How to use this calculator

Most companies managing EDI in-house are paying more than they expect — once you factor in dedicated staff, software licenses, VAN fees, and compliance error costs. Enter your trading partner count, internal EDI headcount, and transaction volume to see your personalized 5-year cost comparison against Foundational’s managed service.

For the most accurate results, use your current annual spend on EDI staff, software licenses, and VAN fees as your baseline. If you’re unsure about transaction volume, a rough estimate is fine — the model is designed to give directional clarity, not a precise audit. Most mid-market manufacturers and distributors find the biggest savings come from reduced staffing costs, eliminated chargeback exposure, and faster partner onboarding that accelerates revenue.

How to read the results

The output shows your estimated 5-year total cost under both models, broken down by category: staffing, software, VAN fees, chargeback exposure, and onboarding overhead. The payback period reflects how quickly the switch to managed EDI covers its own implementation cost. If your payback period is under 12 months — which it is for most companies with two or more full-time EDI staff — the case for outsourcing is straightforward.

For a deeper look at the cost and risk comparison, see our full analysis: In-House vs Outsourced EDI: The True Cost, Risk, and ROI. To discuss your specific situation with a specialist, contact us directly.