IoT and EDI

The number of smart devices or ‘things’—from thermostats to refrigerators to clothing—is growing rapidly thanks to a huge demand from consumers and organizations alike. Gartner predicts that by 2020, about 26 billion smart products will be in service and McKinsey Global Institute further predicts that these smart devices, or the ‘Internet of Things (IoT)’ as they have commonly been called, have the potential to add $6.2 Trillion to the global economy by 2025.

The IoT will increasingly require ways to transfer data from smart devices without human intervention. Manufacturers and/or distributors of these smart products should be able to work with third party data service providers to address issues of data integration, analysis and management to the end user. These third party service providers, such as EDI providers, could play a critical role in helping manufacturers and/or distributors make the most of the IoT. EDI technology allows for the seamless transfer of data between applications without human touch. This in turn benefits the manufacturer of the smart device by allowing for larger volumes of data to be exchanged securely, rapidly and without error. 

It remains to be seen how the IoT will develop over the next ten years or so, but one thing is for certain, EDI in whatever form or shape it may take, could have a very relevant part to play in securely transferring the data from the ‘things’ to their end users!

For further information on EDI and integrating your data call B2BGateway on +1 401 491 9595 / +353 61 708533 or email Sales@B2BGateway.Net  www.B2BGateway.Net  

EDI Value Add – It’s Not Just All About Orders & Invoices!

Although the main backbone of EDI is exchanging electronic orders and invoices between trading partners, there is so much more value add that a well-functioning EDI solution can give the user. Here is just a small selection of some of the solutions that EDI can deliver and the extra value they give the user:

When and where will my goods be delivered (EDI 856)? The Advance Ship Notice EDI 856 enables the sender to describe the contents and configuration of a shipment in various levels of detail. The goal of the ASN is to provide information to the destination's receiving operations well in advance of delivery. The ASN delivers value add to the user in 3 distinct areas: cost, accuracy, and flexibility.

How much stock can I sell (EDI 846)? The Inventory Update EDI 846 informs trading partners on goods on hand and in stock. This document tends to be traded frequently and brings value add in that the seller can remove out of stock items from their listings.

Where are my goods now (EDI 214)? The Transportation Carrier Shipment Status Message EDI 214 can be used by shippers to let trading partners know of the progress of goods in transit.

How do I know I got paid (EDI 820)? The Payment Order/Remittance Advice EDI 820 is sent by an organization to a supplier when payment is made, especially in the case of an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). The value add here is that it provides suppliers with the ability to reconcile which invoices have been paid in full for any given payment.

How much did we sell today in….(EDI 852)? The Product Activity Data EDI 852 can be used by retailers to let distributors and suppliers what goods were sold at a given time period and in what location. The value add is that suppliers can plan and ship accordingly to meet their customers’ needs.

I want my shelves constantly stocked, but I don’t want the hassle of remembering to order: EDI can help retailers but a working Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) solution in place where the onus is on the supplier to have the retailers’ shelves constantly stocked at an agreed level.

For further information on value add EDI solutions please contact B2BGateway today at +1 (401) 491-9595 (US), +353 61 708533 (EU) or email Sales@B2BGateway.Net  You can also visit us online at www.B2BGateway.Net

Amazon encourages Vendors to implement EDI and SSCC Labels to avoid upcoming No Carton Label Content Chargebacks.

In recent correspondence to vendors and solution providers, Amazon have outlined the steps that vendors should take in order to avoid the upcoming No Carton Content Level Charge-backs which will be introduced on January 1^st, 2015. According to Amazon, becoming EDI compliant and introducing SSCC/GS1-128 Labels will greatly help to avoid the upcoming charge-backs of $5 per non-compliant carton. A copy of the correspondence is detailed below:

“Dear Amazon Vendor,

In December 2013, we announced new labeling and ASN (Advanced Shipment Notification) requirements, whereby we require all vendors to provide ASNs and carton (package) labels to communicate carton content information. In the March 2014 newsletter, we provided vendors with another reminder and asked vendors to be compliant with these requirements by August 31st, 2014.
As a next step, we will be introducing the No Carton Content Label chargeback. This chargeback will apply when cartons (packages) in your shipment do not have carton content labels with the required information: PO number in both text and Code39 or Code128 barcode form, ASIN, ISBN, UPC, or EAN, Number of units in carton, Expiration date (if applicable), Lot number (if applicable).
Although you may receive notifications about this chargeback as of October 7th, 2014, the charge will be waived through December 31st, 2014. As of January 1st, 2015 we will be enforcing a $5 chargeback per each non-compliant carton (package).
To comply with our policy, you must affix one of the following to each carton (package) in your shipment:
1) SSCC labels (most preferred) - EDI vendors using document 856 can use the SSCC labels to meet the above requirements. We have revised the EDI 856 Technical Specifications document in the Vendor Central Resource Center so that vendors can start providing expiration date and lot number details. If you are not currently using the 856 document, we recommended that you start using it to meet our carton content label requirements. If you are not set up to use EDI, we recommended looking into this option in order to use SSCC labels to comply with this policy.
2) 2D barcode shipping labels - If you're already using the GS1 specifications to generate a 2D barcode, you may continue to do so. We will accept all 2D Barcode shipping labels that meet the GS1-128 standards. If you have not invested in the GS1-128 standards and want to provide us the required information via a 2D barcode, you can also use one of the following formats (in order of preference):

• PDF417 - Besides being an industry standard and one of the speediest formats to read, there is no character limit on this format.
• Data matrix
• QR Code
• Maxi - this has a 93 character limit.

For specifications with illustrative examples, download the North American Shipment Guidelines in the Vendor Central Resource Center, open the NA_Vendor_Prep_and_Trans_Manual.pdf file, and go to the "BPS (Barcode Packing Slips) - 2D barcode shipping labels" section.
3) The redesigned Shipments feature in Vendor Central offers an option to print the required information at the carton (package) level and will be linked to an AMZNCC (Amazon container code) barcode label. To access this feature, sign in to Vendor Central and go to Orders > Shipments.
Note: Labels printed via the Shipments feature in Vendor Central will include the required PO information. If you use one of the other two options, ensure that the labels include the required PO information, or print a separate PO label from the Orders > Purchase Orders feature. “


If you would like further information on how B2BGateway’s EDI and Label solutions can help you avoid the upcoming Amazon Chargebacks, please call +1 401 491 9595 / +353 61 708533 or email Sales@B2BGateway.Net

Life gets much Suite-r in EMEA for NetSuite

NetSuite recently held its first client and partner conference in London. The conference called SuiteConnect UK was based at clients, partners, developers and prospects based in the EMEA region. The opening keynote was given by CEO Zach Nelson and CTO and co-founder Evan Goldberg. During the keynote both speakers promised a greater commitment to grow and support new business in the EMEA region and this was evidenced in over 700 attendees showing up on the day when only 500 were originally expected.

Nelson spoke about NetSuite’s increased focus on the UK and European markets, saying business in Europe grew 100 percent in 2013 and citing the recent acquisition of London-based commerce firm Venda as a case in point. “Our investment in Venda this year was about investing in domain expertise in Europe. It was our largest acquisition to date. It’s bringing our companies together and getting us to focus on the next great opportunity for growth, and that’s Europe” said Nelson.

There will also soon be announcements about two in-region data centers. The locations of these have yet to be decided, but it seems likely that Germany or Switzerland may be the fore-runners.

Throughout out the day attendees were able to attend breakout sessions on some of the market verticals where NetSuite excels such as Wholesale Distribution, Manufacturing, Retail and Professional Services.

As NetSuite’s longest serving EDI partner, B2BGateway were delighted to be present on the day to meet existing EMEA clients and partners and to demonstrate our cloud based, fully integrated EDI solutions to new prospects.

It looks as if life will certainly be much suite-r for NetSuite EMEA over the coming months! 

For further information on B2BGateway’s fully integrated EDI and Omni-Channel solutions for NetSuite please call +353 61 708533 / +1 401 491 9595 or email Sales@B2BGateway.Net