EDI messaging is an integral part of PGZ International's business process

In May 2025, we reconnected with Harry Landzaat, Technical Application Manager, and Nathan Seidel, IT Manager at PGZ International, to revisit a story we first told back in 2017. Much has changed since then. EDI adoption has grown significantly, and a new EU compliance requirement - mandatory B2B e-invoicing via Peppol - is now on the horizon. It was the perfect moment to catch up and explore how PGZ is navigating both growth and regulatory change.

“Supporting the entire EDI process is an important aspect of our customer service. Therefore, it is essential that it operates 100% correctly and smoothly. Descartes is a vital partner for us in this regard.” 

René Oud, Director of Operations, PGZ International 

When asked about developments in EDI usage, Harry Landzaat explains: “Since 2017, EDI adoption has grown significantly. Aligned with the strategy already in place at the time, many additional trading partners have started using EDI. Today, all major customers are connected via EDI, and we continue to receive regular requests to onboard more customers and suppliers. Ideally, all of PGZ’s trading partners would use EDI, but for smaller partners, technological and resource constraints can make this challenging.”

After years of using EDI, PGZ has no doubt about its value. “Automated processes run smoothly without requiring attention, unlike manual ones”, says Nathan Seidel, highlighting the efficiency gains.

Recently, the EU mandate for B2B e-invoicing via Peppol has presented PGZ with a new challenge, specifically with their Belgian subsidiary Feeder One Belgium. Governments in the EU are expected to implement mandatory B2B e-invoicing in the coming years, with a timeline varying per country. In the case of Belgian businesses, the deadline for compliance is January 1, 2026. In response, PGZ International, in collaboration with Descartes, has already invested significant effort in preparing for the transition to Peppol e-invoicing to ensure timely compliance.

PGZ took a structured approach to e-invoicing, starting with the essentials. “We began by obtaining our Peppol ID, which Descartes secured for us,” explains Harry Landzaat. "With the help of our ERP partner, we created the required Peppol Universal Business Language (UBL) invoice format. That invoice is then routed through Descartes, our chosen Peppol Access Point.”

While still in the preparatory phase, PGZ is progressing steadily. “Thanks to our early start and close collaboration with Descartes, we’re confident we’ll be ready by January 1, 2026,” affirms Nathan Seidel.

PGZ continues to navigate the complexity of working with multiple stakeholders. “We prefer to have Descartes manage these data translations to ensure peace of mind,” says Harry. “We trust their infrastructure and have full confidence in the quality they deliver.”

Looking ahead, Nathan anticipates that mandatory B2B e-invoicing will follow in the Netherlands by 2027, though no official deadline has been set.

For PGZ, the foundation of a successful EDI implementation lies in the choice of the right partners. “Choosing the right EDI partner is essential to ensure access to the right expertise and to minimize the risk of implementation issues,” say Harry and Nathan.

They encourage other companies to follow suit. “EDI is standardized—and that’s where its strength lies,” Nathan adds.

Both agree that working with Descartes has been a seamless experience. From technical consultants to the Customer Success Manager, the communication has been clear and the support consistently responsive.

Video of the 2017 testimonial below:

Full-service retail concepts can focus on their core business by taking as much of the logistical burden off their customers as possible. EDI services are an essential part of PGZ International's service offering. 

Keeping EDI knowledge up to date is a real challenge for many organizations because they have limited staff for this task. However, if new message types arise, we can always rely on Descartes' expertise. 

Descartes' solution enables PGZ to connect new trading partners quickly and easily. This allows PGZ to offer its customers enormous flexibility and form a strong basis for future growth.