The Business Need
AngioDynamics is a New York based company that manufactures medical devices. They wanted to enter the Canada market for their industry. However, rather than spending the time and money to create their own warehouse, they opted to work with a 3rd party warehouse (UPS).
AngioDynamics uses Oracle ERP, which doesn’t support 3rd Party Logistics (3PL) by design. For Oracle, all 3PL are out of scope and must be custom written. Additionally, AngioDynamics uses OpenText/GXS BizManager translation and mapping software for EDI conversion. Since this was their first 3PL experience, they had never implemented the 900 series warehouse documents.
AngioDynamics turned to Data Communication Solutions (DCS) for help. DCS specialists Tom Kenyon and Karun Puni took on the project.
The EDI Challenge
DCS needed to design and develop a scalable 3PL warehouse solution for AngioDynamics. This encompassed the 940, 943, 944, 945, and 947 warehouse transactions. Because the transactions are not supported by Oracle, custom maps had to be created from scratch. All changes had to be handled on AngioDynamics’ end.
The DCS Solution
To accomplish AngioDynamic’s goals, DCS first customized the gateway process to include the 940, 943, 944, 945, and 947. EDI mapping and testing was completed after customization. Integration occurred jointly between DCS and AngioDynamics. The end result was an EDI process allowing for AngioDynamics to easily connect with the 3PL.
The first step in the new EDI process is for the AngioDynamics customer to generate an outbound order which is sent to AngioDynamics. This triggers the chain of events and documents which are passed back and forth between AngioDynamics and the 3PL. When the 3PL ships the order, they will send a 945 (warehouse shipping advice) to AngioDynamics. AngioDynamics then generates an 856 (advance ship notice) to reach the customer before the shipment arrives. Because AngioDynamics had never used any of the 900 series transactions, DCS designed and tested each step of the way.
The chart below shows how information is processed between the customer, AngioDynamics, and the 3PL:
The Result
Thanks to DCS’ work, AngioDynamics is selling in Canada. With this solution, they are looking to enter into newer markets. If AngioDynamics does enter into new markets, DCS will continue to help them with any tweaks to the standard Oracle/BizManager-3PL solution created for Canada.
“We have been live for a month and a half and things are starting to settle in,” AngioDynamics’ Oracle Systems administrator told us in December. “The programs that DCS worked with us on are working great.”
One of the many benefits to working with DCS is that we train the customer as we go to encourage self-sufficiency. At the same time, we’re always available to call for help. Just as we benefitted AngioDynamics, DCS can provide the best EDI solutions for your company’s challenges. Contact us today to learn what we can do for you.
About the Associates
Tom Kenyon joined the DCS team in 2007 as an EDI Specialist. He first became familiar with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) programming in 1995 when he was contracted to build a customized document integration platform to support communication in a community of schools near Phoenix, Arizona. For over twenty years he has continued to broaden his knowledge of all aspects of electronic data transformation, communication, and security. He has experience supporting various ERP systems such as SAP, Infor Visual, Oracle, Made2Manage, and many custom packages. Tom has installed, set up, and supported many data translation software packages.
Karun Puni has two decades of Oracle ERP-centric global IT experience. He has extensive Oracle ERP implementation experience and a thorough understanding of onside, near-shore, and off shore delivery models. Karun has a strong functional knowledge of manufacturing, distribution, and financial verticals. He has successfully executed many large-size, multi-organization, multi-site, and multi-currency implementation projects.
