, testing, and certification. Timing varies by customer and by the transaction types being implemented.

Where to Check EDI Activity

After EDI is active, use the EDI Log to review transaction activity.

1. Go to Logs.
2. Select EDI Log.
3. Use the EDI Type filters to review 204, 990, 214, or 210 / 810 activity.
4. Review the Load #, BOL #, Doc Type, Action, Customer, and Date / Time columns.

Customer-Level EDI Settings

Some outbound EDI messages must also be enabled on the customer profile. If a customer should receive shipment status updates or electronic invoices, open the customer record and confirm the appropriate EDI options are selected.

• Send EDI 214: Enables outbound shipment status updates for that customer.
• Send EDI 810: Enables outbound electronic invoicing for that customer.

If these options are not enabled for the customer, outbound EDI messages may not generate for that customer even when the overall EDI integration is active.

Related Articles

• Check EDI 214 Location Update Compliance in Logs
• Load Screen Overview
• Your Customer Portal Overview