EDI-BROKER

The commercial-technical intermediary aggregating retail flows.

Definition

Model: the broker (SPS Commerce, TrueCommerce, EDI Pro) signs a contract with a retailer (Walmart, Target, Best Buy), then sells access to the hundreds of suppliers wanting to sell there. The broker handles mappings, conformity tests, VAN charges. Different from a translator (which does not aggregate).

Origin

Model appearing in the 1990s in the US with Walmart imposing EDI on all suppliers.

Example in context

A pasta supplier signing with SPS Commerce to access Whole Foods, Kroger and Costco under a single contract.

Related terms

• Trading partner — commercial partner of the broker.