EDI Developer or Full-Service EDI? Why Modern Businesses Choose Platforms Instead

Electronic data interchange (EDI) has been around for decades, and it’s still the backbone of supply chain communication. Every purchase order, invoice, and shipment notice needs to move between trading partners in a precise digital format. Traditionally, companies rely on EDI developers or programmers to keep those transactions flowing. But EDI developers are rare, expensive, and hard to keep on staff.

If your business is considering whether to dedicate a specialized team member to your EDI processes or invest in a full-service platform, the decision involves weighing cost, scalability, and long-term sustainability before making a final determination. This article compares the role of an EDI developer with what modern EDI platforms deliver, and shows why a robust API-first EDI solution like Orderful might just be what you're looking for.

What Does an EDI Developer Do?

An EDI developer, sometimes called an EDI programmer, is a technical specialist responsible for keeping EDI systems running smoothly. Their main job is to ensure that EDI transactions move seamlessly between your company and your trading partners.

On a day-to-day basis, they may build and maintain EDI maps that translate data between internal applications and external partners, test integrations with new trading partners, and troubleshoot issues when files fail or don’t comply with industry standards. They often work closely with business analysts and other team members to connect EDI workflows to ERP, WMS, or other existing systems.

Because many organizations still rely on legacy EDI platforms, developers play a key role in maintaining older infrastructure, conducting system testing, and ensuring the legacy system continues to align with business processes. However, this reliance also creates bottlenecks. Companies can become overly dependent on a single specialist for tasks that modern platforms now automate.

Key Responsibilities and Skills of an EDI Developer

The main duties of an EDI developer extend far beyond simply coding. These professionals need a mix of technical and business knowledge to make sure EDI systems integrate smoothly with existing applications and meet trading partner requirements. Strong analytical skills, solid knowledge of EDI standards, and the ability to collaborate with business stakeholders are essential.

Typical EDI developer skills include:

• Proficiency with mapping tools and programming languages like SQL and Java.

• Experience with communication protocols and web services used to transmit files securely.

• Attention to detail when preparing or reviewing technical documentation.

• Problem-solving skills to handle troubleshooting and system testing.

• Good communication skills for working with cross-functional teams and internal users.

Typical EDI Developer Responsibilities vs. Platform Alternative

Below is a side-by-side look at the work EDI developers perform compared to what a modern EDI platform like Orderful delivers.

This comparison highlights the reasons that many businesses are rethinking the need for a dedicated EDI coordinator or developer role. Modern EDI solutions can replicate and improve on most of these responsibilities while reducing the risk of bottlenecks and improving business agility.

Why EDI Developers Are Hard to Hire and Retain

On paper, an EDI developer job looks straightforward. Job descriptions usually include maintaining integrations, supporting trading partners, and keeping EDI transactions moving. In practice, finding and keeping the right candidate can be one of the toughest challenges for IT leaders.

However, EDI is a niche field, and many experienced developers who built their careers on legacy systems are now retiring. That leaves fewer professionals with the relevant experience and strong knowledge of industry standards like ANSI X12 or EDIFACT. New graduates in computer science or information technology programs rarely specialize in EDI, which means businesses often compete for the same small group of qualified candidates.

Even when companies do secure the ideal candidate, retention is another hurdle. Skilled developers are in high demand, and many get pulled into larger projects or promoted into roles that move them away from day-to-day EDI development. Others may move on due to the high expectations and demands of the role, like conducting system integrations, handling troubleshooting, onboarding new partners, and coordinating with other developers across the organization. This all results in high turnover, rising salary demands, and gaps in coverage that put business operations at risk.

The Cost of Hiring an EDI Developer vs. a Platform

For many companies, cost is often the deciding factor in whether to build in-house or invest in a platform. A full-time EDI developer may earn between $90,000 and $120,000 per year in the United States. Add benefits, training, and specialized tools, and the total annual investment is often far higher.

Costs of Hiring an EDI Developer:

• Salary and benefits averaging well into six figures.

• Additional expenses for mapping, testing, and monitoring software solutions.

• VAN fees, infrastructure, and IT resources for system upkeep.

• Recruiting and retraining if the developer leaves.

• Operational risk if projects stall or compliance errors occur.

Costs of Using a Full-Service EDI Platform:

• Predictable subscription pricing with no hidden overhead.

• Prebuilt mappings and automated testing reduce integration time.

• Cloud-based infrastructure eliminates maintenance costs.

• Flat pricing model supports scalability without additional headcount.

• Lower total cost of ownership compared to managing an in-house role.

