|
 |
|
 |
DataTrans Dispatch |
|
| March, 2007 |
Volume 4, Number 1 |
|
| In This Issue |
|
|
|
| Demo's and other links |
|
|
|
| Contact Us |
|
|
| For Your Information |
DataTrans Solutions has experience in creating EDI interfaces between many different applications and the EDI process. If you have an ERP or an
Accounting system and you need to tie the EDI process into your application, contact DataTrans for a free consulting session and recommendations on the best solution for your situation
|
|
|
WebEDI 2.0 Released
DataTrans is pleased to announce the release of the latest version of our web-based EDI system, WebEDI 2.0. This is the latest version of the system that has made EDI affordable and convenient for all companies. The production release was finalized at the end of 2006 after extensive testing. DataTrans implemented a phased release of 2.0 over the past several weeks to insure a high-quality and well supported release.
As our customers have discovered in using WebEDI, it makes managing the EDI process as simple as processing e-mail messages. WebEDI 2.0 makes the EDI process even more intuitive by providing a totally revised interface. This new interface makes the business processes associated with EDI messages more intuitive. WebEDI utilizes the familiar e-mail folder structure along with "previews" to provide the user with a convenient interface that is designed to make the business process behind EDI very apparent. The interface is only part of the many changes included in WebEDI 2.0. The many functional improvements to 2.0 allow for unsurpassed capabilities in a web-based EDI application. Some of these include:
Document Associations: Visual associations between related EDI messages help the user see the status of the business process. For example, Document Associations allow the user to quickly determine whether an invoice has been sent for a particular PO.
Greater Integration Capabilities: The latest version provides the optional ability to integrate into Peachtree and QuickBooks Pro. It will also give WebEDI users import and export capabilities using CSV file formats
Greater Document Defaulting: With WebEDI 2.0 you will have greater ability to default static values in web forms, which simplifies the data entry process.
Administration/ multi-user management: The new version allows a WebEDI administrator to setup additional WebEDI user accounts and control the access.
ASN auto-pack: The user has the ability to automatically generate packs for ASN’s based on data in the WebEDI catalog. This is a real time saver for higher volume WebEDI users.
Document Processing Improvements: 2.0 provides many improvements in the process of creating and generating EDI messages which make for a more efficient environment.
EDI to e-mail: Generate e-mail messages to non-EDI users.
On-line billing detail information: On-line detail of monthly transactions used to see the details of the billing and usage.
Improved Performance: Significant architectural changes in WebEDI 2.0 have provided unsurpassed performance from a web-based application.
...Many others...
All of these capabilities are available with no software purchase required, no high EDI expenses, no long-term commitments. Just one simple easy to access web-based solution connects you to the vast network of EDI capable companies. In addition, you can access your WebEDI account from any location that has a browser and access to the internet.
Best of all, the upgrade to WebEDI 2.0 costs our existing customers nothing. Since WebEDI is a centralized application with no distribution expenses, our customers receive the upgrade and the great features at no cost. DataTrans will continue to enhance WebEDI in the future to insure our customers have the most efficient EDI and business-to-business tools for their operations. Contact DataTrans to see a demo of the new WebEDI! If you have not been upgraded to WebEDI 2.0 and would like to migrate, please contact DataTrans support.
To find out more click here or e-mail us for a free consultation at info@datatrans-inc.com. Also, feel free to run through our on-line demo of WebEDI at www.datatrans-inc.com.
|
Softshare ECS 5.0: Released!
Softshare ECS (Electronic Commerce Server) is a comprehensive client/server e-commerce solution utilizing the major methods of securely communicating over the Internet. ECS handles all the document routing and workflow, alerting, data communications and reporting that are necessary to setup an automated EDI and B2B solution. For more information on the capabilities of this great EDI & B2B solution please see the online ECS brochure.
The latest release of ECS, ECS 5.0 contains many substantial enhancements that will improve your EDI operations and access to your EDI environment. Here are a few of the enhancements the have been included in this latest release of ECS:
- WebECS - Web based access to ECS capabilities for remote management of your EDI operations and environment.
- Improved document centric view in DataAdmin - Currently the Data Administrator in ECS 4.1 has a document view into the repository, but in ECS 5.0 this document view will be more intuitive to any user familiar with an e-mail application. Sender/Receiver columns are changed to "From" and "To." Similarly, the Type column to "Subject" and the Created column is changed to "Date." All this is done to simulate the e-mail paradigm. With the new EDI Notepad the system will also now be able to give the user the HTML rendered view of the EDI, again making the document-centric view as human-friendly as possible.
- Improved real-time Web Services to increase the efficiency of high speed commerce. A new Synchronous HTTP Input Path with a type of "Immediate” is added. The real reward is for customers who want to send a response quickly, and then map business payload after. This allows ECS to send a response immediately after data comes in, and the payload is spun off separately and processed after (probably using a Control Map) so that the trading partner at the other end doesn't have to wait for the processing.
