Forrester Consulting just released a study on EDI & B2B.  It found that very few enterprises surveyed saw a maximum ROI on their existing EDI/B2B solution and were still relying on spreadsheets, text documents and multiple integration tools, demonstrating the need for an integration strategy.

The Data

The study found that:

42% of respondents are still exchanging spreadsheets and other text documents with 40 -100% of their trading trader partners.

Approximately 2/3 of businesses were exchanging EDI/B2B documents with 60% or less of their trading partners

80% of respondents indicated they plan to upgrade their B2B systems within the next year.

The Challenges

Despite the challenges posed by EDI/B2B, these organizations saw the value in investing in an integration solution, citing the need for a more streamlined approach.  The reality is integration is simply not just a choice for most organizations, but a necessity to survive in today’s global economy.  Spreadsheets and text documents can only get your business so far.  Having worked in Technical Support for years, I have seen the challenges posed by the use of multiple,  separate integration solutions.  At some point you need a strategic solution that can grow with your business.  However, this can be particularly challenging for SMBs that often lack in-house expertise.  Fears of technical hurdles, steep learning curves and escalating budgets can make any size organization feel that an Integration Strategy is simply out reach.

The Solution

The good news is that EDI Integration does not necessarily require significant investments in back-office systems, in-house expertise or the deployment of complex integration software.  eBridge offers solutions ranging from EDI webforms to full integration.  For companies new to EDI, webforms are a great first step in moving towards integration; especially if your business is low volume or seasonal. In some cases, webforms may be all your business needs.  For those looking for an all-in-one, scalable solution, ePortal is the eBridge Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution.

Many businesses adopt EDI because they are mandated to by their trading partners. However a strategic, streamlined solution can offer a ROI.  If you need help forming your Integration Strategy, give us a call; we’re here to help!

Thanks,

Nazma
Team Leader, Support Services

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Updated Integration Connections

Good Afternoon Everyone

Its been very busy here at eBridge – during the week November 3-7, 2009, eBridge managed to update the following integration connections: 

1. Advanced Auto Parts 4010
2. All Pro 4010
3. Amazon Books 4010
4. C and S Wholesale 4010 UCS
5. CSN Stores 4010
6. Design Homes 4010 VICS
7. Find MRO 4010
8. Fingerhut 4010
9. General Maps
10. HBC 4010 VICS
11. Home Depot Canada 4060
12. Home Depot US 4060
13. Kaiser Permanente 3030
14. LLBean 4010 VICS
15. Magento
16. Maps Nexternal
17. Meijer 4050 VICS
18. Michaels 4010 VICS
19. MSCIndustrialSupply 4010
20. Sears Canada QR 4030
21. Sears Canada SMART 4030
22. Sephora 4010
23. Target Corporation 4010
24. The Forzani Group LTD 5010
25. The Sportsmans Guide Factory Direct 4010
26. The Sportsmans Guide Warehouse 4010  
27. Transworld 4010
28. Trilegiant 4010
29. Walmart 5010

Be sure to stay tuned weekly for new EDI, webstore, CRM and supply chain management integration updates and additions to the ePortal.

Have A Great Weekend

CRM Integration, EDI - Our Customers Trading Partner Series, EDI Buyers Guide, EDI Integration, EDI Tips and Tricks, EDI Translation, Events, General EDI, Integration, Integration as a Service, The ePortal Web-based Transaction Engine, Webstore Integration, eBRIDGE Blog CRM, CRM Integration, edi, EDI Integration, Integration, SCM, SCM Integration

  Films Presents…

eBridge has continued to post monthly YouTube videos in order to help share valuable business intelligence with small to mid-sized businesses regarding CRM, EDI, supply chain management and e-Commerce (web store) integration. This month’s video explains how EDI Integration works and the various stages within EDI Integration.  

Are you aware of any other key factors to consider when doing an EDI implementation?  Feel free to leave a comment.

