Supply Chain Solutions jumps onboard the TIE Kinetix VAN
About Supply Chain Solutions
Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. is a progressive-thinking supply chain management and improvement group headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. was founded on the understanding that many organizations aspire to implement effective supply chain improvements, quickly and affordably. The SCS difference is a streamlined infrastructure, disciplined operational processes and real world experience that delivers results. Lean thinking and low overhead enable SCS to address needs quickly, implement solutions faster and provide a greater return on investment.
Challenge
Focused on delivering complete supply chain efficiency to its customers, Supply Chain Solution’s (SCS) warehouse management services help control inbound inventory for its clients to actively make their production schedules more efficient.
In early 2007 SCS noticed many of its customers trading partners were taking advantage of the reducing cost of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. These same partners were starting to require the use of partner communications via EDI, as EDI is commonly bundled within with these same ERP solutions. SCS chose to handle many aspects of these EDI requirements themselves, but needed a proven VAN provider to remain compliant.
Solution
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is a standard for exchanging information between computer systems.
A VAN (Value Added Network) is a secure private network where trading partners can send and receive EDI documents.
SCS reviewed a number of VAN service providers, but found it packaged with other EDI related services. “We needed a pure VAN service, with no excess baggage. No providers offered that, other than TIE Kinetix.” Said Supply Chain Solutions Information Systems Development Director, Lashan Abbey.
TIE Kinetix offers many flexible options for companies to manage their EDI and Business Integration needs via licensed based and managed service solutions, but also recognizes the need of some customers requiring only the VAN service without any other bundled services.
TIE Direct Connect Services is available for customers who would like to add a secure network (VAN) to their E-Commerce system or for those who wish to outsource their EDI/XML activities. TIE has the flexibility to get companies connected to their partners in a way that suits their business best.
“We’ve enjoyed working with TIE, and have had no service issues whatsoever”, says Lashan adding, “Any support calls we’ve put in were handled instantaneously.” Working with as many as 30 trading partners at different times, SCS relies on the TIE Direct Connect Services (VAN) to manage the flow of information, payments and shared value-added business processes throughout its global business partner community.
TIE Direct Connect Services Features
Connectivity via Value Added Networks, Internet, telephone networks and other communications
Any-to-any translation into standard and proprietary formats
Extended archiving
Trading community management
Trading partner supply chain software and services
Management of industry specific inter-company business processes that are shared by a trading community
Global presence and expertise in integrating and managing complex technologies
Deep and broad industry expertise helps support industry regulations and mandates
Quick participation in the trading partner community with flexible, transparent pricing options
Results
“It’s very unusual that what you put on the box, is what you get, without the fluff or extras. TIE provides us with a service that fits the exact requirement that we had in mind, and it’s lived up to much more than expectations,” states Lashan.
TIE's Direct Connect Service addresses the challenges of exchanging critical business data between and within organizations. Highly scalable and secure, TIE’s services enable each member of your trading community to share any type of business information - rapidly, accurately, cost-effectively and confidentially. With TIE’s Direct Connect Service you can achieve greater collaboration between trading partners in the supply chain, increased efficiency, and reduced costs.
The highly scalable nature of TIE Kinetix Business Integration solutions is not lost on SPS: “It is reassuring to know if we wanted to step into something more, like TIE’s EDI for Managed Service solution, we know that it is available.”