About Data Interchange

Philip Friend develops ODETTE FTP for the Automotive industry

Philip Friend founded our company with his wife Janice and colleague John Powl when EDI was developing technology. He had been leading the ODETTE group of automotive OEMs that developed the industry’s first EDI communications protocol – ODETTE FTP. This was to become Europe’s EDI communication standard for the automotive industry.

Phil’s and Janice’s fledgling business became Data Interchange and our company began to develop further EDI solutions, including Odex, for a range of computer platforms.

Business grows, Odex is launched for more platforms

As companies worldwide began to implement EDI, the company grew. It was a period of intense activity as Data Interchange built solutions for IBM mainframe, PC, HP3000, IBM System/36, and IBM AS/400. In addition, Xlate was developed to convert files to EDI format and BACX.25, which allowed businesses to submit direct debit/credit instructions to the UK banking system.

As more customers chose EDI, software integration became important and the company needed more people. We moved to the Metro Centre in Peterborough as we added more software developers, sales and technical support teams.

Data Interchange moves to Lynchwood and into Europe

By 2000 most larger manufacturers wanted EDI, and its benefits in optimising supply chain efficiency globally were clear. New programming tools were arriving from Microsoft, so we moved Odex and Xlate to the brand-new .net framework creating Odex Enterprise and Xlate Evolution while adding new B2B software
features for wider markets.

During this period, we set up our own VAN (Value Added Network) using Data
Interchange solutions. This focussed on the automotive sector and became known as DiNet. DiNet is now one of the most used EDI VANs operating globally.

As a result, the company continued to grow. Needing more space, we moved to the Lynchwood business park in Peterborough. Also, we opened a number of
satellite European offices to support our growing number of global customers.

The Internet, partnership with QAD and managed EDI

The Internet began to change the way people worked and offered businesses a new way to use software applications, to receive orders and track deliveries. Therefore, we embraced Internet technology to deliver our solutions online.
Also, we saw a growing demand for customers wanting to outsource much of their EDI operations. Our partnership with QAD used our technology to provide them with a managed services platform to deliver EDI as a service.

During this decade we also continued to enhance our web solutions, Darwin Hub and our DiNet portal to make EDI easy for customers to use.

Having run the business for several years during this time, the founder’s sons, Ewan and Ieuan Friend, appointed Robert Steiner to be the new CEO of
Data Interchange.

Looking ahead to 2020-2025

Data Interchange is a now multi-million-pound business. 

We plan to add more partners to our network and invest in our core product and services portfolio to reflect the changing nature of our customers’ business.

Our mission is to simplify EDI and become the leading cloud-based EDI software provider globally.

New CEO - 2021

Andrew Filby becomes CEO of Data Interchange. Andrew has worked at the company for over 30 years across various departments, most recently heading up Research & Development. Having worked with the founders of the business, Andrew can ensure that the legacy, purpose and future vision of Data Interchange remains true.