 Enjoy the video – be sure to visit our eBridge YouTube channel for new updates on integration.

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New and Updated Integration Connections

Good Afternoon Everyone

I hope everyone had a good week. During the week of October 13^th , 2009, eBridge Software, Inc. managed to published and update the following integration connections:

1. GE 4010
2. Nissan 4010
3. OKI Bering 4010
4. SevenEleven 4010

1. Advanced Auto Parts 4010
2. Amazon Books 4010
3. Anderson Merchandisers 5010
4. Bed Bath And Beyond 4010 VICS
5. Design Homes 4010 VICS
6. Dopaco Inc 4010
7. Family Dollar Stores 4030
8. Fingerhut 4010
9. General Maps
10. Guitar Center XML to XML
11. Harveys 4010
12. Home Depot Canada 4060
13. JC Penny Catalogue 4030
14. JC Penny Retail 4030
15. Ka nd N Warehouse 4010
16. Larox
17. LLBean 4010 VICS
18. Lowes 4010
19. Mack Truck 4010
20. Nissan 4010
21. OKI Bering 4010
22. Orchard Supply Hardware 4010
23. Orscheln 4010
24. Overwaitea Food Group 4010 VICS
25. Owens Minor 4010
26. Party City 4010
27. Sears Holdings Test 4010
28. Sephora 4010
29. Source Medical 4010
30. Target Corporation 4010
31. Wakfern Food Corporation 4010

Be sure to stay tuned weekly for new EDI, webstore, CRM and supply chain management integration updates and additions to the ePortal.

Have A Great Weekend

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Web Store Integration – Essential For Online Success

With online shopping firmly entrenched as a standard method for consumers to purchase goods and services, a company’s Webstore is an essential component in achieving success and strong growth in Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B) e-commerce environments.

In order to achieve the maximum potential of a Web Store, it is paramount that an organization integrates with their accounting system. This would result in taking advantage of two-way, real-time information flow between the two systems. Not integrating could result in the following drawbacks (AppFinity, 2009):

1. Staff wastes a lot of time updating items, prices and on-hand quantities in your Web Store to match with your account systems inventory data.
2. Staff must re-enter orders from your Web Store into your in-house accounting system.
3. Customers can’t update their company information online such as billing, shipping address, phone and email
4. Customers can’t track the shipping status of their order

Furthermore, with the eBridge Webstore Integration Solution, organizations would not have to worry about making any changes to their Web site. By streamlining the information flow in a business’s B2C and B2B e-commerce systems, the eBridge Webstore Integration Solution provides an essential component in a company’s strategy to achieve higher productivity.

 Reference:

AppFinity.(2009). Why Do Companies Install “Connected” E-commerce Solutions?Retrieved September 29, 2009, fromhttp://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/pdf/7571/Why-Do-Companies-Install-Connected-E-commerce-Solutions.pdf

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New and Updated Integration Connections

Good Afternoon Everyone

I hope everyone had a good week. During the week October 5^th, 2009, eBridge Software, Inc. managed to published and update the following integration connections

1. Bealls 4030 VICS
2. Shoebuy Com Retail Website 4010

1. Aramark 4010
2. Bealls 4030 VICS
3. Belks 4010 VICS
4. BJs Wholesale Club 4010
5. Dicks Sporting Goods 4010 VICS
6. Discovery Foods Bozzuto 4010 UCS
7. Dopaco Inc 4010
8. Faurecia Interior Systems
9. General Maps
10. Imerys 4010
11. JC Penny Catalogue 4030
12. JC Penny Retail 4030
13. K Mart Stores 4010
14. LLBean 4010 VICS
15. Magento
16. Metro Richeleau 4010 VICS
17. National Grocers 4010 VICS
18. Pamida 4010
19. Phoenix Warehouse 4010
20. Prime Distribution 4010
21. Rona 4010
22. Sears Canada QR 4030
23. Sears Canada SMART 4030
24. ShoppersDrugMart 4010 VICS
25. Target Corporation 4010
26. Walmart 5010
27. Wegmans 4010 UCS

Be sure to stay tuned weekly for new EDI, webstore, CRM and supply chain management integration updates and additions to the ePortal.

