Just recently I came across an interesting article on B2B.com which reported that a universal integration system is the top strategy for businesses challenging with internal and supplier communication. Aberdeen Group, a research firm in Boston,  surveyed the chief supply chain officers at 158 enterprises last April and 78% of the respondents said the top business strategy for dealing with supply chain issues is improving internal cross-departmental visibility and integration.

“In short, today’s supply chain management professional is being asked to move products further and faster than ever before through all these various channels while striving to decrease logistics costs and increase profitability,” Aberdeen reports.

B2B Companies today are being asked to have exact inventory levels available at all times to ensure the retailers they are working with have access to their up to date product information. Implementing processes and technologies, like eBridge’s EDI integration, that automate the tedious day-to-day work that keeps your business running will allow you and your employees to focus on higher-level strategic tasks. An EDI integration system for B2B companies ensures an integrated flow of data that eliminates data entry. EDI is used in all major industries, such as health, retail, automotive, finance etc. and can be implemented almost immediately, depending on the type of EDI solution chosen.

This type of seamless integration is also becoming increasingly valuable and often necessary for eCommerce companies. With the eBridge eCommerce integration, customer and sales order information is automatically entered into the back-office financial system from the Ecommerce storefront. In turn, product information and order status updates are automatically entered into the Ecommerce storefront to provide customers with essential and up-to-date information. The eCommerce solution greatly increases the speed of information exchange, resulting in improved customer service efficiency and customer satisfaction.

If you believe your company would benefit from eBridge’s universal integration platform, please comment below or contact me today: pvanasseldonk@ebridgeconnections.com

Also, if you wish to view the report “Supply Chain Visibility and Collaborative Execution in Consumer Markets: Addressing Omni-channel Logistics” it is normally available for Aberdeen clients at a price of $399, but is available as a free download for a limited time only.

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This is an email we received from one of our customers today and wanted to share this information to other EDI customers who are connected to Target Canada. The email read:

If you have any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to contact us!

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Similar to the saying ‘Call Before You Dig’ we would like to remind all of our customers to ‘Call Before You Upgrade’. A lot of companies are upgrading their ERP systems or adjusting their eCommerce, EDI or CRM applications so that their company can be using the best and most intuitive software available. eBridge Connections is a firm believer in staying on top of innovative technology but when it comes to making upgrades that may affect your integration, you should always call your eBridge Integration Specialist before making any changes. This will ensure that the upgrade does not interfere with your solution because that ends up creating headaches for both us and you.

The aftermath of upgrading without letting your Integration Specialist know beforehand can vary. Sometimes nothing changes and it’s business as usual, but unfortunately, it usually ends with your integration needing some work done so that it can run properly again.

Here are the most common issues eBridge runs into when you make upgrades without letting us know:

• The integration adapters often have a version check, so while there may not be changes at the database level from version to version, upgrading can cause the solution to fail based on this alone
• An old version of Windows or SQL server may not be compatible with the adapter, however, if the ERP officially supports a particular version of Windows or SQL, this shouldn’t be an issue
• If the customer updates and we haven’t released that version of the adapter, they can be production down for several days…or weeks
• If the customer forgets or isn’t aware they have customized their ERP database in a way that required a customized adapter, this could compound the delays
• It’s possible that the integration will appear to work but some of the data fields will not map to the correct location anymore

If you have any questions about your current solution or are planning an upgrade during the new year I advise you to call your eBridge Connections representative right away. This is because if any changes need to be made to your solution, it can be scheduled ahead of time to avoid any down-time or problems with your integration. If you are not sure which representative you should contact about your integration, please email me at pvanasseldonk@ebridgeconnections.com and I will forward your inquiry to your proper specialist.

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As a small business starts to grow, organization and business management become major factors when making everyday business decisions. Resource management quickly turns into insight into new business opportunities but sometimes developing small businesses don’t have the resources to catch-up with their growth. Microsoft Dynamics is currently running a Business Challenge where they looking for three worthy businesses who are trying to gain more control over their growing companies with a giveaway of $45,000 toward new ERP software and implementation services.

