Make dispatchers more efficient
TMW EDI Automation
The TMW Systems enterprise transportation software products have proven themselves to be leaders for many years in a very competitive arena. Now, be the most competitive with DCS’ EDI experience and fine tune your TMW EDI capability. Imagine dispatchers focusing more upon scrutinizing crucial Tenders. Now imagine smooth and reliable processing.
As a TMW user, you can move economically to a higher level of customer service by ensuring dispatchers’ time is not wasted. For example, Load Tenders should arrive and be pre-populated by an EDI process. Dispatchers want to avoid tedious and error prone data entry. Their focus now can be rapid approval or correction of Tenders. This improves service and gets more loads.
Another improvement, a sales booster, is to continually provide pick-up and delivery times directly to your customers’ logistics system. Saving them the tedium of looking at your web site. Your higher level of service will be highly visible and your relationship will be more permanent and profitable.
Third, moving to secure internet (AS2) data transmission reduces pricey network fees. Using your existing, time-tested tools, DCS’ in-depth knowledge of TMW System’s TMWSuite™; plus Kleinschmidt’s EDI VAN™ and Encomium Data International’s Pro_EDI™ systems, ensures your process automation or pick-up/delivery status initiative will be completed thoroughly, quickly, and economically.
Overview
TMW users have an ample and suitable capacity for each type of customer and their emerging demands. The usual snag is too little time or experience to move to the next level.
More savings can be achieved through
- Smoothing processes by reducing manual steps
- Loading all Tenders to provide dispatchers more time to scrutinize, correct, and fill
- Providing pick-up and delivery times directly into your customers’ logistics systems, improving ease and productivity for them and tying you tighter
- Moving to a server grade system
Server grade systems usually replace Windows 7™ 32 bit systems because TMW Suite has been re-engineered for tighter integration and even more reliable processing.
If you are considering a server grade system, please shop carefully. During your planning be aware of EDI system vendor pricing tactics. All of these can be rented or purchased, which is more economical than rental and does not leave you dependent upon vendor’s schedules. If you chose DCS to configure, we provide the source code for all maps without extra charge. You can be completely self-reliant. Popular brands of Windows Server™ systems are
- IBM’s Sterling Commerce Gentran:Server™
- GXS’ BizLink™
- Extol’s Business Integrator™
- Altova’s Map Force™
- Microsoft’s BizTalk™
Investment
The cost of a server grade EDI system is about $20,000, plus configuration (mapping) for the first customer of $20,000 for the four popular documents (inbound Tender, outbound Acceptance, Shipment Status, and Freight Invoice). After the first customer is approved, subsequent customers are about $1,000 if using the same documents. After this investment, there is NO per customer, per document, or per month cost. The Return on Investment for a purchased system usually is 50%.
Alternatively, if you keep your existing system or network (VAN), smoothing processes typically costs about $7,500, which is repaid rapidly from more efficient and happier dispatchers and customers.
While the savings from linking to Trading Partners is apparent, the chronic shortage of budget and staff often leaves this opportunity largely lost. DCS can help you set the first customers and train your staff to meet the new service level.
Conclusion
TMW has unused capability that can economically raise customer satisfaction. More integration with key customers means more loads and better retention. Our DCS PROMPT™ Remote Support Service and GROW™ Development Services are standardized services to ensure thorough, quick, and economical solutions. Having DCS develop the first few Trading Partners and communication parameters lowers the cost of implementation and hastens payback.
- Most of the US companies requiring X12 or EDIFACT EDI specifications are well known to us.
- Popular EDI Transaction Sets such as Inbound Load Tender (204), Outbound Acceptance (990), Bills of Lading (211), Trailer Manifest (212), Shipment Status (214), Invoice (210), and e-payment Remittance Advice (820) have been implemented at many of our customers.
- You may also consider 3PL EDI (94x series) for your logistics service.
- Finally, connections using EDI INT AS2 or FTP over a VPN reduce cost by elimination of pricey Value Added Networks.
With experienced professionals, you can avoid common pitfalls and headaches when implementing EDI. Your first step is easy, email DCS for your free EDI 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.