Many companies rely on manual data entry for diverse document formats, due to a time-consuming integration. Leveraging LLMs to convert various file types into EDI-friendly formats, such as CSV, can streamline this process, with automation setup achievable in just one day, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
Only 8.4% of companies use EDI exclusively for all their purchase orders and demand forecasts, according to our survey of more than 200 supply chain professionals. The rest utilize a mix including EDI, API, uploading to an EDI interface, or manually entering data into an ERP system.
The low adoption of EDI is primarily due to its high cost, which is often not an option for mid-sized and small enterprises. The integration is also time-consuming, burdening already overwhelmed IT departments. As a result, many companies use manual effort to enter data into their ERP since these demand forecasts come in various formats—Excel spreadsheets, PDFs, SAP print screens, and more. Additionally, the structures of these documents differ significantly; some might include time frames like months or weeks without specifying exact dates. This variety represents a challenging obstacle to automation, thus requiring manual data entry into the ERP system, a process that is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors.
Intermediaries also encounter significant challenges when handling the diverse document formats from different enterprises. They have to convert these various documents to align with the specific requirements of each recipient while accurately extracting and processing the essential data. This process is complicated by the low volume but high variety of transactions, making automation difficult and costly. To make this process easier and to eliminate manual data entry, we can leverage AI and LLMs to turn all these different types of files/documents into an EDI-friendly file, for example CSV file.
Setting up an automation system can be completed in just one day, resulting in substantial time savings and improved efficiency. This quick implementation ensures that data is consistently organized and accurate. By automating repetitive tasks, businesses can redirect their focus towards more critical and strategic activities. The benefits include streamlined operations, enhanced productivity, and the ability to concentrate on tasks that drive growth and success, all achieved through a simple, rapid setup process.
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The extrakt.AI app can be utilized for transforming documents into CSV files and we can automate the process by getting the extractions sent directly to email. To automate the workflow, we can use RPA tools like Power Automate, ensuring that as soon as an email with an attachment is received, the CSV file is automatically saved directly to an EDI upload folder (e.g., SharePoint). You can see the whole process in the video below, but we have also provided a step-by-step guide here, as well as a .zip file with the steps, so you don’t have to do them manually, but can simply import them to Power Automate.
Now, let’s create an integration to convert these different types of documents into an EDI-friendly format, in our case a CSV file, which will be sent directly to your email.
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