From Chaos to Clarity: DCS Migrates Client from Hosted Platform to CIC

Our client, a major manufacturer specializing in personal mobility devices (electric bikes, electric scooters, and hoverboards), serves a wide range of retailers, including Target, Walmart, Costco, and other major chains. EDI is critical for their business, handling 85% of their order volume. Efficient and accurate EDI is the backbone of their operations, managing orders, shipping, and invoicing seamlessly.

The Challenge

The client was struggling with an outdated and expensive hosted EDI solution that was unreliable and cumbersome to integrate with their Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains (GP) system. They experienced frequent errors, delays in transaction processing, and lacked the flexibility to customize EDI maps for their diverse trading partners. Their key challenges included:

• Outdated EDI Platform: Their current hosted solution was costly, error-prone, and difficult to maintain.
• Inefficient ERP Integration: The system integration with GP was inefficient, leading to data errors and increased manual intervention.
• Limited Flexibility: The inability to customize trading partner maps created inefficiencies and strained relationships with key customers.
• High Costs: Ongoing costs and maintenance fees were unsustainable, prompting the need for a more modern, cost-effective solution.

DCS Solution: Cleo Integration Cloud (CIC)

After considering options, DCS recommended migrating to Cleo Integration Cloud (CIC), a cloud-based, scalable EDI platform designed for complex B2B data exchanges. DCS worked closely with the client to understand their internal business processes and data requirements and designed a new GP integration that was significantly more effective and efficient. DCS managed the full migration process, ensuring the new solution was aligned with the client’s goals and business needs. Our approach included:

1. EDI System Migration
   • DCS transitioned the client from their outdated hosted EDI system to CIC, minimizing operational disruption.
   • Leveraged CIC’s advanced capabilities, providing the client with a more reliable and efficient EDI platform that can scale as their business grows.
2. Enhanced ERP Integration
   • DCS integrated CIC with Microsoft Dynamics GP via SmartConnect, enabling automated and accurate data flow between CIC and GP.
   • This enhanced integration reduced manual data entry, improving data accuracy and operational efficiency.
3. Customized Trading Partner Maps
   • DSC developed customized EDI maps tailored for each trading partner’s specific requirements – creating improved customer relationships.
   • This personalization reduced errors and chargebacks by meeting each partner’s unique needs.
4. Ongoing Support and Training
   • DCS provided tailored, hands-on training sessions for the client’s internal team to maximize their understanding of CIC’s features and equipping them with the skills to manage CIC independently.
   • We also offered ongoing support for the integration to address any processes and quickly address any updates.

Result

The successful migration to Cleo Integration Cloud yielded significant improvements for the client, including:

• Reduced EDI Errors: The client experienced a substantial decrease in EDI errors, thanks to the customized maps and improved integration capabilities of CIC.
• Cleaner Data in GP: The improved integration led to more accurate and efficient order management, shipments and invoices.
• Lower Operational Costs: The new platform reduced ongoing EDI costs and provided a higher return on investment.
• Improved Efficiency: The enhanced integration with Microsoft Dynamics GP included more accurate transactions, leading to enhanced productivity and quicker receivables.
• Future Scalability: With CIC’s flexible platform, the client can now easily onboard new trading partners and scale their EDI processes as needed, positioning them for future growth.

Conclusion

By partnering with DCS, the manufacturer transformed their inefficient EDI system into a robust, flexible, and cost-effective solution tailored to their needs. DCS’s expertise in EDI migrations, ERP integration, and customized solutions provided the client with the tools they needed to stay competitive in a fast-paced retail environment. If your business is considering migrating to a better EDI solution, DCS is here to guide you every step of the way.

If you’d like to know more about the options for migrating to a better EDI solution, contact us.