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Updated:09/19/2008 Copyright © 1996-2008 Skip Stein
New Service Offering: Full Remote EDI Support
Please Read the following white papers available:
EDI Definition and Overview
EDI Impact on ERP System Implementation
EDI Solutions - Issues for Commercial Enterprise.
Co-existence of Traditional EDI with XML-EDI
EDI Cost Justification Worksheet
EDI & HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act
Solution Approach
We are experienced in a number of EDI and other electronic data exchange systems, including Sterling Software’s Connect: Direct (NDM), Sterling Gentran, Inovis/Harbinger/TLE/Premenos, IPNet, Softshare, 1EDI Source, Boomi, and other EDI Transaction Mapping Systems. Mainframe, Midrange, and PC based platforms have been successfully implemented in a variety of industries including retail, distribution, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing. Data exchange interface communications can be established by utilizing Value Added Network (VAN) services, Company Intranet, or Global Internet services as well as point to point communications linkage.
We have worked with most prevalent transaction sets, including ANSI X12, X12N (HIPAA), Tradacoms (UK), EDIFACT (EU), XML (various) and other variations. We have applied these transactions in transportation, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, wholesale/retail, shipping & distribution, healthcare, electronics and other industries around the world.
Project History
Managed the establishment of EDI Services for a West Coast transportation company; establishing EDI operations with both in-house (Boomi) and outsourced transaction management companies. Integrated accounting and transportation systems to third party billing and transportation scheduling companies using PowerTrack, FreightDATA, and other systems.
Project Manager and Coordinator for a major mid-South heavy equipment manufacturer for a new implementation of JD Edwards World 9.1 electronic transaction processing efforts to automate inbound order processing, outbound invoicing and outbound supplier order processing and invoice payment processes. Trained staff and documented procedures for revised business processes to accommodate the automation of order and procurement business processes.
Design and implement inbound EDI three way invoice matching processing for a large distribution company. Worked the procure to pay business cycle and re-engineered procurement and invoice payment processing. Establish electronic payment processing to replace ‘paper checks’ to expedite payment processing. Set up JD Edwards to accept inbound EDI invoices for documents EDI 110, 210 and 810. Initiated remittance advice transmission to suppliers (EDI 820) for invoice payments.
Conducted an analytical review and developed a requirements plan to migrate a national manufacturing company from a heavily modified JD Edwards XE system to Oracle Enterprise One 8.12 (JDE). In addition the electronic processing interface was analyzed and the immediate production failures were temporarily remediated; with a plan for a more permanent solution to be implemented with the migration to E1 8.12.
Coordinate and manage the conversion of EDI resources and Order to Cash processing from a JD Edwards World to Oracle Enterprise One ERP system. Worked with deployment team to configure all E1 options and configurations for manufacturing, distribution and finance. Developed comprehensive data analysis and mapping for all transaction processing. Configured shipping and labeling systems in conjunction with Data Systems International (DSI) programs.
Performed a transaction analysis and developed a systems requirements plan for a division of a major hard goods supplier to implement EDI transactions for the European Division with Far East manufacturing. This transaction system was based on EDI EDIFACT and the design interface was to a JD Edwards ERP system.
Coordinated EDI and transactional interface in conjunction with an Enterprise One (JD Edwards) upgrade to release level 8.10 for a West Coast importer. Developed table/file extensions for auxiliary file processing to facilitate inbound and outbound transaction processing. Made recommendations for EDI functional capability upgrades.
Implemented the Electronic Transaction Flow Management (ETFM) system to identify and address all electronic transaction processing for an engineering parts supply company. Developed project plans for the EDI Gentran to webMethods conversion with integration to web services and order processing. Consolidate all financial order-to-cash and order-to-pay transaction activities plan and schedule.
Performed analytical reviews and developed functional and technical design specifications to coordinated hospital, clinical, radiology and laboratory systems data flows to enhance a new Deductible Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) billing processes. Coordinated between each of the subsystem teams to accelerate their data capture and process flows into an enhanced DHMO member billing process. Developed testing criteria and monitored testing and implementation. Worked with accounts receivable and adjudication functional teams to process data in a timely manner in order to produce billable results. Project anticipated return is a $1.4 million revenue increase in first six months.
Managed, coordinated and designed third party interface requirements for an integrated hard-goods manufacturer during the conversion to and implementation of JD Edwards OneWorld-XE ERP system. Architected the data flow model to coordinate all transaction interfaces between third party modules, custom designed system and JD Edwards ERP system functions. Built intranet web based documentation system to identify all data flow models, documentation and procedures and interface requirements.
Designed, planned and implemented the financial accounting control interfaces for JD Edwards accounts receivable automated cash application interfaces to process trade account payments via EDI 820 Remittance/Payment Advice transactions. Planned and set up the Accounts Payable automated account reconciliation process, procedures and financial institution data interfaces. Deployed outbound electronic payment processing for vendor payments and employee disbursements via EDI 820 Remittance/Payment Advice to financial institutions.
