Not always, but most Sage 100 companies use one. Trading partners that provide an SFTP or FTP mailbox can be connected directly, without a VAN. A VAN handles AS2, the method Walmart and many large retailers require, so you don't need any AS2 software of your own. EDI Advantage, Kissinger Associates' EDI software for Sage 100, works with any VAN and handles direct SFTP and FTP connections too. You can use a different method for each trading partner, and for most Sage 100 companies, Kissinger recommends a VAN.
The method doesn't change how your team works. Orders still arrive in Sage 100 as sales orders, and ASNs and invoices still go out from Sage 100.
EDI Advantage works with all three, and you can use a different method for each trading partner. Kissinger supports whichever you choose.
Kissinger recommends a VAN in about 9 out of 10 cases, and typically recommends Commport. One connection to the VAN reaches all your trading partners, and the VAN keeps those connections running, so you don't need networking staff to watch them.
A direct AS2 connection, without a VAN, can make sense when your volume or a trading partner's requirements justify it. It takes AS2 server software running on your own network, which your IT team looks after day to day. Kissinger works with your team to set it up and get each trading partner approved, and we'll help you weigh that upkeep against the VAN fees it saves.
VAN pricing reflects your document volume, including documents the VAN delivers to partners over AS2 or SFTP on your behalf. Direct connections avoid VAN fees but need ongoing upkeep from your IT team. EDI Advantage itself has no per-document or per-transaction fees, whichever method you use.
Already using a VAN? EDI Advantage works with whichever VAN you use today, including SPS Commerce, so you don't have to change networks to bring EDI into Sage 100.
Whichever connection you choose, Kissinger's US-based team of Sage 100 EDI specialists:
- Sets up EDI Advantage with your VAN, or works with your IT team to set up direct connections
- Tests with each trading partner until you're approved for production
- Updates your setup when a trading partner changes its requirements
- Supports you by phone and email after go-live
Sage 100 companies count on Kissinger for EDI that works and a team that's there when they need help.
“Because the orders flow right into Sage 100 without any hands touching it, there is nothing to get lost. When I was assigned EDI management responsibilities, I thought the EDI Advantage modules were part of Sage 100. These modules don’t look or feel like third party products – the EDI products look exactly like Sage 100!“
“Many times with the other EDI solutions, their capacity is very limited. Kissinger’s EDI Advantage not only has the capacity our customers need, but the ease of use which is so important as well. We don’t want to spend months doing complex programming when our customers need fast, efficient, and effective solutions. Plus, the level of support that Kissinger provides is absolutely the best in the industry.”
“The other guys did demos for us, but we just thought the process with EDI Advantage was simpler, and it really has been great. It just works the way it’s supposed to work. We needed it to be an easy process for our customer service person to use, and we wanted a smooth integration into sales order. Those were the two keys and EDI Advantage delivers on both. And working with Kissinger is great – they go above and beyond, and they’re always there to help us out when we need something. We definitely made the right choice.”
“The process began to make sense when I started to talk to Kissinger. What I learned was…there are three ways to transmit this information. Not paying transaction fees by using, instead of a VAN, using an AS2 connection or using FTP seemed to be the best bet, which is what marries well with Sage 100. This is a product Kissinger has been involved in for many years. We were impressed with that.“
“With 30% of our orders coming through GHX, being able to fully automate all of these orders has had an incredible impact. We went from an extensive manual process to now having a fully touchless process. This has saved us at least 40 hours of work a week, freeing up our team to focus on other revenue-generating tasks.”
“I used to have to input everything manually. It’s a huge time-saver and our customers are more satisfied. Everyone at Kissinger is easy to work with. They understood our needs and created an integrated solution that gives us exactly what we wanted”.
Not always, but Kissinger recommends one for most companies. A VAN keeps your trading partner connections running for you. A VAN also handles AS2 for partners that require it, such as Walmart, so you don't need separate AS2 software. Connecting directly avoids VAN fees, but your IT team needs to keep the connection running.
AS2 is a secure way to send EDI over the internet. A VAN is a service that delivers EDI between you and your trading partners, and it often uses AS2 to reach them. You can use AS2 through a VAN, or set up your own direct AS2 connection to a partner.
Yes. EDI Advantage can use a different connection method for each trading partner. Most companies use a VAN for all of them.
Yes. SPS Commerce works as a VAN, and EDI Advantage works with any VAN, so you can keep SPS as your network and handle EDI inside Sage 100 with EDI Advantage.
Kissinger typically recommends Commport, but EDI Advantage works with any VAN.
No. Whichever method you use, orders arrive as Sage 100 sales orders, and ASNs and invoices go out from Sage 100.
Talk with a Kissinger EDI specialist. We'll look at your trading partners and volume, recommend the right mix of VAN and direct connections, and help you set it up.
“These modules don’t look or feel like third party products – the EDI products look exactly like Sage 100!”
— Deann Palacio, Food For Life
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