

TrueCommerce EDI Solutions
By True Commerce, Inc.
TrueCommerce follows a structured, five-step implementation methodology designed to ensure a smooth transition to automated supply chain operations. The process begins with a comprehensive 'Needs Assessment,' where TrueCommerce specialists identify the specific EDI documents required and the trading partners involved. Next is the 'Integration Planning' phase, which involves configuring the connection to the client's ERP or business system (e.g., NetSuite, Dynamics 365). The third step is 'Configuration and Mapping,' where partner-specific business rules and data maps are established. This is followed by a rigorous 'Testing' phase, where sample transactions are exchanged with trading partners to ensure 100% compliance and data integrity. Finally, the 'Go-Live and Training' phase involves educating the client's staff through TrueCommerce University and transitioning the account to the 24/7 Managed Service team. For a standard EDI integration, this process typically takes between 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the complexity of the business systems and the number of trading partners being onboarded simultaneously.
TrueCommerce offers extensive customization capabilities to accommodate the unique business rules of every organization. While the platform provides pre-built maps for over 180,000 trading partners, these can be tailored to handle specific data fields or custom segments required by the user's ERP. The 'Foundry' platform allows users to configure automated workflows, such as setting specific triggers for Advanced Shipping Notices (ASN) or auto-generating invoices upon shipment. For businesses with highly unique requirements, TrueCommerce provides 'proprietary automation tools' that allow for hands-on management of document integration and trading partner mapping. Furthermore, their API-first approach allows developers to build custom extensions or connect unique proprietary systems directly into the Global Commerce Network. UI-level customizations are also available, including dashboard configurations that display role-specific KPIs, ensuring that different team members—from warehouse managers to finance directors—have immediate access to the most relevant supply chain insights for their specific functions.
TrueCommerce prides itself on a transparent 'Fixed Price Model' for its managed services, designed to eliminate the 'nasty surprises' often associated with legacy EDI providers. The base subscription fee typically covers access to the network, 24/7 support, and ongoing mapping maintenance for the contracted number of partners. However, customers should be aware of potential additional costs related to new project phases. These may include one-time 'Implementation Fees' for onboarding new trading partners or integrating additional ERP modules. If a business requires highly bespoke changes that fall outside the standard configuration, specialized 'Consulting or Development' fees may apply. Training beyond the standard onboarding—such as premium on-site training—might also incur separate charges. It is also important to note that while TrueCommerce does not typically charge per-transaction fees, some third-party Value-Added Networks (VANs) used by certain 'hard-to-reach' legacy trading partners may charge their own pass-through fees. TrueCommerce works with clients to identify these potential costs upfront during the quoting process to ensure accurate budgeting.
TrueCommerce provides a multi-faceted training ecosystem to ensure that users are fully empowered to manage their supply chain operations. The centerpiece is 'TrueCommerce University,' an expansive online learning center featuring interactive and on-demand courses that cover everything from basic EDI concepts to advanced platform workflows. For new clients, training is built into the implementation lifecycle, with dedicated specialists providing hands-on instruction during the 'Go-Live' phase. Additionally, TrueCommerce offers a continuous series of live webinars and 'Integration Training' videos that address common challenges and highlight new feature releases. For ongoing support, the 'Foundry' platform includes 'Guided Tutorials' that provide step-by-step assistance within the application's interface. Users also have access to a comprehensive documentation library, whitepapers, and datasheets. For larger enterprises, custom training programs can be developed to align with specific internal processes, ensuring that new employees can be onboarded quickly and that existing staff stay current with the latest supply chain technologies and best practices.
Security is a foundational element of the TrueCommerce platform, which is designed to protect sensitive commercial and financial data at every stage of transmission. The infrastructure is anchored in redundant, Tier 3+ IBM datacenters that feature mirrored environments and real-time data replication for robust disaster recovery. The platform is SOC 2 Type II certified, providing independent validation of its controls related to security, availability, and confidentiality. All data in transit is protected by SSL/TLS encryption, while data at rest is secured using AES-256 encryption. Account information is further protected using non-retrievable hashing algorithms. TrueCommerce also adheres to global IT security standards that exceed ISO 27002 requirements. For businesses handling patient data, the platform is HIPAA compliant, and it supports SOX requirements through detailed audit trails that provide 100% transparency for every transaction. Regular third-party penetration testing and vulnerability scans are conducted to ensure the network remains resilient against evolving cyber threats, maintaining a consistent service availability of over 99.9% uptime.
