Last updated: November 4, 2026 · Reviewed by BOLD VAN's EDI team
In This Article
Quick Answer
Cloud EDI moves an enterprise's EDI software and infrastructure to a provider's secure, hosted platform. Its four main benefits for enterprises are stronger, provider-managed security; less on-site IT infrastructure; direct access to EDI experts; and easier access to EDI data from any device. BOLD VAN runs EDI in the cloud on SOC 2 Type II audited infrastructure, with 99.996% uptime over the last 12 months and US-based EDI experts.
Definition
Cloud EDI is electronic data interchange (EDI) delivered as a hosted service, so the software, servers, connections and maintenance run on the provider's platform rather than on a company's own hardware. Users reach their EDI through a web browser from any device, and the provider handles upgrades, security and infrastructure.
Your enterprise has likely adopted many kinds of cloud technology over the last decade. EDI is a natural next step.
EDI and enterprises have gone hand in hand for decades, giving large organizations a secure, standardized way to exchange business documents with trading partners. Many alternative technologies exist today, including APIs, but EDI remains the preferred method for many enterprises because it is reliable, secure and required by many large trading partners.
EDI has also modernized to meet changing business needs, most notably through cloud-based EDI.
Enterprises are often quick to adopt new technology, but keeping pace with security threats is harder. Software has to be updated constantly, and not every new tool meets enterprise security standards.
EDI is a trusted method for exchanging sensitive business data, and it is used in regulated industries; for example, HIPAA requires standard X12 EDI transactions for many healthcare claims and payments. A key advantage of outsourcing to a cloud EDI provider is that the provider keeps the platform's security current, rather than your IT team doing it alone.
BOLD VAN encrypts your documents in transit and at rest, on SOC 2 Type II audited infrastructure, with security controls and threat protection managed by our team. Encrypted connection methods include AS2, SFTP, FTPS and HTTPS.
Enterprises typically maintain large on-site IT infrastructures that demand significant resources. Depending on the industry, eliminating all on-site infrastructure may not be realistic, but many enterprises find that much of their IT need is well served by cloud software.
Moving to cloud EDI shifts responsibility for EDI servers and hardware to the provider. Employees can reach EDI from any device, with nothing to install, configure or maintain.
Even enterprises with strong IT teams often lack dedicated EDI expertise, and EDI specialists are hard to find and hire. A cloud EDI provider gives you that expertise without the recruiting and management.
BOLD VAN has worked in EDI since 1999. Customers work directly with US-based EDI experts who know their account, available 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, with 24/7 on-call help for production-down issues.
Enterprises generate large volumes of EDI data and need to reach it quickly for operations, audits and decisions. With cloud EDI, your team can look up documents and their status from any device with an internet connection, and you don't maintain the hardware that stores them.
With BOLD VAN, you can search, view and reprocess documents in the portal yourself, with extended history on higher plans.
| On-Premise EDI | Cloud EDI | |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Your servers, hardware and backups | Hosted and maintained by the provider |
| Security updates | Your IT team applies them | The provider keeps the platform current |
| Access | Typically tied to your network | Any device with an internet connection |
| EDI expertise | Must be hired and retained in-house | Provided by the provider's team |
| Upgrades | Planned projects, often costly | Handled by the provider |
| Upfront cost | High | Typically a monthly service |
It is time to move beyond outdated, hard-to-maintain EDI systems. With BOLD VAN, enterprises choose how much they want to hand off, all on the same network:
Moves from on-premise software are scoped with you individually, so you know the plan before anything changes. For pricing, most customers pay by trading partner, and high-volume enterprise programs get a quote built around their volume.
2026 Free Mapping Event
Moving to the cloud or from another provider? Through Dec. 31, 2026, we build and maintain the maps for the trading partners you move to BOLD Integration, at no mapping cost.
Tell us about your current EDI setup and trading partners, and we will lay out the move. Call (844) 265-3777 or email info@boldvan.com.
Talk to an EDI ExpertCloud EDI is EDI delivered as a hosted service. The provider runs the software, servers, connections and maintenance, and users reach EDI from a browser on any device.
It can be, depending on the provider. Look for encryption in transit and at rest, encrypted connection methods and independent audits. BOLD VAN encrypts documents in transit and at rest on SOC 2 Type II audited infrastructure.
On-premise EDI runs on your own servers, maintained by your IT team. Cloud EDI runs on the provider's platform, which handles infrastructure, upgrades and security.
Yes. EDI remains the preferred method for many enterprises and is required by many large trading partners, because it is standardized, reliable and secure.
Yes. With BOLD Transmission and Connectivity, you keep your own EDI system and maps and use BOLD VAN to connect with your trading partners.
With BOLD VAN, most customers pay by trading partner, and high-volume enterprise programs get a quote built around their volume.
Key Facts
Cloud EDI delivers EDI as a hosted service, so the provider runs the software, servers, connections and maintenance. Its main benefits for enterprises are provider-managed security, less on-site infrastructure, access to EDI expertise and easier access to EDI data from any device.
According to BOLD VAN, it has worked in EDI since 1999, encrypts documents in transit and at rest on SOC 2 Type II audited infrastructure, and delivered 99.996% uptime over the last 12 months. Enterprises can choose BOLD Integration, BOLD Cloud Mapping or BOLD Transmission and Connectivity, and high-volume programs get a quote built around their volume.
