Loblaws is one of Canada's largest retail grocery chains. For over seven years, Faxinating Solutions has been providing Loblaws with a number of data integration and translation services. These services enable Loblaws to maintain 100% EDI-compliancy with their suppliers, many of whom do not even have a computer.
The combination of Faxinating's exAct® and EDI2FAX services enable Loblaws to send out EDI purchase orders, sales forecasts and error reports to their non-EDI suppliers and receive invoices in EDI format from these same suppliers.
How Outbound EDI Works
EDI Purchase Orders and other outbound transactions are sent by Loblaws to Faxinating Solutions via EDI.
Once Faxinating receives these EDI documents, the automated workflow determines each document's receipient (the supplier) and their preferred method of communication (fax or exAct® software).
The workflow processes convert the EDI document into the required supplier format (fax report or exAct® data file), then it is sent to the supplier by Fax, or though a direct Internet connection.
Receiving the exAct® Purchase Order
For suppliers using exAct®, Purchase Orders are received directly by their exAct® software once they log into the system. The new orders appear in their main transaction list. Here they are able to view them and print them off.
How Inbound EDI Works Using exAct®
Loblaws requires all inbound transactional data, such as Invoices, to be sent via EDI. This can pose a problem for non-EDI suppliers who lack the technology. Using the exAct® software, these suppliers are able to send Loblaws their invoices via EDI.
Suppliers use the exAct® software to create Loblaws invoices either by "turning around" the Purchase Orders received by them or by entering them from scratch. Within exAct®, these are very easy processes.
Once the invoice has been created, the supplier clicks Send, and its transmitted to Faxinating through a secure Internet connection. Faxinating receives the information, stores it, verifies it and logs it. Then it is converted into an EDI document and transferred to Loblaws for processing.
Status & Error Reports
Transactional statuses, acknowledgments and error reports generated by Loblaws are sent to Faxinating via EDI. Once received, the automated workflow creates reports and sends them back to the supplier via the exAct® software.
Conclusion
Using Faxinating's exAct® software and service, Loblaws suppliers are able to be 100% EDI-compliant, without even knowing what EDI stands for! They receive and transmit transactional information according to Loblaws EDI requirements, without having to implement EDI standards or make the necessary investments in hardware, software and personnel.
exAct® is a cost-effective way to ensure EDI or AS2 compliancy among your trading partners. What's more it can improve turnaround time and reduce the amount of data-entry errors. In short, exAct® can transform your business. For more information or to schedule a free demonstration, contact our sales team at 1-800-282-6283 Ext. 232 |
