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DataTrans Dispatch |
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| July, 2006 |
Volume 3, Number 2 |
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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
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DataTrans Solutions continues to improve and expand the capabilities of its web-based EDI solution, DataTrans WebEDI. WebEDI allows companies to become EDI capable and begin working with trading partners in as quickly as one day. Not only can DataTrans’ customers exchange typical retail EDI transaction sets such as the purchase order (850), Invoice (810) and Advanced Ship Notice (856), there are also over 30 other EDI documents that can be used with WebEDI.
DataTrans also is constantly adding on connections to new “Hubs” or larger companies that require EDI from their trading partners. This allows for easier and more streamlined connections to the companies that you need to connect to. Some of the most recent Hubs we have connected to include: Costco, Supervalu, Do It Best, Nash Finch, Hudson Bay, Spartan Stores, C & S Wholesale Grocers, and Micro Center.
We have also made some recent changes to the WebEDI forms to make the processing of creating ASN (856) and Invoice (810) EDI messages more efficient for the user.
The ASN change provides for an easier method of generating packs and duplicating the line items to associate each pack. It allows for easy distribution of line items between different packs and the ability to easily split line items between several packs. This simplifies the ASN generation process and brings it more in line with the actual process of shipping product that WebEDI users undergo.
The change to the WebEDI Invoice form (810) allows for a simpler process of generating multiple invoices for one purchase order. Many times our customers will invoice products from one PO at different times. Although in previous versions of WebEDI one could create multiple invoices per PO, the process was somewhat cumbersome. The new procedure for selecting or deleting line items which go on an invoice response makes the creation of invoices simpler and more straight forward.
DataTrans is constantly making improvements and modifications to WebEDI to allow our customers to be more efficient in their operations. Not only does WebEDI allow companies to become EDI capable quickly, but the system actually contains business logic. This makes the use of WebEDI a familiar part of your business and validates messages according to trading partner specifications. Look for much more to come in the future. DataTrans is currently working on the next full version of WebEDI. This version will have many major advances in functionality and other improvements. We will have more on the next version of WebEDI in future newsletters. DataTrans WebEDI makes EDI intuitive, simple and efficient for all companies.
To find out more click here or e-mail us for a free consultation at info@datatrans-inc.com.
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Softshare is planning to release ECS 5.0 in September, 2006. This new release will contain new features designed to improve the functionality of customers’ EDI and B2B environment. There are also many features which make ECS more intuitive and utilize web and internet technologies to a greater degree. Here are some of the features which will be available in ECS 5.0:
- WebECS – provides for a new web-based interface to view, process and keep track of your EDI data from any location that has access to the internet. This is currently Beta testing to make sure it is ready for the unveiling in September.
- 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, we will change 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 we 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, similar to Vista.
- Improved real-time Web Services to increase the efficiency of high speed commerce. We will add a new Synchronous HTTP Input Path with a type of "Immediate.” 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 Softshare client’s 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.
- New Softshare network connection Merlin to facilitate interaction with Softshare’s VAN - The Merlin will ask for things such as Username (mailbox), Password, and Protocol (HTTP, SMTP/POP3, FTP). The Merlin will then fill in Server Information based on the selection. Please note that this Merlin will not support setting up AS2 with the Softshare network. A client can instead use the existing AS2 Merlin for that.
- We 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.
- In the Event Rule Criteria screen, we 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.
ECS 5.0 upgrade pricing will be discounted 50% for ECS/Delta customers who are current on their annual maintenance. To find out more about pricing and how to upgrade, please contact DataTrans at info@datatrans-inc.com or 800-469-0877 option 1. (Source: Softshare Newsletter June, 2006).
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The Internet continues to have a profound effect on all aspects of our lives and the way we conduct business. The Internet is also having an impact on EDI. More and more EDI is utilizing the internet as the communications method of choice. There has been a misconception by many people with technical backgrounds that EDI was an older, inflexible technology that required third party networks or VANs (Value Added Networks) in order to communicate EDI messages. This perspective is based on a lack of understanding of EDI and its components.
Although in the past EDI has used VAN’s as a method of communicating messages, this use is not mandatory. EDI actually has a couple of components or layers that can be separated. First, there is the translation layer. This consists of mapping and translation to convert EDI messages to and from data standards. These data standards can be thought of as a common language which allow computer systems of different companies to communicate. This mapping and translation process is what bridges the gap between internal data format and EDI data standards.
