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EDI
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| EDI stands for Electronic Data
Interchange. It is the application-to-application transfer of business
documents between companies. The transfer of files requires that the
sender and receiver agree upon a standard document format for the
document that is to be transmitted. |
| Many businesses are looking to EDI as
a new, fast, inexpensive, and safe method of sending purchase orders,
invoices, shipping notices, receiving advices, and other frequently
used business documents. For example, auto manufacturers use EDI to
transmit large, complex engineering designs. Multinational firms use
EDI to communicate between locations. And universities use EDI to
exchange transcripts quickly. |
| The Advantages of EDI |
| Why has EDI taken off in the last few
years? The answer lies in the benefits it provides its trading partners
including: |
| Save Money |
| The cost of paper and paper processing
is incredibly high compared to a properly implemented EDI program.
RJR Nabisco estimates that processing a paper purchase order costs
the company $70. Processing an EDI purchase order reduces the cost
to a mere 93 cents. |
| End Repetition |
| If your trading partner wants a copy
of a document, instead of calling you they simply check their mailbox.
This results in a great time-savings from not having to copy and fax/mail
copies of business documents. |
| Save Time |
| EDI also saves time over paper processing
since the transfer of information from computer to computer is automatic.
There is no need to rekey information with EDI. And the chance for
error drops to near zero, with no data entry. |
| Improve Customer Service
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| The quick transfer of business documents
and marked decrease in errors allow you to do business faster and
more efficient. KMart is an example of a retailer that implements
a Vendor Stock Replenishment (VSR) program. With VSR, the KMart warehouse
sends stock as their EDI system reports it and automatically bills
the client. It can cut weeks from the order fulfillment cycle and
ensures that product is always on the shelf. |
| Expand Your Customer
Base |
| Thus with improved customer service,
you can ultimately expand your customer base. Many large manufacturers
and retailers are ordering their suppliers to institute an EDI program.
So, when evaluating a new product to carry or a new supplier to use,
the ability to do EDI is a big plus. |
| The EDI Services of Manage
Inc. |
| Manage Inc. has over 15 years experience
in the implementation and integration of EDI. We can implement the
entire EDI solution or just help you with parts of it, depending on
your needs and comfort level. |
| Our services include: |
- Needs analysis to determine which
is your best system
- Complete implementation of a new
system
- EDI enabled web sites
- Custom built reports
- Systems integration
- Assistance in adding and migrating
to trading partners
- Guidance during "system-down" emergencies
- Troubleshooting
- Data mapping solutions
- User defined functions
- Custom application design
- Professional training to those new
to EDI
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| In particular, we have extensive EDI
experience with a variety of transaction sets including transportation,
warehousing, invoice/billing, and remittance notices. Given our status
as an IBM Premier Business Partner, we have substantial experience
translating documents that are native to the AS/400 or iSeries platform,
though we have worked with dial-up, PC, and Internet FTP connections. |
| As you've probably already discovered,
good EDI specialists are difficult to hire and keep on staff. EDI
demands extreme attention to detail, constant review and supervision,
and complete accuracy in order to be successful. One small error could
result in hours of troubleshooting or chargebacks - all of which results
in time and money being lost. |
| Do it the right way. Call us today to
find out how you can start realizing the many benefits of EDI. |