WMS EDI cost for 3PL
EDI is per-trading-partner. SPS Commerce, TrueCommerce, and CovalentWorks each price per-map plus per-document. Typical retail-DC trading partner requires ANSI X12 940 (warehouse shipping order), 945 (shipment advice), 856 (ASN), and 810 (invoice).
ANSI X12 sets you actually need
- 940 - Warehouse Shipping Order (inbound from brand to 3PL).
- 945 - Warehouse Shipping Advice (3PL confirms shipment to brand).
- 856 - ASN (3PL to retailer DC).
- 810 - Invoice.
- 753/754 - Routing instructions (large retail DCs).
- 846 - Inventory inquiry/advice.
GS1 US maintains the standards reference.[s-30]
Per-map and per-doc pricing
Onboarding hours per partner
20-60 SI hours per new trading partner depending on the retailer's compliance documents. Add a 4-week onboarding timeline per partner and a $5K-$15K consultant budget. High-volume retail DCs (Walmart, Target, Kroger) carry the strictest compliance burden.
Buyer questions
Can I roll my own EDI?
Technically yes. Practically no. The VAN, compliance updates, and 3PL trading-partner network make a managed EDI service cheaper at any 3PL scale.
Per-document overage - real risk?
Yes. Large retail DCs send dozens of 940s/856s per shipment per store; the document count multiplies fast. Negotiate the included tier above your expected volume.