The next layer is the communications layer. In order for one company to receive a message from another company, there has to be an agreed on method of communicating the data. Long ago when EDI was just getting started, third party networks or VAN’s were established as the preferred method of exchanging EDI messages. This was prior to the advent of the Internet as the ubiquitous communication network it has become.
The current EDI model provides clear distinction of the data translation layer and the communication layer. Companies can decide which communications method best meets their needs. EDI through the internet continues to grow at a tremendous rate. As companies with significant EDI transaction volume push their partners to go through the internet to exchange messages. An example of this is Wal-Mart’s mandate requiring their suppliers to use “AS2” to communicate with them. AS2 is a secure form of communicating EDI messages through the internet. It is based on HTTP protocols and EDI-INT (EDI Interoperability) standards for securely communicating EDI messages over the internet. AS2 is the most popular method of communicating EDI messages over the internet. However, it is not the only one. Others include FTP (secured or unsecured), SMTP, AS1 and AS3 (Similar to AS2 using different communications protocols).
Even with the big push to move to EDI through the internet, VAN communications remains a practical option in certain circumstances. Many of the ”EDI over the internet” communications methods require specific software which is expensive. AS2 communications software costs $1000 and up. Once you have this software installed, someone has to take the time to maintain it and there is an annual maintenance fee associated with using the software. For smaller volume companies, VAN’s may actually be a simpler and more affordable option. The reliance of VANs as the main method of communicating EDI messages has diminished due to internet communications. However, they will continue to be a reliable and viable option for many companies.
DataTrans Solutions products and services utilize both VAN’s and the various EDI through the Internet options, including AS1, AS2, AS3, FTP, and SMTP. Look to DataTrans for comprehensive EDI solutions, regardless of your trading partners’ requirements.
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(Revised and reprinted from the Feb. 2005 Newsletter)
RFID or Radio Frequency Identification is not a new technology. It was actually discovered as part of radar technology development during World War II. However, the technology has recently become more interesting and practical. This is primarily due to the shrinking size and lower cost of the microchip "Transponders" and Wal-Mart’s recent mandate to top tiered suppliers to begin using RFID.
RFID is part of a group of technologies that allow for automatic identification of objects or people. It includes similar types of technologies such as bar codes, optical character readers and retinal scans. This group is appropriately called “Automatic Identification” or Auto ID.
RFID consists of a Transponder, which is a radio frequency tag that is electronically programmed with unique information (such as product identification information) and Readers or interrogators which send signals to the transponder and “read” the information contained within the tag.
One of the interesting aspects of RFID is that it is a potential replacement for traditional shipping labels used to identify pallets or cartons of products. The real benefit of RFID compared to shipping labels with bar codes is that RFID does not rely on “line of sight” to be effective. In other words, there is no need to scan a pallet of product to read the contents; the pallet can simply pass through a Reader to gather the information. Readers can be integrated into shipping doors of a warehouse for greater efficiency in the shipping and receiving processes. This allows for less labor intensive tracking of product from shipper to receiver and throughout the product lifecycle.
So what does this have to do with B2B or EDI? In the future, the writing and reading of product information transmitted from the RFID tag may be integrated into the EDI messaging process. This would allow for the writing out of product information to the RFID tag information from the Advance Ship Notice (856) message as the product is shipped. Thus, the outbound 856 would contain the product information that matches the RFID tag so that the recipient receives the appropriate information. The same EDI transaction sets will continue to be used. In the future RFID may have an impact on how Manufacturers and Suppliers ship product and generate Advance Ship Notices (856). Rather than generating the typical UCC-128 shipping label, suppliers may need to utilize RFID tags or “smart labels”, which are shipping labels that have the microchip RFID imbedded in the label. However, this is not an immediate requirement or concern. It will take several more years for the price of the RFID tags to come down to the point to make this technology to be practical throughout the supply chain.
As mentioned earlier, Wal-Mart recently had a deadline for 100 of its top suppliers to begin using RFID in all pallets of products shipped to the company. Wal-Mart will continue pushing this new technology down to the next level of suppliers in the coming years. Although most companies do not have to immediately be concerned about implementing RFID, it helps to understand the potential impact in the future.
Contact DataTrans for more information: e-mail: sales@datatrans-inc.com or call 800-469-0877 ext. 105.
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DataTrans Solutions, Inc.
25325 Borough Park Dr. Suite 100
The Woodlands, TX 77380
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