TrueCommerce operates on a cloud-native, SaaS model, which allows for a high frequency of updates without requiring manual intervention from the customer. The company utilizes a continuous delivery pipeline to roll out platform enhancements and bug fixes, typically on a monthly or quarterly cadence for major features. A critical component of their update strategy is the 'Automatic Mapping Update' service. When a major retailer like Walmart or Amazon changes its EDI requirements—which happens frequently—TrueCommerce updates the maps centrally in their Global Commerce Network. This ensures that the customer remains compliant without having to perform any technical upgrades or re-mapping themselves. Product roadmap updates are communicated via the Foundry platform and through regular customer newsletters. For deep ERP integrations, TrueCommerce provides 'plug-and-play' updates that minimize impact on existing workflows, allowing businesses to upgrade their back-office systems while maintaining seamless communication with their trading partners. This proactive approach to maintenance ensures that customers are always using the most current and secure version of the technology.
Under TrueCommerce's terms of service, customers retain full ownership of their business data. TrueCommerce acts as a processor and custodian of the data as it flows through the Global Commerce Network. The platform provides robust 'Data Portability' options, allowing users to export transaction history, partner lists, and audit logs in various formats, including CSV, XML, and PDF, at any time. This ensures that businesses are not 'locked in' and can access their historical records for internal analysis or audit purposes. The platform maintains a detailed audit trail for every transaction—recording send/receive times, sender/recipient details, and document types—which is stored in a searchable archive for a minimum of seven years (or as specified by contract). In the event of contract termination, TrueCommerce has established protocols for the secure return or destruction of customer data in accordance with GDPR and other regional privacy regulations, ensuring that sensitive business information is handled with the highest degree of integrity and legal compliance throughout its entire lifecycle.
TrueCommerce is built on a highly scalable, cloud-native architecture designed to grow alongside its customers. The platform's 'multithreaded' processing capability allows it to handle massive spikes in transaction volume—such as those experienced during Black Friday or Cyber Monday—without degradation in performance. Whether a company is adding its second trading partner or its ten-thousandth, the process remains consistent due to the pre-connected nature of the Global Commerce Network. For organizations expanding internationally, TrueCommerce supports a vast array of global standards (X12, EDIFACT, XML, JSON) and provides multi-currency and multi-language support. Its modular structure means that businesses can start with basic EDI and easily add VMI, eCommerce, or shipping modules as their needs evolve. The managed service model is particularly effective for scaling, as TrueCommerce provides the technical infrastructure and expert personnel to handle the increased complexity of a larger supply chain, allowing the customer's internal team to remain lean even as their business grows from a regional operation to a global enterprise.
TrueCommerce offers flexible contract terms designed to accommodate the varied needs of its diverse customer base. Most integrated solutions are provided through an annual or multi-year subscription agreement, which offers price stability and a dedicated service commitment. For smaller businesses, month-to-month payment options may be available for Web EDI portals. Contracts typically include a comprehensive Service Level Agreement (SLA) guaranteeing 99.9% platform uptime and defined response times for technical support. Renewal processes are generally automated, with advance notice provided before the end of a term. Cancellation terms vary by contract but usually require a standard notice period (e.g., 30 to 90 days). The terms also clearly outline the 'Managed Service' boundaries, defining the roles and responsibilities of both TrueCommerce and the client to ensure a successful partnership. Intellectual property rights for the platform remain with TrueCommerce, while the client's transactional data remains their own property. All contracts are governed by standard commercial laws, with specific clauses addressing data protection, confidentiality, and liability in line with industry standards.
TrueCommerce is committed to meeting the highest global standards for regulatory and industry-specific compliance. The platform is SOC 2 Type II certified, ensuring robust internal controls for security and data privacy. It is fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for businesses operating in or with the European Union, featuring detailed audit trails and secure data handling procedures. For the healthcare industry, TrueCommerce maintains HIPAA compliance to safeguard patient information during electronic exchanges. The system also supports Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance by providing transparent, auditable records of all financial-related supply chain transactions. Additionally, TrueCommerce is a fully accredited member of the European E-Invoicing Service Providers Association (EESPA) and an active participant in PEPPOL, ensuring its e-invoicing solutions meet the latest government mandates across Europe and beyond. Its 'Retailer Compliance' guarantee ensures that all generated documents—from labels to ASNs—meet the exact technical specifications of thousands of major retailers globally, helping customers avoid costly vendor chargebacks and maintain high scorecard ratings.