- 24/04/2026
- EDI
What is EDI and why is it essential in the optical industry?
What is EDI?
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is a system that enables stakeholders in the optical industry (opticians, lens manufacturers, suppliers, etc.) to exchange information directly between their software, without the need for manual data entry.
In other words, software systems communicate with each other automatically. For an optician, EDI naturally integrates into many daily tasks, such as ordering lenses from manufacturers, receiving order confirmations, and retrieving invoices.
How does EDI work in the optical industry?
In the optical sector, EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) connects all professionals such as opticians, lens manufacturers, producers, and distributors.
Each stakeholder uses their own software (business software, ERP, etc.), but thanks to EDI, these systems can communicate with each other through standardized formats.
Without EDI:
- you consult a catalog (PDF, supplier website, or document)
- you search for the correct reference
- you manually enter the order into
- your software or on a portal you verify the information
- you send the order
This process is time-consuming and can easily generate errors (wrong reference, missing option, etc.).
With EDI:
- the supplier’s catalog is directly integrated into your software
- you select the product with its characteristics (prescription, treatment, options, etc.)
- the order is generated automatically
- it is sent instantly to the supplier
With EDI, you don’t need to re-enter any data, which helps you avoid errors and save time.
How does an EDI order work in practice?
For an optician, placing an order needs to be both fast and reliable. Thanks to EDI, this process becomes much simpler, and information flows automatically between your software and your supplier’s system, without re-entry or risk of error.
Here’s how an EDI order works, step by step:
1. Product selection
In your software, you choose the desired product: lenses, frames, solutions, or contact lenses, with all the necessary options (prescription, coating, tint, etc.).
2. Automatic order generation
The software converts your selection into a structured EDI message containing all the required information: reference, quantity, options, and customer details if needed.
3. Order submission
The order is automatically sent to the supplier via the EDI platform.
4. Supplier-side processing
The supplier’s system receives the order and integrates it directly into its own software.
5. Feedback
The supplier sends a confirmation, status update, or invoice—again, fully automatically.
What does an EDI catalog look like in the optical industry?
An EDI catalog is a structured database, usually in EDIFACT, XML, or CSV format, that contains all the information needed to allow your software to automatically process orders.
It includes:
Product references: frames, lenses, contact lenses, accessories
Technical characteristics: index, diameter, coating, lens type
Available options: tints, filters, additional treatments
Business rules: compatibilities, technical constraints, or special conditions
How to create an EDI catalog?
There are specialized software solutions capable of creating EDI catalogs from an Excel or CSV file, such as Catalog Production. This type of tool makes it easy to produce your catalogs for frames, lenses, contact lenses, solutions, and accessories.
Create your EDI catalog with Catalog Production:
1. Prepare your source file
- Fill in your product references and their characteristics in an Excel or CSV file.
- Some columns are mandatory according to optical industry standards.
- The file includes examples to guide you as well as an explanatory guide detailing the meaning of each column.
2. Import the file into the software
- Once your data has been entered, you import the file into the catalogue creation software.
3. Export to the desired EDI format
- The software allows you to generate an EDI catalogue in different formats used in the industry: Opto 11, Optimeyes, SF6, etc.
4. Validate your catalogue
- Before distributing it, it is essential to use a catalogue validator to check that it contains no errors.
- This ensures that the catalogue is ready to be used and shared with your partners.
A good EDI catalogue software guides you throughout the entire process with pre-filled examples, column explanations, and an automatic validation system. This helps reduce errors and produce a catalogue that is directly usable by your partners.
How can EDI orders be exchanged?
EDI order exchanges rely on solutions capable of automating and securing data transmission between different stakeholders. Thanks to tools such as QuickEDI and SwitchEDI, information flows directly between your software and that of your partners, without any manual re-entry.
Your orders, invoices, or delivery notices are automatically:
- sent from your software to your suppliers
- checked and secured before processing
- integrated into production or management systems
These EDI platforms also allow the handling of different data formats (EDIFACT, XML, CSV, or APIs), in order to adapt to the tools used within the optical ecosystem.
Key takeaways about EDI in optics
EDI is now an essential standard for any player in the optical industry looking to stay competitive. And while setting up product catalogs and EDI exchanges may seem complex at first, tools such as Catalog Production, QuickEDI, or SwitchEDI make this integration much simpler.
Don’t let data entry errors slow down your growth—structure your data today and simplify collaboration with all your partners.