If you’re in IT, you’ve probably felt the tension: multiple ERPs speaking different languages, partner systems that refuse to integrate, and a business team asking for real-time insights, pronto. Add shifting compliance rules and a patchwork of legacy EDI mixed with new APIs, and suddenly every day turns into a scramble to keep things afloat. 

The good news is these challenges aren’t signs of failure. They’re signs it’s time to upgrade your integration strategy. Because B2B integration isn’t just about moving data. It’s about making all internal and external systems, and by extension your trading partners, work together collaboratively.  

Here are key challenges most IT leaders face today and ways to bridge supply chain gaps with B2B integration. 

End-to-end supply chain visibility  

Without real time visibility, companies can’t respond quickly to disruptions or demand shifts. Disconnected systems make it difficult to analyze supply chain performance and identify improvement opportunities.  

By connecting your ERP, whether its SAP S/4HANA, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Oracle Fusion, or Oracle NetSuite, with external trading partners via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), you gain real-time insights within your ERP of choice. You can see metrics for order status, inventory levels, and shipment tracking and enable predictive insights, performance benchmarking, and strategic planning based on accurate real-time data. 

Accelerated partner onboarding and collaboration 

Onboarding new suppliers or partners can be time-consuming and error-prone, especially when relying on manual processes. The right B2B integration solution automates partner onboarding with pre-configured templates and workflows that integrate directly with your ERP. This reduces onboarding time from weeks to days, ensuring faster time-to-value and more agile supply chain operations. 

Hybrid integration with EDI and APIs 

Many businesses operate in hybrid environments, with some partners using legacy EDI systems and others preferring modern APIs. B2B integration solutions that support both EDI and API, and align with your ERP, make supply chain collaboration smarter and smoother.  

This hybrid approach also ensures seamless data exchange across the supply chain, regardless of partner capabilities, making you AI-ready and better able to gain actionable insights from the information flowing through your supply chain in real-time.  

Compliance and risk mitigation 

Regulatory requirements around data security, tax compliance, and electronic invoicing are becoming more complex and region-specific. It’s important to consider how you and your technology partners handle B2B integration and e-invoicing to ensure compliance with global standards such as PEPPOL, GDPR, and other regulatory mandates, which continue to evolve otherwise you run the risk of non-compliance and penalties. 

Automation of Procure-to-Pay and Order-to-Cash 

Manual processes in procurement and order management lead to delays, errors, and increased operational costs. Look for B2B integration solutions that help automate procure-to-pay and order-to-cash cycles by integrating directly with your ERP, so you can reduce cycle times, improve accuracy, and enhance cash flow. This includes electronic purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, and payment confirmations. 

Scalability for growth and enhanced customer experience 

As your business grows, your integration needs become more complex, often outpacing the capabilities of in-house solutions. Customers also expect faster delivery, accurate order tracking, and responsive service.

Whether expanding into new markets or adding new partners, your technology partners need to be able to rapidly scale with you without disrupting existing operations and assist you in providing real-time order updates, proactive notifications, and faster issue resolution while boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty. 

Smarter supply chains start with OpenText 

As digital transformation accelerates, the need for intelligent, agile B2B integration only grows. OpenText stands at the forefront of this evolution, providing the tools and expertise needed to connect people, systems, and data across your business so you can connect, collaborate, and thrive in a cloud-first world.  

If you’re considering a partner to guide you through this integration journey, here’s why OpenText stands out: 

• Seamless orchestration: Our Business Network Cloud connects trading partners through secure, scalable B2B integration that enable the seamless exchange of orders, invoices, shipping documents, and more and also supports multiple formats and protocols that are required across today’s global supply chains. 

• Reliable expertise: With 40 years’ experience and flexible support options ranging from advisory services to do it yourself, OpenText™ B2B Integration lets you automate data exchanges, reduce manual EDI workflow intervention, and accelerate transaction cycles with improved data accuracy. We can also augment your in-house IT teams, taking over for your EDI manager with fully managed services if needed.  

• Ensured compliance: Stay ahead of compliance requirements, global e-invoicing mandates, and tax regulations with OpenText™ e-Invoicing that enables electronic invoice creation, validation, and submission across jurisdictions, helping you avoid penalties, chargebacks, and fees from non-compliance. 

Ready to build a more agile, resilient supply chain? Explore OpenText™ B2B Integration today. 

The post From disruption to agility: Solve supply chain with B2B integration  appeared first on OpenText Blogs.