Managed, coordinated and implemented the EDI deployment of an International hard-goods manufacturer in conjunction with a JD Edwards OneWorld-XE implementation. Project efforts included coordination with multiple divisions across the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia and Europe. Centralization efforts of the EDI processing included a new implementation of Inovis TrustedLink with new deployments of all purchase order, shipping and invoicing related transactions (EDI 850/855/858/860, 856/858/860/861/ 810/820/828). Accounts Payable EDI/EFT (820) transactions were implemented for payment of both vendor accounts as well as internal employee accounts. Trading Partner interfaces for inbound Purchase Order, Point of Sale, and order confirmations were implemented. Outbound Advanced Ship Notices (ASN/856), Invoice (810), Remittance/Payment Advice (820) and other supporting transactions were also deployed.
Managed the HIPAA EDI data base re-engineering project for a State Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) to comply with all federal HIPAA rules that effect how health care claims and data must be processed to be HIPAA compliant. Constructed and issued a State Request for Proposal (RFP) for an EDI Translator as well as the Proposal Evaluation Documents. The data base re-engineering consisted of a structured ‘repository’ to map EDI data into and out from interfaced with the State’s existing MMIS systems.
Developed HIPAA compliant EDI processes, systems interfaces, procedures and controls for a regional health care provider with membership exceeding 170,000 and provider network of over 3,000 primary care physicians and 5,000 specialty physicians and 100 hospitals. The Erisco/Facets system is the primary support systems for benefit enrollment and records. The Gentran NT Server was utilized in conjunction with Erisco/Facets support systems to enable inbound/outbound HIPAA EDI transaction in support of HIPAA 834, 835, 837 270/271 transactions. Trained support staff and developed procedures and documentation for ongoing operations and control systems.
Assist a leading manufacturer of windows, doors and molding products to develop internal Accounts Receivable (A/R) processes to enable the receipt of ANSI X.12 EDI Remittance Advice transactions (RA820) into the JD Edwards OneWorld Accounts Receivable system. The project included building interfaces to J D Edwards (JDE) OneWorld Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) A/R system for trade customer payments and remittance data, implementing automated cash application processes for JDE OneWorld A/R and training internal resources for executing the necessary manual A/R cash application activities. The EDI interface was implemented utilizing IPNet Solutions data communications tools and Mercator transaction set mapping.
Deployed a trading partner system for a major electronics company that electronically supplies a comprehensive set of data and information to the Strategic Supplier/Partners. The Strategic Supplier/Partner utilizes this data to establish an optimized supply chain and replenishment strategy for each item to be supplied to the electronics company. The model is based on a mutually beneficial “partnership”. The Supplier/Partner is allowed certain latitudes in setting up the strategic and tactical deployment methodologies and is measured on the overall success of the model versus the more traditional customer/supplier methods and metrics. The two prime objectives of the business model are increased inventory turns while increasing the Customers’ schedule flexibility in a zero stock-out, and Supplier managed MRP environment utilizing EDI and electronic commerce. The overall program objective is to share vital information with the Supplier/Partner to allow for the transitioning of the decision-making process from within the electronics company to the supply chain link with the greatest degree of control and flexibility; the electronics distribution channel. The system was implemented utilizing IPNet eBiznessä Transact for NT and IPNet eBiznessä Map in conjunction with Oracle 8.16 and MTMS E.R.P.
Managed the deployment of a food service company’s implementation of NT Based SAP EDI for the application interface to a wholesale distribution chain. Coordinated the IDOC interface with Harbinger TLE, EDI translation software, for Purchase Order, Order Confirmation and Invoicing. Managed the application and user dialog interface to ensure accurate translation and subsequent order processing and distribution. Also coordinated the EDI processing for inter-company order fulfillment and distribution on a linked AS/400
Developed internal Accounts Receivable processes for an international household appliance manufacturer and distributor encompassing activities currently provided by a third party service. Implemented Harbinger EDI interfaces to JD Edwards A/R for trade customer payments and remittance data; established trade customer lockboxes, built an automated cash application process for JD Edwards A/R, and staffed/trained internal resources for executing the necessary manual A/R cash application activities. Project included banking lock box interfaces be developed with electronic funds transfer processing and automated remittance advice processing utilizing EDI X.12 standard transaction sets (820 & 823) with adjustment activity reported on EDI X.12 (812) transactions.
Completed a migration to Oracle based ROSS ERP systems and full implementation of Sterling Gentran NT Server EDI interfaces to national retail chains for processing purchase orders and invoicing. The project required setup and testing with multiple large national retail chain store operations and order entry systems for the manufacturing, shipment and delivery of drug and pharmacological products.
Implemented EDI capabilities and training in Europe for an International Pharmaceutical company on AS/400 platform and Harbinger EDI translation software via GEIS value added network and corporate WAN. Interfaced JD Edwards ERP software systems to European based warehouse operations and locally developed warehouse management systems. Trained project team in EDI functionality and interface standards and assisted in the development and deployment of the bridging application systems implementation. Acted as liaison project manager to USA based EDI support and development team throughout the deployment process.
