Automotive Manufacturer Solves Growth Challenge

This automotive vendor needed to add UN/EDIFACT documents while preserving its existing internal processes. Prior to contacting DCS, this customer had recently expanded from supplying agricultural, construction, and truck components for Deere, Caterpillar, and Navistar to supplying SUV parts to the Big 3 auto makers. To add to the complexity, the flat file definition had to be altered to receive/send different fields. Additionally, some data transmission was still being sent by outdated by-synchronous modems.

Solution

Utilizing the proven “DCS Process"^TM, DCS was able to develop a three-part solution to accomplish the objectives. First, DCS partnered with SSA’s BPCS^TM MRP software firm to develop flat files for all of the EDI transactions. This involved analyzing all of the EDI Guidelines for the customer's trading partners, and speaking with or meeting with all of the users who would be impacted by the system design. Second, DCS developed, tested, and implemented 5 integrated UN/EDIFACT maps to fulfill all of the customer's trading partner requirements. Maps included the DELFOR, DELJIT, DESADV, RECADV, and REMADV. Third, DCS configured Inovis’ Trusted Link Enterprise^TM for the IBM iSeries^TM and then added Inovis’ BizManager^TM system to transmit date securely through the Internet using EDI INT AS2 to ANX (the automotive industry private data exchange network).

Result

All of the customer’s expectations have been met or exceeded. They are able to send/receive EDI transmissions for several plants around the country through a single processing point. The final product has resulted in greater reliability and control for processing inbound/outbound data. The single processing ability has also enabled the client to have a faster response time to their trading partner requirements. DCS provides on-going, same day support to keep up with rising customer expectations.