- Almost everything can be stored in the repository instead of on the file system. Currently in ECS 4.1, much of the data is actually stored on the file system and not in the ECS repository. With ECS 5.0, the user can move batches and the content into the repository. Having everything in one place will help when doing SQL server replication to ensure redundancy of data. Some things, such as Delta maps and data links, will remain on the file system, but any data coming into ECS can go into the repository if so desired.
- The next version will have enabled ECS and Delta to keep track of related batches and documents - A new tab will be added to the bottom pane of the Data Administrator where the view will display a sequence of related messages as well as indicate direction of flow as related to or from the ECS server.
- The Event Rule Criteria screen will allow the user to use the "OR" option. Currently multiple match criteria act as AND cases, namely, ALL must be true for event rule to match and process.
- On failed translation event rules, ECS will now send errors with the alert message.
Contact DataTrans for details and information on upgrading to ECS version 5.0. As always, companies currently under maintenance receive a 50 % discount on the upgrade price. Contact DataTrans Sales for details.
|
Which EDI Solution is best for your situation?
Fortunately, companies that want to (or are asked to) implement EDI have several different options to choose from. As with other technologies, there is not one solution that fits all companies. DataTrans provides three classifications of EDI solutions to its customers. Each is designed to fit a particular company’s size and situation.
- WebEDI - DataTrans WebEDI is a simple, but powerful web-based application which allows customers to become EDI capable in a very short period of time. The only requirement is that the customer has access to the Internet.
- Hosted EDI - This solution allows a company to integrate the EDI process into their internal applications (such as Accounting or ERP systems) while still having DataTrans actually manage the EDI process. Again, no software is required. Hosted EDI is typically for higher volume customers.
- EDI Software - DataTrans offers the most powerful EDI software solutions available on the market today. Delta and ECS make a powerful combination to address all EDI, B2B and other e-Commerce requirements. EDI software is typically for companies that have higher volume of EDI messages, have a need to integrate to internal applications and have the IT staff to support the EDI process internally.
The Following graphic shows in general term which solution(s) is appropriate for different companies based on their volume.
DataTrans provides all three types of EDI services and the flexibility to move from one solution to another as a company grows and their needs change. Contact DataTrans today for a recommendation on the best EDI solution for your situation.
|
Why Consider a Hosted EDI solution
There are several different options and approaches a company can choose from when deciding to become EDI capable these days. Many of those options are inexpensive and easily to implement. This current EDI environment is quite different than 7 or so years ago. Previously a company had to invest in expensive EDI software and had to maintain the staff to manage the EDI process. Now, even the smallest company can easily afford to become EDI capable.
For many companies, EDI Outsourcing or Hosted EDI may be the best solution. Typically, this provides all of the benefits of buying EDI software with significantly less expenses. In addition, the implementation time to move the EDI process to production is usually much quicker. So if a company has an internal application (such as an accounting or ERP system), but they do not have the staff to manage the EDI process internally, Hosted EDI is a viable option. Thus Hosted EDI allows for an integrated EDI environment to tie into internal applications without the upfront expense of EDI software, training and support.
Companies trying to make a decision on the appropriate EDI solution should determine if it is cost effective and a proper use of company resources to engage in the EDI process directly. They should also determine options for handling any internal and external EDI requirements. Integrated EDI can still be achieved without bringing the EDI process in-house through solutions like DataTrans’ Hosted EDI. The Hosted EDI option comes with an expense that will vary with the business cycles. So EDI expenses will be low in months with low business activity (thus fewer EDI messages) and higher in months with higher business activity. Bringing EDI in-house with EDI software is more of a fixed expense. So variable versus fixed expense is another consideration in making this decision.
EDI is also a technical, specific and somewhat cryptic method of communicating that does require some training and experience. It involves specific data communications methods that require either value added network (VAN) accounts or Internet based communications methods, such as AS2. EDI also involves translation and mapping of data from a very cryptic format (EDI standards such as X12 or Edifact) to a format that the company can use internally. All of these different components of EDI require a specific technical training or knowledge.
Some of the benefits choosing Hosted EDI as an alternative include:
- A variable expense setup for the EDI process
- Immediate access to EDI expertise without hiring or training internal personnel
- Lower upfront (and many times on-going) costs
- Integrated EDI solutions that ties to your applications
- Reliability: Access to a established, constantly monitored EDI environment
- No software to purchase and no annual software maintenance fees.
Contact DataTrans for a free evaluation of the best solution for your situation. Since we offer three different types of EDI solutions (EDI Software, Hosted EDI and WebEDI) our recommendations are unbiased towards a particular solution. A series of questions regarding your situation will allow us to quickly determine whether Hosted EDI is the best solution for your situation. Contact DataTrans at info@datatrans-inc.com for more information or call us at 800-469-0877.
|
|
|
DataTrans Solutions, Inc.
25325 Borough Park Dr. Suite 100
The Woodlands, TX 77380
|
|
