Whitepapers

Fast Track to Innovation
Integrating disparate applications and automating business processes among trading partners are no longer “nice to have,” but essential to doing business in virtually every industry today. Only the largest companies have the resources to create and maintain point-to-point connections with their major trading partners. For years, midsize companies have had to make do with integrating only a few trading partners or business processes, gaining some cost efficiencies but missing out on the benefits of robust business process integration with an entire trading community.
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The Missing Link in the Retail Supply Chain
New technologies are helping large retailers to work together more extensively on a range of integration issues as integrated supply chains become increasingly critical. Still, midmarket retailers remain at a disadvantage when it comes to implementing complete B2B solutions with trading partners. Key areas where they’re falling behind include transportation management, collaborative demand planning, trade promotion management, product development and RFID.
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Speeding the Connection between Manufacturers and Suppliers
Midsize manufacturers trying to compete in global manufacturing markets like consumer electronic goods and aerospace often find themselves behind the curve when it comes to deep integration with their trading partners. They lack the technology and staff resources to establish tight supply chain linkages. This puts them at a disadvantage when trying to compete with their largest competitors, many of whom have the deep pockets and B2B expertise that until recently were needed to create point-to-point integrated solutions with their global trading networks. As a result, midsize manufacturers have struggled with more limited portals or even manual systems, often leading to increased errors, smaller price discounts, higher inventory turn rates, and late or lost invoices.
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A New Approach to B2B Connectivity
Today’s business climate of intense global competition and increased reliance on global supplier networks requires increasingly sophisticated business-to-business (B2B) connectivity. Unfortunately, many midsize manufacturers and retailers fail to keep pace with their larger competitors, often resulting in costly errors that result from relying on manual processes. A midsize retailer trying to compete with the supply-chain skills of an industry giant like Wal-Mart is a case in point.
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