Have A Good Thanksgiving,

CRM Integration, EDI - Our Customers Trading Partner Series, EDI Buyers Guide, EDI Integration, EDI Tips and Tricks, EDI Translation, Events, General EDI, Integration, Integration as a Service, SCM Integration, Technology Corner, The ePortal Web-based Transaction Engine, Webstore Integration, eBRIDGE Blog

BURLINGTON, Ontario, Canada and Los Angeles, CA – October 2, 2009 – the premier Open Source eCommerce Platform and eBridge Software, a world leading provider of accounting software integration solutions announced today their partnership aimed at providing best of breed back office software integration to users of the Magento Enterprise eCommerce platform. Although the number of retailers deploying eCommerce platforms continues to grow world wide, many eCommerce platforms do not easily connect with other, and often critical operational systems. This requires many deployments to depend upon custom solutions for a wide range of needs which along with being costly, places extra strain on resources. Varien, the Magento Company, provider of www.MagentoCommerce.com. To keep up with Magento news, please visit www.magentocommerce.com/company/press-releases and www.magentocommerce.com/blog.

“Integration with backend systems is a critical part of an eCommerce platform deployment and we are committed to making the process as seamless as possible,” said Roy Rubin, CEO of Varien. “With this partnership, Magento Enterprise retailers will get immediate access to standardized integration components for the leading, best of breed third party ERP, CRM, SCM and accounting packages. Magento Enterprise’s BridgeConnect module will facilitate quick integration and with minimal hassle, allowing merchants to realize harmony between back office systems.”

The eBridge software currently supports connectors for over 35 of the world’s most popular accounting packages, including products from Microsoft, SAP, Sage and Intuit.

“Enabling e-Commerce store owners to concentrate on their businesses and not the manual entry of orders removes and enormous obstacle for them,” said Colin Brown “In addition, having integration touch points into over 35 major accounting packages will help Magento provide a solution to their client base”.

A joint informational webinar will be scheduled shortly. Please check back for more information soon. For more information about Magento, visit www.MagentoCommerce.com. To keep up with Magento news, please visit www.magentocommerce.com/company/press-releases  and www.magentocommerce.com/blog.

About eBridge

Since 1993 eBridge Software has been enabling data integration with EDI, CRM, SCM, and web store front systems for small to medium sized businesses. With thousands of customers and trading partners, and integration with over 35 accounting packages and back office software systems eBridge has emerged as the leader in providing quality integration solutions. For more information visit www.ebridgeconnections.com

About Magento

Magento is a feature-rich, professional Open Source eCommerce platform solution that offers merchants complete flexibility and control over the presentation, content, and functionality of their online channel. Magento’s intuitive administration interface features powerful marketing tools, a catalog-management engine and is SEO optimized to give merchants the power to create sites that provide an unrivaled and rich online shopping experience for their customers, tailored to their unique business needs. Designed to be completely scalable and backed by an extensive support network, Magento is the ultimate eCommerce solution.

Inquiries:

CRM Integration, EDI - Our Customers Trading Partner Series, EDI Buyers Guide, EDI Integration, EDI Tips and Tricks, EDI Translation, Events, General EDI, Integration, Integration as a Service, SCM Integration, Technology Corner, The ePortal Web-based Transaction Engine, eBRIDGE Blog

New HTTPS Communication Adapter for ePortal

What is HTTPS?

Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is a secure version of the Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (http). HTTPS allows secure ecommerce transactions, such as online banking. HTTPS encrypts and decrypts user page requests as well as the pages that are returned by the Web server. The main idea of HTTPS is to create a secure channel over an insecure network. This ensures reasonable protection from eavesdroppers and man-in-the-middle attacks.

