W
Waitrose & Partners Tradacoms · EDIFACT DESADV · VAN via Opentext
🇬🇧 UK

Waitrose EDI,
done properly.

Supply Lens automates the complete Waitrose EDI document cycle for John Lewis Partnership suppliers — purchase orders received via Opentext VAN, EDIFACT DESADV ASNs transmitted on dispatch, invoices formatted to JLP's compliance requirements.

5doc
Message types handled
JLP VAN
Opentext VAN connection
99.9%
Uptime SLA
Supply Lens — Waitrose Live Flow Live
Waitrose PO WTR-2025-58103 received 18× 5060123411042 · 12× 5060123411059 · DC Bracknell PO IN
EANs mapped · JLP depot GLN resolved Bracknell → GLN 5060111000018 · supplier WTR-4412 matched PROCESSING
Sales order SO-12240 created ERP / IMS · 30 units · ref WTR-2025-58103 CREATED
DESADV + INVOIC transmitted via VAN SSCC PAL-5521 generated · £726.00 · JLP-compliant ASN + INV
Waitrose-Specific Requirements

Waitrose operates within
the John Lewis Partnership.

Waitrose EDI runs through the John Lewis Partnership's central trading infrastructure. EDI messages are exchanged via the Opentext VAN — the same network used by JLP's wider supplier base. Supply Lens is connected to the Opentext VAN and handles all Waitrose-specific document requirements, supplier codes, and location GLN mapping.

Opentext VAN connection

Waitrose EDI is transmitted via the John Lewis Partnership's Opentext VAN. Supply Lens is already connected to the Opentext network, so you do not need to set up a separate VAN account. Messages route through the JLP EDI infrastructure from day one.

Location cross-reference

All JLP distribution centre codes and GLNs are pre-loaded in Supply Lens. Location cross-referencing is triggered automatically during the order workflow with no depot routing setup required from you.

JLP supplier code structure

Waitrose assigns each supplier a JLP-specific vendor code used to identify your business across all Tradacoms messages. Supply Lens configures your JLP vendor code at the integration level so it is always applied accurately.

Product cross-reference

Your products are imported into Supply Lens once. The workflow then resolves Waitrose EANs and article numbers to your internal item codes on every order. Core range, seasonal lines, and exclusive products are all handled automatically.

Invoice and payment terms

Waitrose invoice matching is based on agreed cost prices and confirmed quantities. Discrepancies between the INVOIC and the originating ORDHDR are flagged before submission. Supply Lens validates price and quantity against the PO before every INVOIC is transmitted via the Opentext VAN.

Document Flow

Every document.
Every direction.
Automatically.

Supply Lens handles the full Waitrose EDI message set via the Opentext VAN — inbound and outbound — so no document is ever manually produced, re-keyed, or sent late.

  • ORDHDR — Waitrose purchase orders received and validated via Opentext VAN (Tradacoms)
  • DESADV — ASN with SSCC pallet references transmitted on dispatch (EDIFACT)
  • INVOIC — Invoice submitted with correct JLP supplier codes and tax treatment
  • No order response or control acknowledgement in this flow
  • All messages routed via the John Lewis Partnership Opentext VAN
Waitrose document cycle
Purchase Order ORDHDR
Opentext VAN
Despatch Advice / ASN DESADV
Opentext VAN
Invoice INVOIC
Opentext VAN
Location & product cross-reference
Waitrose / JLP reference Resolved automatically
JLP DC codes & GLNs
Pre-loaded · no setup needed
Product EANs & article numbers
Resolved during order workflow
JLP vendor code
Applied to every outbound document
John Lewis Partnership: Waitrose and John Lewis share the same EDI infrastructure. Suppliers who trade with both brands operate under a single JLP VAN relationship managed by Supply Lens.
Waitrose Edge Cases

The situations that
catch suppliers out.

Waitrose holds its suppliers to the same quality standards it applies to its products. EDI compliance is taken seriously — routing errors, late ASNs, and invoice discrepancies are followed up promptly.

"We weren't set up on the Opentext VAN — Waitrose told us we needed to sort our own EDI connection."

Supply Lens is already connected to the Opentext VAN used by the John Lewis Partnership. New suppliers do not need to establish a separate VAN account. Your Waitrose EDI is live through the Supply Lens connection from day one of onboarding.

"We sent the DESADV with the wrong depot code — the Bracknell DC rejected the delivery."

JLP depot GLNs are held in Supply Lens and resolved automatically from the PO delivery location. Once the depot-to-GLN mapping is configured, the wrong GLN appearing in a DESADV is not possible — the mapping is applied at the integration layer, not by your team manually.

"We supply both Waitrose and John Lewis — do they need separate EDI setups?"

Waitrose and John Lewis trade under the same JLP EDI infrastructure via the same Opentext VAN. Supply Lens handles both as a single VAN relationship, with separate supplier codes and routing rules for each trading name. One connection, correctly separated at the document level.

"Our EAN was listed under a different article number in the Waitrose product file than in our own system."

Waitrose article number and EAN mismatches are resolved through the Supply Lens cross-reference table — which maps the Waitrose product reference to your internal item code. When Waitrose updates their product file, the mapping is updated in Supply Lens without touching your ERP.

Getting Set Up

What you need
to go live with Waitrose.

Waitrose onboarding involves their JLP supplier trading team, your VAN routing details, and your product and depot data. Supply Lens manages the Opentext VAN connection and configuration — you provide the inputs.

  • Waitrose JLP supplier / vendor number
  • GS1 GLN for your business (for Tradacoms sender identification)
  • ERP or IMS credentials (Unleashed, CIN7, Enterpryze, or other)
  • Agreed cost price list for invoice validation
  • Sample Waitrose POs (real examples where available)
Typical delivery timeline
1
Scope
JLP supplier number, GLN, ERP credentials received.
2
Configure
Product import, EAN cross-reference, and location cross-reference verified in staging.
3
Test
Test PO processed via VAN — DESADV and INVOIC validated against Waitrose spec.
Go live
Production VAN connection enabled — first live Waitrose PO processed end-to-end.

EDI onboarding includes additional steps for VAN routing confirmation and live network testing before go-live.

ERP & IMS Connections

Connect Waitrose to your back-office system.

Supply Lens routes Waitrose POs directly into Unleashed, Enterpryze, or other connected ERPs — with the correct item codes, document series, and JLP depot mapping for each.

Ready to automate
your Waitrose EDI?

Opentext VAN connection already in place. We handle the Waitrose-specific setup — JLP supplier codes, DC GLN routing, SSCC configuration, and invoice validation — from day one.