Implement EDI capabilities in conjunction with JD Edwards CUM-10 upgrade. EDI facilities brought USA based manufacturing on-line with distribution and manufacturing services and support in Belgium, serving Eastern Europe. Applications integration included financial, distribution and manufacturing systems. EDI interfaces encompassed both EDIFACT and ANSI X.12 transaction standards. Communications interfaces spanned Internet, Extranet, Value Added Network (VAN) carriers and internal SNA bridging networks. Harbinger TLE and Premenos translation engines were implemented across AS/400 architecture with NT4 Server connectivity.
Install, configure and implement Gentran Server NT for a large East Coast Pharmaceutical wholesale drug manufacturing company with interfaces to Oracle EDI Gateway. Established value added network (VAN) connectivity and completed trading partner mapping and processing for ORACLE ERP System processing. Trained the staff in usage of Gentran mapping components and requirements to upgrade maps to X.12 4010 standards.
Implement Gentran Server NT for a large beverage bottling company. Manage the migration from AS/400 Premenos (System 36 version) to Gentran NT in preparation for ERP implementation of SAP R3. Develop mapping interfaces utilizing current versions of X.12 and VICS standards to major retail outlets. Train local personal in utilization, mapping and management of the system. Assist in the development of application systems interfaces to legacy systems for interim processing with a planned migration path to SAP IDOC format.
Established full Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) services for an International Pharmaceutical company using Harbinger/Premenos EDI/400 and TrustedLink Enterprise (TLE) services. This included the interface to existing AS/400 distribution systems and the JD Edwards Financial and Distribution systems at multiple international locations. EDI services were established in support of both intra-company and external trading partner relationships. Full sales order, purchase order, receipt and manifesting processes were supported as well as shipping and delivery interfaces with international freight forwarders. Both ANSI X.12 and EDIFACTS standards were utilized.
Restructured the EDI function at a billion-dollar retail company utilizing Sterling’s Gentran. The project included a complete reinstall of the Gentran Mainframe product and full re-mapping of the Trading Partner definitions and associated transaction sets. In addition, the communications gateway to the Value Added Networks (VAN’s) and the direct SNA transmission Trading Partners were restructured and brought up to date with current transmission protocols.
Analyzed the accounting and sales order entry system for a national manufacturing and distribution company of petroleum-based products to establish trading partner electronic interfaces. Selected and installed electronic data exchange (EDI) software to interface to DEC/VAX based accounting systems to map order entry and sales information to standard ANSI X.12 EDI transaction sets. Developed the necessary programs and procedures to map the trading partner transaction sets to acceptable input data formats for input into the company’s accounting systems.
Established communication systems and facilities for an international long distance carrier to exchange Billing and Collection as well as Equal Access data with USA based local and regional communications providers. Implemented an EDI system that provided communications linkage to the local exchange companies across the country to transmit billing and collection data. Installed and implemented software and hardware solutions to meet the communications requirements including a combination of leased line and switched network configurations.
Managed a major migration from midrange systems to a client server platform for a major international vacation ownership resort developer. The project encompassed the development of the business rules, migration strategy, architecture selection, contract negotiation, and implementation plan. An EDI interface was designed and developed to provide trading partner exchange data for the purpose of vacation week trades by resort owners.
Worked with a major USA based trucking and distribution company, to establish shipping and delivery schedule systems to facilitate merchandise delivery to locations across the country for the provisioning of 6000 retail stores. These systems were implemented in conjunction with LAN based accounting systems that enabled an electronic data exchange between the distribution company and the local freight consolidation points.
Coordinated the cross-divisional development and implementation of a clothing design and production order system for both domestic and Far East production for a large national retail firm. This encompassed a substantial T1 network linking the US based retail operations with the manufacturing divisional offices located outside of Boston; all of which were tied to a satellite transponder link to the Hong Kong manufacturing offices. An EDI system was developed to provided the means to specify the form and content of a garment transmit the specifications and obtain a detailed cost estimate within a 24-hour period. This resulted in the ability to design, manufacture, ship a new garment in a matter of days instead of a number of weeks, providing a significant competitive advantage.
Managed the data systems design and construction to establish a private label credit card company for a multi-billion-dollar retail company based in Columbus Ohio. The project included the re-deployment of credit processing and the establishment of a complete credit card processing center to handle multiple private label credit cards. Transactional interfaces were developed to process credit card sales transactions from retail operations for the private label credit cards as well as other bank credit cards.
Implemented and maintained Lawson financial systems, including the General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Point of Sale and Distribution modules. An EDI network was utilized to download daily credit card sales that were consolidated to a central clearing operation improving cash flow. Pricing level detail, daily sales dollars and inventory movements were exchanged with the host system using standard ASCII transmission protocols.