HTTPS Adapter

The HTTPS adapter replaces the ftp communication between our Bridge and ePortal.  HTTPS is secure, fast, more reliable and doesn’t require additional firewall configuration.  The https adapter also uses web services on our end.  A document can be produced for the customer on demand, meaning a more tightly connected process and a partial document would never be downloaded. 

CRM Integration, EDI - Our Customers Trading Partner Series, EDI Buyers Guide, EDI Integration, EDI Tips and Tricks, EDI Translation, Events, General EDI, Integration, Integration as a Service, Technology Corner, The ePortal Web-based Transaction Engine, Webstore Integration, eBRIDGE Blog

New and Updated Integration Connections

Hello Everybody

I hope everyone had a good week. During the week September 28^th,  2009, eBridge Software, Inc. managed to published and update the following integration connections

1. Inovis 4030
2. LLBean 4010 VICS
3. Magento
4. McLane Food Services 4010
5. Shoebuy Com 4010
6. Volusion XML

1. Annas Linens 4010
2. Annas Linens Test 4010
3. Burlington Coat Factory 4010
4. Family Dollar Stores 4030
5. GSI Commerce 4010
6. Home Depot Canada 4060
7. Inovis 4030
8. Larox
9. Magento
10. Metro Richeleau 4010 VICS
11. NetShops 4030
12. Orscheln 4010
13. PetsMart 4010
14. Sears Canada QR 4030
15. Sears Canada SMART 4030
16. Shoebuy Com 4010
17. SleepCountry 4010
18. Sobeys 4010 VICS
19. Super Value 4010 UCS
20. Walmart 5010
21. Wegmans 4010 UCS
22. Winn Dixie 4010 UCS

Be sure to stay tuned weekly for new EDI, webstore, CRM and supply chain management integration updates and additions to the ePortal.

Have A Great Weekend

CRM Integration, EDI - Our Customers Trading Partner Series, EDI Buyers Guide, EDI Integration, EDI Tips and Tricks, EDI Translation, Events, General EDI, Integration, Integration as a Service, SCM Integration, Technology Corner, The ePortal Web-based Transaction Engine, eBRIDGE Blog

EDI: The Game Changer

In order to be successful, any organization—large or small—must run its operations effectively and efficiently. EDI Integration allows organizations to bridge the information gap between companies with different computer systems. In the B2B world, EDI standards remain the dominant protocols due to EDI-related network traffic volumes increasing between 5% and 10% during 2004 (Twentyman, 2004).

 Over the last decade, EDI has evolved and changed with the times. For instance, EDI has changed not only how firms do business, but with whom they do business in a global marketplace. However there are mistakes that can lead to catastrophic consequences when employing EDI Integration. Below are 5 pitfalls to avoid in securing a successful EDI Integration implementation for organizations (Emanio, 2008):

1. Poor planning
2. Poor understanding of the undertaking
3. Taking on too much too quickly
4. Not sticking to your plan
5. Selecting vendors based only on price

 Avoiding this mistake will allow an organization to attain the many benefits of EDI Integration. For example, one of EDI Integration’s primary benefits to businesses is it reduction in transaction cost by improving the speed and efficiency of filling order and fostering closer relationship with both current and new trading partners.

Reference:

Emanio.(2008).EDI: Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying EDI Integration. Retrieved September 29, 2009, from http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_Document/8492/EDI-Top-5-Mistakes-to-Avoid-When-Buying-EDI-Integration.html

Jessica Twentyman.  (2004, November). How EDI is jumping through new hoops. Computer Weekly,24.  Retrieved September 29, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry. (Document ID: 777548131).

EDI - Our Customers Trading Partner Series, EDI Buyers Guide, EDI Integration, EDI Tips and Tricks, General EDI, Integration, Integration as a Service, eBRIDGE Blog edi, EDI Integration, General EDI, Integration