BPCS EDI Challenges?

…DCS EDI Consultants Can Help!

DCS knows that your customers will not tolerate disruptions in EDI when changes they demand arise. Fortunately, this risk can be minimized economically as DCS EDI consultants also know your Trading Partners requirements. We can help you integrate your BPCS system with your existing EDI system or help you select an appropriate EDI package. We have experience working with translators such as: GXS’ TrustedLink™ (TLi) for AS/400 and the newer BizManager™ products, IBM’s Gentran:Server™, Extol’s EDI Integrator™, Seeberger’s Business Integration Server™, and other translators on most platforms. There are several advantages to seeking out our EDI consulting specialists:

  1. Adding fields is swift because we know the pertinent files.
  2. Adding customers is largely setting the EDI profile in the customer records
  3. Adding documents requires a gap analysis based upon several files and processes. (Procedure changes are needed too.)

Primarily the EDI changes are unplanned, so a prompt and periodic assistance is needed. Our expertise with BPCS and your existing EDI system will speed completion.

Overview

EDI changes are typically time intensive because they are done infrequently. Additionally, they are not planned or anticipated; just when you have many other details upon which to focus. Since most EDI and AS2 Software systems do not automatically link to your business applications, re-mapping and thorough testing is needed. Use of LPARs makes this easier. The costs of changes relate directly to discovery and testing (always more time consuming because the customer approval is needed). Minor changes in procedures may also be needed.

Some EDI changes such as price sheets and sales reporting are accommodated by using an outsourcer. This may make sense when the ERP system version is outdated. Second, it may be effective when the document requested by a key customer does not have to be integrated. Examples include an outbound catalog/price sheet and inbound sales, use, and inventory data.

The challenge is that outsourcers are not familiar with the header and detail files created or expected from an IBM System i™ system. Exchanging data through an outsourcer successfully is based upon a sound initial configuration. This also means automating manual steps and enhancing automated error reporting are more important.

Alternatively, EDI data can also frequently sent to a database supporting a stand alone application you create. Several DCS customers have moved data into/out of Series i, IBM’s DB2™, Oracle 11G™, or MS SQL Server™ databases for subsequent processing such as reporting. Frequently, DCS customers can save by doing the reporting themselves. DCS role is to help with table design for EDI data and then map the data into a database. Working jointly processes are swift and reliable.

Another savings opportunity that is often overlooked is setting AS2 or FTP over a VPN to your Trading Partner. This is done while working closely with your firewall manager and can eliminate pricey VAN fees.

Conclusion

Successful change requires that all business processes are NOT interrupted. Attention to very many crucial details is the heart of the challenge. Chances are deadlines are impending and progress is slow. To maintain the peak efficiency consider outside assistance from veterans.

Having performed numerous conversions, DCS EDI consultants can help you avoid a flawed upgrade and ensure your EDI runs smoothly with fewer manual steps. Our Next Level™ Conversion service is time-proven for a smooth upgrade. The next step is to contact DCS for your Free Assessment. From it, a task list and time estimates are provided.