Telema 25 years: building trust in digital trade

In 2025, Telema marks its 25th anniversary. What began as a focused initiative to streamline electronic trade documents has grown into a leading EDI and digital trade automation partner across the Baltics — with customers today in more than 70 countries.

This milestone is less about age and more about continuity: doing the same essential things well, year after year, while adapting to how business, technology, and customer expectations evolve.

From early EDI to a regional backbone

Telema was founded at the turn of the millennium, when electronic data interchange (EDI) was still a specialist topic. The early years were about reliability: making sure orders, invoices, and delivery notes moved accurately between retailers and suppliers. This focus on correctness and operational discipline shaped Telema’s culture and reputation.

Over time, Telema became a core part of the Baltic retail and FMCG supply chain. Major retailers and suppliers adopted Telema not because EDI was fashionable, but because it worked, scaled, and could be trusted in daily operations.

Broadening the portfolio

As customers’ needs changed, Telema evolved from a pure EDI operator into a broader automation platform. Alongside classic EDI, new services emerged:

• eInvoicing, supporting regulatory and business-driven digital invoicing across markets
• eFlow, enabling accounts payable automation beyond traditional EDI flows
• Deeper monitoring, analytics, and integration capabilities

This expansion did not replace the core; it built on it. Stability in high-volume, mission-critical data exchange remained the foundation.

A pan‑Baltic company

Growth also meant geographic expansion. Telema established a clear pan‑Baltic footprint, serving customers in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with local presence and shared platforms. Organizational structures changed over the years, but the principle stayed the same: keep central competence strong while staying close to local customers.

People and culture

Across 25 years, technology stacks have changed a few times. What has proven more durable is Telema’s emphasis on people and professionalism. Long customer relationships, long employee tenures, and a strong internal culture have been recurring themes.

Internal traditions, regular reviews, and a strong focus on customer experience and service quality have helped maintain continuity even during periods of rapid growth or market change.

Recent years: renewal and momentum

The last few years have been about renewal. Telema has invested in new platforms, modernized infrastructure, and clarified product strategies. At the same time, performance indicators show resilience: high service levels, growing recurring revenue, and strong customer satisfaction.

The 25th anniversary year itself became a visible checkpoint — not only to celebrate, but to reflect on what should remain unchanged and what needs to move faster.

Looking ahead

“Systems can be rebuilt, but culture takes decades. Telema’s strength after 25 years lies in people who care about quality, responsibility, and long-term relationships.”
— Hele Hammer, CEO, Telema

Telema’s story is not one of constant reinvention, but of steady evolution. The next chapter will continue to focus on:

• Making digital trade simpler and more reliable
• Helping customers adapt to regulatory and technological change
• Scaling automation without losing control or trust

After 25 years, Telema remains grounded in the same idea it started with: when information flows correctly, businesses work better.

Thank you to customers, partners, and colleagues who have been part of this journey.