You can alleviate some costs by outsourcing EDI, but relying on a third party often involves hidden fees, and it can interfere with your autonomy when it comes to considering additional implementations and other major decisions involving your information systems. Choosing a platform like Orderful shifts EDI from a high, unpredictable labor cost to a reliable operational expense that scales with your business.

When to Hire an EDI Developer

While modern EDI providers cover most integration needs, there are still situations where hiring a developer with the right expertise makes sense. These cases usually involve highly specialized or legacy environments where modern platforms can’t fully replace custom work.

Scenarios where an EDI developer may still be needed include:

• Legacy EDI development: Businesses running decades-old, on-prem systems that aren’t compatible with modern cloud platforms may need a developer to maintain EDI connections and keep transactions compliant.

• Custom ERP or WMS systems: If your organization relies on heavily customized back-office systems, a developer with a deep understanding of EDI may be necessary to script unique workflows, write specialized documentation, and manage complex implementation tasks.

• Specialized partner requirements: Some trading partners still use unique standards or custom file formats. A developer with the right relevant experience can build and implement one-off mappings that a platform may not yet support.

• Deep troubleshooting needs: When unexpected errors arise in older or nonstandard environments, an in-house developer can investigate, patch, and stabilize the system.

For most modern businesses, these scenarios are the exception. A full-service platform minimizes the need for custom coding while still allowing for specialized extensions if required.

Why Many Companies Choose a Modern EDI Platform Instead

The appeal of a modern EDI platform comes down to reducing complexity and freeing up resources. Instead of relying on developers to build maps, troubleshoot errors, and manage onboarding, businesses can tap into a cloud-based system that automates those tasks.

Modern EDI solutions, such as Orderful, are designed to support fast-growing organizations that need to move quickly. Prebuilt mappings allow you to onboard new trading partners in days instead of months. Automated validation prevents errors before they reach customers, while real-time dashboards improve visibility across your entire supply chain. This means your IT team spends less time putting out proverbial fires and more time driving strategic initiatives that move the business forward.

Collaboration is another key advantage. Modern platforms are built for cross-functional teams, making it easier for business analysts, developers, and other stakeholders to work from the same system. Instead of inconsistent documentation scattered across departments, everyone shares a single source of truth for business operations.

By offloading manual EDI development to a modern platform, you can streamline daily processes, improve adherence to business partner requirements, and scale without adding headcount. You get a more agile supply chain that supports growth rather than slowing your business down.

The Better Alternative to an EDI Developer

Hiring an EDI developer might seem like the logical move when your organization is struggling with integrations, partner onboarding, or failed transactions. But in-house EDI development often comes with high costs, limited scalability, and the risk of relying on a single specialist to manage critical operations.

Modern platforms like Orderful give you all the EDI capabilities without the overhead. Instead of piecing together custom code or juggling outdated software solutions, you gain a cloud-based system designed for fast, predictable implementation. Automated mapping, error validation, and real-time reporting mean your business can focus on growth rather than maintenance.

If your company is weighing the decision between adding another developer or investing in the future, the choice is clear. Choose a full-service platform that delivers more value, greater reliability, and faster time to revenue.

Contact an EDI expert today to find out what a modern platform can do for your team. Or book a demo and see how Orderful replaces manual development with streamlined automation.

FAQs About EDI Developers

What is an EDI developer?

An EDI developer is a technical specialist who builds, maintains, and troubleshoots electronic data interchange (EDI) systems. They ensure business documents like invoices, purchase orders, and shipping notices flow correctly between trading partners.

What skills does an EDI programmer need?

EDI programmers typically need strong mapping and integration skills, experience with EDI standards like ANSI X12 or EDIFACT, and knowledge of ERP or WMS systems. They also use scripting languages such as SQL or Java to support integrations and troubleshooting.

How much does an EDI developer cost to hire?

In the U.S., EDI developers typically earn between $90,000 and $120,000 annually. Total costs rise further when factoring in benefits, training, and specialized tools for mapping, monitoring, and VAN connectivity.

Should I hire an EDI developer or use an EDI provider?

Hiring an EDI developer makes sense if your business relies on legacy systems or has unique integration requirements. However, most modern companies prefer full-service platforms like Orderful, which automate mapping, validation, and onboarding without requiring dedicated development resources.

How does Orderful replace the need for EDI developers?

Orderful replaces manual development with automation. It offers prebuilt partner mappings, real-time error validation, and cloud-based monitoring. This eliminates bottlenecks and reduces the dependency on specialized in-house talent.