1. 3M United States
  2. 3M Customers and Suppliers
  3. Electronic Data Interchange
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Implementing Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) with 3M

3M strives to meet and exceed the expectations of our trading partners by providing world-class products and services. Electronic Commerce plays a key role in helping us achieve this goal.

Electronic Commerce is the communication of information electronically between business partners (customers, suppliers, carriers, and financial institutions). One form of electronic commerce is Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).


Benefits of EDI

When EDI is used as a tool to enable process change and help achieve business goals, significant benefits can be realized. EDI enhances all parts of the business process, and the impact can be far reaching.

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    Reduced Cycle Time
    With EDI, data can be sent and received 24 hours a day. Because EDI allows business to continue outside the normal business day, the turnaround time for a business transaction can be reduced from days to hours and, in some instances, to minutes.
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    Increased Accuracy and Efficiency
    EDI can eliminate tedious work and reduce the risk of human error. It can also move trading partners toward a paperless environment.
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    Optimized Inventory
    EDI can provide faster and more accurate information about inventory status. Replenishment can be driven by consumption. Future needs or changing needs can be quickly assessed and responded to without manual intervention or review, thus leading to improved inventory management.
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    Improved Business Relationships

    Setting up EDI requires both trading partners to gain a better understanding of each other's business processes. EDI expands channels of communication and leads to better working relationships between the partners.

3M exchanges data Monday through Friday with a limited schedule on the weekend and over holidays.


EDI Guidelines

New EDI customers are required to adhere to 3M standard maps. 3M supports ANSI X12 version 4010 and EDIFACT version 96A.

Customer Guidelines


Frequently Asked Questions