EDI Process Automation Boosts Payback

We Know Your Industry

DCS has compiled a list of utility companies that are currently EDI-active. View our list to see if any of these companies are a key customer of yours. Contact Data Communication Solutions (DCS) today and we can ask the company’s I.T. department (not the buyer) for their EDI guidelines to get the process started.

As an OAGi member, DCS know your industry and it’s specific requirements. We bring you the most up-to-date knowledge with our weekly blog post, best paired with our years of experience.

Evolution Happens, Adaptation is Piecemeal

Process automation for invoicing large customers has proven itself as a long-term cost controller.  The next step is to build upon your existing system for the low cost automation of lower volume documents such as sending vendors their forecasts and receiving their P.O. Acknowledgements.

The key is to get a P.O. Acknowledgement (855) within 24 hours. And, it should be integrated so that your purchasing system highlights the discrepancies. For example, a price difference generates an alert. No more time consuming line-by-line review. This speeds up the process so the service person can focus on finding a second resource or getting the right price negotiated.

During the past decade, the glory of XML and Internet has dimmed due to the time intensiveness of data definition.  This intensity has resulted in standardization so as this decade begins the time needed to launch is less.  The North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) EDI standard now has implementation protocols.

There are several methods of communication that can be implemented including:

  • EDI/EDM Transfer – The transfer of EDI files via internet
  • FF/EDM Transfer – The transfer of flat files via internet

This achieves the new demand: cap head count yet get the work done without errors. To adapt, you must integrate carefully and economically.  Experience counts.  Integration and development must honor your time proven processes and yet offer cost savings for reliability and economy.  DCS can help you plan: we know the return as well as the cost. Your first step is to have DCS give you a no-cost assessment.

Learn more about E-purchasing and E-invoicing with EDI and how it can boost your productivity.