Pros and Cons of an EDI Coordinator Career
EDI coordinators improve the exchange of information between companies by using a combination of basic computer skills and specific skills related to the process of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Check out the pros and cons of being an EDI coordinator to see if it's the right career choice for you.
| Pros of Being an EDI Coordinator |
|---|
| Potential to earn a high salary about $34,000-$75,000 in 2015)* |
| Positions available in various industries (retail, distribution, manufacturing, transportation, etc.)* |
| Opportunity to perform a variety of tasks** |
| Voluntary certifications available for career development** |
| Cons of Being an EDI Coordinator |
|---|
| Employers typically require bachelor's degrees and work experience** |
| Extensive technical knowledge is required** |
| Must handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment** |
| Must stay up-to-date on new technologies** |
Sources: *PayScale.com, **August 2014 job advertisements from CareerBuilder.com.
Essential Career Information
Job Description and Duties
EDI coordinators are experts in Electronic Data Interchange, a process that allows companies to exchange documents through computer systems, rather than by mail or fax. These documents can include purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, patient records and shipping information.
As an EDI coordinator, you'll monitor and process the documents your company receives and sends. You'll work with other IT staff members to plan and install software upgrades that will improve the EDI system. You may also be called upon to troubleshoot EDI software, test transactions with new partners, provide on-call support and input data sets for transactions.
Salary Info
According to PayScale.com, the annual salary range for EDI coordinators was around $33,000-$75,000 in 2015. The amount of work experience you have and the industry you work in can significantly affect your salary.
What Are the Requirements?
According to a March 2015 job posting on CareerBuilder.com, EDI coordinators are usually required to have bachelor's degrees in fields such as business, information technology, computer science or information systems. These degree programs include courses in data communications, network security, programming, software engineering and systems management. Through these courses, students learn about the applications and processes used to develop, run and maintain EDI systems.
You'll also likely need at least two years of experience working with e-commerce or EDI for this position. During or after completing your bachelor's degree, you can gain experience and knowledge by finding entry-level jobs that will allow you to become familiar with EDI or e-commerce. These jobs can include customer service representative, buyer, inside sales representative and administrative assistant. Other qualifications include:
- Familiarity with commonly used EDI documents (purchase orders, shipping notices, invoices, etc.)
- Ability to communicate with non-technical co-workers
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Capacity to learn quickly
- Ability to prioritize tasks
What Employers Look for
Because EDI coordinators spend much of their time solving EDI problems for their customers, employers seek candidates with a range of interpersonal and technical skills in addition to the training and experience outlined above. Following are some examples of job postings open during August 2012:
- An animal health products distributor in Colorado seeks an EDI coordinator with a bachelor's degree in business or computer science and three years of work experience. Fluency in Microsoft Office and strong communication, problem solving and organization skills are preferred.
- A Columbus, OH, food company wants candidates with experience using GenTran mapping to develop, troubleshoot and maintain EDI components. Ideal candidates will have bachelor's degrees in related fields, such as information systems, and at least two years of experience as an EDI expert. The position is in a corporate office and requires customer service skills.
- An automotive distributor in Michigan is looking for an EDI coordinator capable of working with a team in a fast-paced environment. Three years of experience and a bachelor's degree in information systems are preferred, along with experience using Cleo Lexicom software, Gentran Server and Eagle RF Express. Other qualifications include familiarity with Windows operating systems, the ability to lift up to 50 pounds and the willingness to travel.
- A health care company in Philadelphia, PA, is advertising for candidates with bachelor's degrees and at least two years of experience in e-commerce and customer service. The employer prefers individuals with basic computer programming and encoding knowledge.
How to Beat the Competition
EDI coordinators can stand out in the field by mastering the skills necessary for the job. Many companies offer voluntary certifications to professionals who demonstrate proficiency using their products. For example, Microsoft awards credentials to those who pass tests on technologies such as Microsoft Office, Windows Server and Microsoft SQL Server. Certifying organizations in the industry, such as Brainbench, also offer certifications. Candidates for EDI certifications from Brainbench are tested on a variety of EDI related concepts, including VANs, EDI testing, data security and EDI mapping.
Joining a professional organization, such as the Association of Information Technology Professionals or the IEEE Computer Society, can help you stay up to date on the newest information and technology in the field. As a member, you'll have access to numerous online resources and publications. You can also attend conferences and workshops to network with industry leaders and learn new information.
Alternative Career Paths
Computer Programmer
If an EDI coordinator career doesn't sound like the right fit for you, there are other options that require similar skills, but may have higher salaries and lower education requirements. As a computer programmer, you'll use a variety of computer languages to write the codes developers use to create computer software programs. Most employers require computer programmers to have bachelor's degrees in computer science, although associate's degrees are sometimes accepted. Computer programmers often work from home and can find positions in various industries, including computer design, insurance and government. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), computer programmers earned median annual salaries of about $73,000 in May 2011.
Software Developer
If you're more interested in creating the software people need to do specific tasks on computers, such as run EDI, consider becoming a software developer. In addition to designing new software, you'll perform maintenance and upgrades on existing software, determine customers' needs and collaborate with computer programmers. As a software developer, you may be expected to work over 40 hours a week. Software developers learn their skills by earning bachelor's degrees in fields such as mathematics, computer science and software engineering. Although the education requirements are similar to those of EDI coordinators, the median salaries for software developers are much higher, at around $89,000, as reported by the BLS.
Computer Support Specialist
If you have some experience with computers but haven't finished your bachelor's degree yet, consider becoming a computer support specialist. With a median annual salary of approximately $48,000, you can use your customer service skills and knowledge of computers to help people solve software and equipment problems. Support specialists typically work in offices or from home; some may also be required to travel to customers' homes. The education requirements range from a high school diploma to a bachelor's degree, depending on the work setting. Entry-level positions at call centers don't usually require a college degree but to work with advanced software you may need a bachelor's degree in information science or engineering.
