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816 Organizational Relationship (Store Listings)

The 816 Organizational Relationship Integration for MAPADOC Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 allows companies to update or add ship-to locations to the AR Customer Master ship to files.

The integration will handle two types of 816 documents: Store Listings and DC/Store Relationship Listings. Store Listings will be used to add new ship-to codes to the system or update existing ones. Store Listing processing will also add cross-reference records if this customer is using a ship-to cross-reference table. If the end user has each store location set up as a different customer in AR, this integration will set up each store location as its own customer. The DC/Store Relationship listing will be used to update existing ship to codes with their corresponding DC (either using the UDF_DC or the fax number field).

The 816 setup options will allow the user to enter the next 4-digit ship-to code to be used, which will be incremented each time a new ship to location is added. If the user has each store location setup as its own AR account, the set up options will allow the user to enter a 3-digit customer number prefix. This will be used to assign the customer number. The 3-digit prefix assigned, combined with the 4-digit store number assigned, will be the new AR account number.

During processing, a report will be generated detailing the changes and/or additions made. We currently have clients using this document for their Walmart and BBB trading partners.

For more information contact Gary Berman of call 973-758-6104.

EDI Going Mobile

Moving EDI data around the globe is old hat to most of the folks reading this ec-bp newsletter. Managing the connections and translations can get complex and picky when it comes to the details of the files and the changes that need to be incorporated into translators to make processes flow properly. For most EDI practitioners, their roles are fairly well defined and fit well with established concepts. But as computing devices become more pervasive and processing power more available, I think the line between what is EDI and what is associated with end user interaction is changing.

Our survey about using portable devices from a couple months ago indicated some interesting trends. Like the rest of the population, the majority (76%) of respondents indicated that they carried some kind of smart phone or tablet with them when they were away from their work location. That means that those folks have at least the capacity to access their data and applications if it were important to do so.

At the same time, 88% indicated that they did not connect to their supply chain systems using these devices. It could be that they never found it necessary to do so, or that they didn't want to be bothered with work issues while they were away. But I believe the issue has more to do with having the proper applications in place to easily and quickly connect to their systems.

In fact, the survey asked respondents if they thought their mobile devices would be good tools to connect to their EDI systems, and 51% indicated that if a appropriate application were available, they would make use of it. Interestingly, an additional 28% said that if their EDI systems were Internet-based, they would access them via their portable devices. Taken together, 79% would consider accessing their supply chain systems if they had access to the proper tools.

But is there really a reason to extend access beyond the company firewall? If every transaction processes correctly, and all systems work as they should, there is little reason to access these systems. But the reality is that there are always issues to be managed. 68% of respondents to his survey said yes to the question, "Do you believe there are advantages to accessing EDI/supply chain information when you're away from your desk?"

As mobile apps become more commonplace, forward thinking EDI providers and the companies that use them will see the demand for these apps from their users. Even if the apps deliver low levels of functionality for status checking and minor management tasks, not having these extensions to their systems will eventually be seen as missing features.

Source: Scott Koegler, ec-bp eCommerce Best Practices

Retailer Compliance News

Family Dollar

Notification of EDI Translator Change for Family Dollar – October 2011
During October 2011, the Family Dollar eCommerce Team is converting our existing EDI translator to the new IBM/Sterling Integrator 5.1. The conversion will require minimal changes from the partner community. The new platform and version will provide Family Dollar with greater throughput and reporting capacity required to support the increasing transaction volume. Please read below to determine if any action is required on your behalf to successfully complete the migration.

If you utilize a VAN or 3rd Party Processing Service (SPS, Edict, TrueCommerce, etc.): For partners who utilize a VAN or other 3rd party service, there is no change required to complete the migration to the new Family Dollar system. We do ask partners to be vigilant in monitoring for expected transactions and 997 acknowledgments during this period.

If you have Direct AS2 Communication with Family Dollar: For partners with a direct AS2 connection to Family Dollar, our communication team will coordinate connectivity testing to the new production system. The conversion will require a new URL and the installation of a new certificate.

Questions or Concerns? Please feel free to reach out to the EDI team for any questions or concerns you may have: EDI@Familydollar.com

We will continue to send updated communications to inform you of the conversion status throughout the migration period. Thank you for your continued support of the Family Dollar eCommerce initiatives.

MAPADOC Classroom Training 
The next MAPADOC Classroom Training classes are being offered in our Livingston, New Jersey training center or on-line.

General Training
November 28-29, 2011

The two-day MAPADOC class will provide you with hands-on training for setting up new maps, creating trading partners and day-to-day operations of the MAPADOC EDI solution.
Click here to register

ASN Training
November 30, 2011

This one-day class extends your knowledge of the MAPADOC EDI solution by providing an understanding of Advanced Ship Notices (ASN) and how they fit into your EDI process.
Click here to register

Click here to view the full MAPADOC Training Center schedule.