Answer
That depends on how tightly EDI is coupled to the current ERP, how much visibility the staff needs, and whether the team is trying to simplify partner management or keep processing close to the transaction system. IBM i-centric processing can be efficient when the workflows are stable, while external platforms may ease onboarding, monitoring, or managed support.
The wrong decision usually comes from treating location as the only question. Buyers should compare monitoring, exception handling, mapping ownership, and support model alongside architecture.