Across industries, buyers are changing how they do business. They want a digital-first experience, one that’s fast, accurate, and convenient. In the plumbing industry, this shift is especially clear. Contractors and wholesalers no longer want to wait days for orders to be processed or chase down errors that slow projects. They expect a seamless process where the right products arrive on time, every time.
For suppliers and distributors who still rely on manual processes like paperwork, phone calls or email-based orders, the risks are growing. Errors slip in, security issues arise and costs climb.
In today’s landscape, falling behind on efficiency can mean falling behind altogether. This is where LBMX Supply Cloud and its revolutionary technology offer a decisive advantage.
The Digital Shift in B2B
At the core of Supply Cloud is OneEDI, a digital tool that makes trading business documents simpler and smarter.
While the term “EDI” (Electronic Data Interchange) might sound technical, the concept is simple. EDI is like using standard-sized fittings in plumbing. If every pipe had a different shape or thread, you’d spend all your time figuring out how to connect them.
But with standard fittings, everything connects easily and quickly. EDI works the same way—it’s a shared standard that lets businesses “fit” their documents together perfectly.
With EDI, companies exchange four critical documents digitally:
- Invoices (810)
- Purchase Orders (850)
- Purchase Order Acknowledgements (855)
- Advanced Shipping Notices (856)
Instead of sending paperwork, retyping information or juggling emails, businesses can automatically trade these documents between systems—fast, accurate and secure.
One Connection, Many Partners
Traditionally, connecting to new suppliers has been a complex task. Each relationship required its own setup: mapping data, testing and certification. It was like running a separate pipe for every fixture in a house—unnecessary, costly and unmanageable.