BUSINESS
Eircom launches new EDI service
04-12-2000
by Aoidin Scully
Eircom net has launched a new low-cost Web-based EDI (electronic data interchange) service geared specifically towards the needs of small and medium sized businesses.
EDI tradefast enables companies to exchange standard business documents with partners who have a low frequency of transactions. Users visit the Web site and use the forms-based service to exchange invoices, shipping documents and order forms with other businesses in the supply chain.
"Most companies with a substantial supplier base already use EDI technology. EDI has often proved expensive and complex, especially for small suppliers. EDI tradefast is low cost solution, which enables a company to extend the reach of electronic trading to its smaller suppliers through the Internet," said Aidan Finnegan, Director of Corporate Business, Eircom multimedia.
The new service translates EDI documents into HTML and partners can collect them on-line in their tradefast virtual mailbox.
Food distributor, Musgrave Group, is the first business in Ireland to implement the new technology. The company handles two and a half million invoices each year, has 900 suppliers, over 500 SuperValu and Centra franchise stores, 35,000 Musgrave Cash and Carry customers and a turnover of IEP1.4 billion. Of these 900 suppliers, approximately 450 would have been previously below the threshold to justify EDI installation and maintenance costs. The suppliers will pay IEP600 startup fee and IEP600 a year for 60 messages sent a month.
"Cost is a big factor for our smaller companies. With traditional EDI, you need to invest in software, get it installed, buy the modules and carry out the integration work. Once EDI tradefast is up and running, suppliers and customers enjoy greater efficiencies both in the supply and payment cycles," said Brian Mahony, Director of IT at Musgrave Group.
He added that Musgrave's ultimate goal is to trade electronically with its entire supplier base.
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