Companies using Mercator for X12 and EDIFACT EDI often find they are
unable to change existing maps due to their complexity. Fortunately, an experienced EDI
specialist can readily make the changes needed. The Work Bench™ mapping utility,
though difficult to learn, offers the most flexibility of any integration
tool.
DCS’ experience with both your ERP and DataStage
TX EDI systems, ensures changes are made
promptly. This means you can move
to linking all customers and vendors (even those not preferring EDI
through webforms). Cost savings are realized
more quickly when leveraging existing, time-tested tools.
Overview
Most Mercator users focus upon accommodating Customers by receiving PO's, sending Shipment Notices and Invoices, and
receiving Remittance Advices. Most have 25-75 key customers and numerous
low volume, non-EDI Customers. Conversion of non-EDI customers yields
the most rapid pay-back.
Moving low volume Customers to an automated method means more
conveniences for them and then more sales. There are two ways to link.
1. Surprisingly,
many Customers use EDI, but have not been asked to do so by the Customer
Service department. These are the easiest Customers to automate.
2. Other
Customers can be asked to send XML or spreadsheet data. The key is a
continual, low level rollout of the Customers to EDI processes.
After customers are converted, you may wish to integrate key
Vendors. The killer document is
the inbound PO Acknowledgement, which alerts material planners to short-shipments or late-shipments. This approach not only enlarges the
savings, but also makes the purchasing and logistics departments look
good. Building "ownership" of an automation project smoothes
its implementation.
Conclusion
Mercator is a process automation
tool not sufficiently used. More integration means more time to
scrutinize orders, a capped head count, and quicker business cycles. Our DCS PROMPT™ Remote Support Service and GROW™ Development Services are standardized services to ensure thorough, quick,
and economical solutions. DCS will speed up the process with our
extensive experience with Gentran and your business application, and
charge you a fair hourly rate of less than $140 an hour. The first step
is our Free EDI
Assessment