In order to be considered for this giveaway you need to make a short video explaining how Microsoft Dynamics ERP could positively transform your business operations and increase your potential for future success. Once your video is complete, upload your video to the “Win To Grow” website and share it with as many friends and colleagues as possible to help you receive the most votes. There are currently only 4 videos uploaded so odds are in your favor! Three companies will then be awarded $45,000 toward their ERP systems. This money will be put toward licenses for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013, Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013, or Microsoft Dynamics SL 2013 and implementation services from a Microsoft Dynamics Partner. If this is something that interests you please read the full Terms & Conditions and upload your video today! This contest closes February 15^th 2013. Be sure to post your video entry in our comments so we can vote for your business!

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Hello and Good Morning, Here at eBridge we strive to keep our readers and clients up to date on the latest updates and changes from the integration industry. We recently received a notice from the Costco Wholesale EDI department informing us of changes that will be put into effect November 30th. The notice we received read as follows:

Costco Wholesale is currently involved in a project to implement an ERP software solution provided by SAP.  Because you are currently an EDI partner with Costco this will impact you as our EDI requirements must change to accommodate the SAP model. Please see the information below for more details regarding the new requirements that must be followed along with our compliance date. Costco’s new requirements:

• Product identification number transmitted on Costco’s 850/860 Purchase Order/Change must be used on your 810 Invoice.
• All Item level discounts (excluding rebates) transmitted on Costco’s 850/860 Purchase Order/Change must be included on your 810 Invoice.

What we need from you: All of the below bolded information transmitted to you on the 850/860 Purchase Order/Change must be included on the 810 Invoice you transmit to Costco Wholesale. This includes the PO number, PO date, PO terms, quantity, price, product identification number (Costco item number, Supplier item number, UPC, GTIN, etc.) and all item level discounts (excluding rebates). Your compliance is required by November 30, 2012.  If you are already in compliance, we thank you and no action is required. Thank you for your help in this process.  Should you need to contact us please email EDI@costco.com or call our EDI hotline at 425-313-6791. Costco Wholesale EDI Department

As more companies update their current ERP systems or change specific documentation formats, eBridge will continue to update their clients and customers about the changes being made as soon as possible. Please don’t forget that the effective date for these changes is November 30th, 2012.  If you require any additional info or clarification, please contact us or leave a comment below.

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Hi Everyone,

Over the past couple of months we have had many requests for EDI Shipping Labels and ASN’s; the inquires range from Walmart to Home Depot & Bass Pro Shops just to name a few.

This insightful post from our own Mike Catalfamo breaks down how an EDI Shipping Label works: http://www.ebridgeconnections.com/blog/uccean-128-shipping-labels/

Has your EDI trading partner requested Shipping Labels?

Let us know.

Dave Malda.

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Here at eBridge Connections, we have been putting a lot of emphasis on web store integrations recently but the reality is that EDI is still a major reason companies need to undertake an integration project.

In an effort to realize cost savings throughout the supply chain, more customers than ever are mandating EDI as business requirement. That means that if you want to do business with companies like Walmart, Target, JC Penney, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, or any other number of retail or grocery chains, automotive companies or the healthcare industry, you need to be prepared to exchange your business documents electronically, and that usually means EDI. Read more…

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Last month, we announced the new design for our website. Since then, there has been an enormous amount of work going on behind the scenes. Now that the beta testing is finished, we’re pleased to announce the launch of the new version of ePortal – our Online Integration Platform.

Read more…

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Part 3: Inventory Management

By: Mike Catalfamo

Over the past few weeks, we have been looking at some of the pitfalls you might encounter during an integration project and I have provided some ideas about how to approach them. If you haven’t read the earlier posts yet, you can start with the first post here.

My goal for this post is to highlight some things to consider about inventory as it pertains to integration. Selling ice cream is not the same as selling clothing which is not the same as selling books or services so I will try to keep this high-level. If you have any more specific questions or feedback, I would love to hear from you.

Updated: Since posting, I received some feedback that I didn’t provide some clear tips about how to handle unit/pricing conversions. Comments and feedback are encouraged!

Read more…

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