A Distributor Tackles Dot Com (.com) EDI Challenges
Vendor Direct to Consumer (V2C) EDI Boosts Productivity!
EDI Challenge
An entertainment media producer met the challenge when EDI had to be adapted for a dot com customer. Their time tested processes had to support much higher volumes. The two key challenges were
- Each consumer order required an EDI order, shipment notice, and invoice
- Added fields, such as “Signature Required” complicated the integration
The challenges meant changes to the EDI and business application. Fortunately, low cost, secure Internet AS2 data transmission was already in place.
Overview
When the relationship with the dot.com customer matured, the sales force was aware there would be more EDI orders, but assumed that one PO would cover many shipments. They later learned that an order would be needed for each Ship-To address (the consumer’s home address). This meant a weekly tsunami of orders, each generating a shipment notice and invoice and they had only a small window to get it done. For the peak holiday months, hundreds of orders are received daily, so they had to be prepared.
The new information they would receive needed to be mapped in the EDI system and also configured in the ERP system. For example, the TD505 segment brought about 5 new codes. Here are two examples:
NS No Signature Required
SG Signature Required
Although the new requirements surfaced just before the first orders were due, they were not too high of a hurdle. As a plus, the same segments and codes are used by most dot.com merchants, so the changes made will be much quicker to roll out to subsequent customers.
Conclusion
The requirements of the dot.com customer were fortunately met quickly, as time and visibility were key. DCS was able to upgrade thoroughly, quickly, and economically in two weeks due to our experience with their EDI system, business application, and their key customers’ EDI requirements. Knowing exactly how the new requirements must be integrated and how automated processes changed meant they could be ready when the first orders arrived.
Our EDI Specialists are trained and ready to do the work for you. Your first step is easy, email DCS for your free assessment.
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.