01What it is about
Electronic Data Interchange is the dominant B2B standard for logistics messaging. EDIFACT is the global format (UN/CEFACT).
Digitalisation in logistics is not an end in itself. It creates transparency, reduces manual effort and makes processes scalable. What matters is not the technology but the business case: which problem is solved, which KPI improves, which return justifies the investment?
02Standards and players
Typical messages: IFTMIN (transport order), IFTMBF (booking), IFTSTA (status), CUSDEC (customs declaration), INVOIC, DESADV.
Supply-chain digitalisation today is clearly interoperability-driven. Betting on open standards delivers reach and protects long-term investments. Proprietary silos only pay off when they bring clear differentiators — in most cases DCSA, IATA ONE Record or EDIFACT are the better choice.
03Enterprise rollout
Start with a clear use case (for example track & trace, eBL or CO₂ reporting). Build an MVP with a pilot partner, measure KPIs such as processing time, claim rate and data quality, and scale only after validation. Integration with existing ERP/TMS systems is typically the critical path.
Expect a change curve: new tools replace grown processes and require training, governance and clear roles. Budget explicit resources for data quality, monitoring and support on top of the software budget.