Distributor Order Processing Automated to Speed Fulfillment
An EDI Success Story
Introduction
SAP Internet Documents (IDoc™) and Inovis’ TrustedLink™ for the IBM System i™ (formerly Series i) can integrate with the SAP module from Inovis. This means TLi users upgrading to SAP do not have to purchase a new EDI system. The known reliability of TLi and DCS’ years of experience with TLi encouraged this vintner to link it to IDocs for EDI. DCS provided the expertise to guide the project, help them become self-reliant, and provided some mapping expertise.
Overview
A DCS customer’s INbound Customer Sales Orders (850) needed to be integrated into SAP on an AS/400. The problem was to learn and implement TLI and the SAP module for a clean integration.
Customer orders for wine and spirits distributors need to be processed quickly and efficiently. Each customer’s EDI requirements were slightly different so a comprehensive map between SAP IDocs and TLi for EDI was needed. This means that subsequent customization will be minimal. Integration with SAP assures that documents move directly into IDOCs without additional steps.
A key step was in providing training in EDI concepts, TLi mapping and operations, and the TLi SAP Module configuration. A complete test environment was set-up and then replicated for production. Three days of map training resulted in the completion of the maps needed for their current partners.
Another key step was to implement AS2 communications, avoiding VAN charges and meeting customer requirements. Inovis’ BizManager400 was implemented and integrated with TLi. X12 EDI documents are received and routed to TLi for translation. SAP IDOC’s are received from other partners and routed directly to SAP.
Result
The DCS EDI Consultant and the users jointly solved this challenge with Inovis’ suite of e-commerce products. This DCS customer now has sound EDI capabilities and is self-reliant as new requirements and customer demands arise. As a plus, the new processes take fewer people to process and monitor. DCS EDI Consulants with extensive knowledge of SAP and TLi kept the cost lower due to experience with technical challenges. DCS continues to be available for same day support when needed.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the computer-to-computer exchange of routine business documents such as Purchase Orders, Shipment Notices, Invoices, and Remittance Advices without human intervention. Data moves from your customer’s computer system – through the Internet securely – to your computer system.