Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has long been the backbone of global supply chains. In 2026, the mandate has shifted: supply chains must operate in a world of persistent complexity driven by geopolitical uncertainty, changing trade policies, climate disruption, and cost volatility, not just “occasional disruption.”
For mid‑market companies, these pressures can hit harder. You often have fewer buffers (inventory, staffing, capital) than large enterprises—so the ability to connect trading partners quickly, automate exceptions, and improve visibility is now a competitive requirement.
Here are a few trends we’re tracking for EDI and B2B integration, with specific implications for mid‑market supply chains.
1. Use Agentic AI with EDI for more automation and autonomy.
The rise of Agentic AI is redefining what EDI can do. The standardized and structured nature of EDI formats (e.g. ANSI X12, EDIFACT) and EDI data exchanges means less data cleaning is likely required before feeding it into AI models. AI can also more easily extract patterns and insights from EDI across different trading partners and business networks.
With structured, complete, and accurate EDI data, supply chain leaders can embed autonomous AI agents into EDI workflows to alert, interpret, act on, and optimize data in real time. This shift suggests a move away from manual troubleshooting of EDI onboardings, mappings and transactions, which often drains day-to-day productivity, toward using AI to free up resources to solve bigger supply chain challenges and drive growth-related innovation. For example, AI-generated mappings will soon integrate with orchestration engines, enabling real-time validation and correction during partner onboarding.
2. Use AI-driven data mappings to save time and money.
One of the most time-consuming aspects of EDI has always been data mapping. AI is now accelerating this process by learning from semantic models and automating field matching, reducing setup time and simplifying updates over time. Generative AI makes EDI more accessible and scalable for organizations of any size that may not have a lot of in-house EDI expertise and need help handling day-to-day supply chain operations, for example:
- Reduce support tickets and speed resolution times by enabling non-technical staff to handle the most common EDI issues using AI
- Use AI-assisted self-service tools and chatbots to get answers in real-time to troubleshoot EDI transaction issues
- Receive interactive guidance on how to better manage onboardings, compliance requirements, and more
3. Fuel AI-insights and predictive analytics with EDI data.
Supply chain visibility is no longer about looking at a dashboard or running reports for future analysis. It’s making use of data as part of a real-time ecosystem. Digital twins and AI-powered analytics are giving organizations synchronized views of inventory, orders, and disruptions across their supply networks. AI is increasingly performing prescriptive analysis, helping supply chain leaders understand the impact of possible decisions before making them.
EDI archives contain rich transactional histories, and AI can use this data for inventory management, demand forecasting, anomaly detection, and overall supply chain optimization. For example, machine learning models can predict late shipments or inventory shortages based on past EDI 856 (Advance Ship Notices).
4. Get the most out of your IT ecosystem with hybrid connectivity.
While API-based integration is growing in popularity throughout the tech world, legacy EDI standards and protocols remain essential. The future lies in hybrid connectivity where EDI and APIs coexist to support diverse IT ecosystems.
A hybrid approach offers flexibility, which helps organizations modernize without disrupting existing workflows or supply chain operations. APIs that work with EDI and can connect to common ERPs like ERPs, like SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Fusion, NetSuite, and MS Dynamics 365, are essential for businesses seeking agile, efficient, and future-ready supply chain integration.
This approach enables seamless automation, universal trading partner connectivity, and real-time supply chain visibility, supporting growth and resilience in a digital-first economy for any size organization. This year marks a shift from siloed integration to true orchestration to provide real-time alignment of planning, time alignment of planning, time alignment of planning, logistics, procurement, and partner data across a unified backbone.
5. EDI as a strategic enabler.
EDI has been around for decades for a reason, and it can continue to enable intelligent supply chains well into the future. The hybrid connectivity of EDI and APIs enable real-time decision-making and intelligent automation, for example, flagging unusual order volumes or automating dispute resolution workflows. Coupling EDI and APIs with your ERP – improving B2B integration overall – can also assist with AI-readiness giving you a competitive edge in supply chain agility, resilience and collaboration.
However, enabling AI to fully deliver on this potential requires more than just connecting EDI, APIs, and ERP. It also depends on having a truly integrated ecosystem that AI can seamlessly access. A fragmented landscape of disconnected systems creates barriers, preventing AI from drawing on comprehensive data across the organization.
The next evolution isn’t just connecting EDI, APIs, and ERP. It’s enabling a truly integrated ecosystem that AI can access, so insights are complete, actions are coordinated, and supply chains can respond faster to whatever comes next. For example, your ability to integrate new suppliers quickly – without adding complexity – becomes a strategic lever for resilience and growth.
What mid‑market supply chain leaders should prioritize this year
The more connected your supply chain becomes, the more important it is to ensure data quality, governance, and secure integration, especially since small issues can cascade into costly downstream disruptions.
You don’t need “everything, everywhere” to be successful; however, you do need to
- Modernize connectivity using hybrid EDI+API integration to avoid ripping or replacing technology.
- Automate onboarding and exception handling to better manage trading partner diversification and volatility.
- Use EDI data to power prescriptive decisions, especially for service risk and inventory risk.
- Build your resiliency muscles (e.g. scenarios, monitoring, playbooks) to improve supply chain orchestration despite disruptions.
- Strengthen cyber and governance as partner networks expand, and data exchange becomes more mission critical.
Smarter supply chains start with OpenText
In 2026, growth and resilience depend on an integrated, intelligence‑driven supply chain foundation. OpenText stands at the forefront of this evolution, providing the tools and expertise needed to connect people, systems, and data across your business so you can connect, collaborate, and thrive in a cloud-first, AI-driven world.
OpenText Business Network Cloud provides a centralized platform for integrating suppliers, logistics providers, and customers. Our B2B Integration solutions enable end-to-end visibility and automation, so you can respond faster to customer demands, mitigate risks, and drive growth.
