EDI OPTIONS BLOG

Tricks no Treats?

2009-10-06T12:36:00.003-04:00

Halloween Forecast: Tricks no Treats?

One of the spookiest parts of Halloween this year may be the amount people plan to spend on celebrating the 31st.According to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, consumers are expected to spend an average of $56.31 on Halloween, down from $66.54 Total spending on the holiday is expected to plummet.

Like most holidays, Halloween will also be hit hard by the economic strife making this season a bit more frightful, but not in a good way. A report surfaced regarding that 71.2% households will forgo passing out candies to local children taking part in the most festive event, trick or treating.
I find this appalling to suggest that the average American or 71.2% has suffered so greatly that a few bags of candy and the cost is a deal breaker for a few dozen children ringing neighborhood doors.

Frankly I also find the decline in costumes or dressing up, even pumpkin carving will plummet so drastic that kids & teens will show unpainted, uncloaked faces, pumpkins will only be cut for making pies to feed the homeless and Halloween parties will require canned goods before entering.

I wonder sometimes who actually runs these reports and what group of educated persons comes to statics on such degrees of ridiculousness. Halloween has and always been about resources. Taking bed sheets, broken charcoal for face painting, and flour in a sock, you know using what is around. I can remember getting pennies in my treat bag and as much as that was always a complete downer, it was still something.

I say take all the pennies you can find, or passing up fast food for lunch, lotto, even that rainy day cash we all have tucked away and spend it on treats, and if you’re still that destitute, send all those kids to my house, the one on the block with the carved pumpkins, spooky decorations and plenty of trick and treats to go round, even if it cost me a dollar and a dream..

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2009-09-28T13:24:00.004-04:00

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September Savings

2009-09-01T10:01:00.010-04:00

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Tech Talk: The 852 Document

2009-08-17T11:33:00.006-04:00

The 852 Document

The 852 provides the ability to be proactive in production planning and understand how products are selling, and across different locations and assists changes in marketing to gain sales. Using the 852, you can compare POS data and transactions and track selling statics between different locations and regions.

There are three reports that form the backbone of retail POS data analysis: item sell-thru by store, inventory on-hand by item and store, and top selling items. From these three reports you can create a library of very useful decision support tools segmented by geographic region, product category, and by retail partner. Vendors are working hard to understand how to best use retail POS and inventory data which is made available via EDI 852.

Considering the amount of information that is offered via the 852 document it may seem like a overload of confusing data, but working with your EDI provider, the right EDI provider who understands each function, you can road-map a plan of action and tailor the 852 exactly to your needs. Using this 852 document will provide a wealth of vital information that will most definitely surpass manual records, standard POS software reports and manual inventory controlling.

Every square foot of any warehouse or distributing center is prime inventory real-estate. Products are placed according to style, color or season, like a well oiled machine every component from receiving to stocking must achieve maximum ability. The 852 provides the document allows warehouse fine-tuning to adjust or increase production, report inventory changes for product movement and placement as well as plan upcoming orders both in receiving and shipping.

I have a small insight to this myself, working in retail and performed labored POS reports daily that consumed a volume of paper. Each report was compiled data of daily or weekly sales figures, stock and location sales. The POS reports are retrieved with software that is installed to a main register (cash) thermal. This terminal is accessed through a PC with standard POS software that is quite defunct by technology standards. Each report is a mass of confusion for anyone to master.

To have the ability to customize reports ranks the 852 ranks as a top performing solution with robust opportunities for any supplier.

Tradeshow Discount

2009-07-24T12:17:00.004-04:00

Special Tradeshow discount!

Vegas & NYC

Two of the biggest events for the jewelry trade has commenced but as a special offer you can save with a premiere discount on EDI services.

If you attended or a vendor, we will discount a special value on a new or existing upgrade EDI system.

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Ready,Writing and Retail Renegades

2009-07-14T12:38:00.007-04:00

Reading-Writing & Retail Renegades

It’s hard to think that September’s biggest season for back-to-school shopping is already underway. Maybe not on the minds of kids and teens but retailers are gearing up for fall 2009 in big ways. Lots of focus will be on the returning school year sales marking for the first time since the finical crisis went south last September.

Second only to the winter holidays, consumers spent $54.1 billion on apparel, shoes, electronics and other items for school kids and those heading back to college as of last year’s reports. Retailers are beefing up major marketing, promotions and anything possible to lure this year’s students into big sales for retail victory.

Consumers are holding off buying items until they really need it, and are hoping that they will get them at bargain prices, but will parents hold off all that much?

This question is quite significant, and if so, this will force retailers to slash prices when a season has just started usually when holding prices at full margin for a new season gains interest and demand. Moreover, retailers are up against a tough assignment since the 2008 back-to-school period got a boost from shoppers spending up to $600 in stimulus checks.

When it comes to children, parents often overspend when the new school year rolls around regardless of a set budget or economic blunders. New jeans and sneakers top the list for must have fashion wants and coming in close second are electronics. A lot remains to be seen, even though July is the official start of the back-to-school and only a month away.

Easy as A, B and C?

Speculation can be made along with polls and statistics, but the only ones with all the moxie are consumers, or is it? How and what we consider necessity or luxury determines everything.

I wonder sometimes, if we as a consumer ever stop to understand the power in consumption, or the other way around. Think about that next time, when your kids drag you under a trail of strategic marketing signs to the next & new must have necessity.

The Creep

2009-07-14T10:57:00.005-04:00

The Creep: In Stores Now!

Having sixteen years of visual retail experience, I have become very familiar with the entire trade lingo. Bogo- buy one get one, blueprinting- retail store placement of products, faceout – promo merchandise eye level with consumers, ADS: add on sales, all that neat impulsive purchases that just happen to be right up, front and center as you wait in line. All of this to most consumers or the untrained eye is not the big bang theory, but a complex structure of ways and means, the formula of retail.

My trade vocabulary has increased to the sudden unfamiliar phenomenon dubbed, Christmas Creep. As retailers generate 20 percent to 30 percent of their annual sales during the holiday season, it’s no wonder as the summer makes its way; the signs of holiday 2009 are peeking up more and more.

Christmas in July has taken a whole new level of depth as websites have begun hanging garland and bows, bold marketing of pre-sale savings, layaway options and general good cheer. Let’s not confuse good tidings with warm holiday fuzzy feelings; this is an all out war of retail competition armed and ready.

Last year, a slowdown in consumer spending, many merchants, stocking their shelves with holiday wrapping paper, trim and trees in early September. Take note as this summer not only filled with bright sunshine will commence July Fourth as the end of “summer” with Back to School then ride into a early Halloween, all the while the creep of Xmas looms right in the middle.

My visual eye always takes note of things most might not pay attention to; call it a gift or just my retail background but I think it’s quite hard for a consumer to make the connection with four seasons-summer, back to school, Halloween and Christmas all displaced and aisle filled. I understand and have for years been seasons ahead as this is very common being in the industry and becomes second nature, but to the mass consumer, is this just an obnoxious attempt by retailers to push frosty dreams at a price discounted too good to pass up?

As Independence Day passes for another summer, we may find ourselves shaking off sand and sun for early wish lists, scary costumes, school uniforms and clearance beach towels and when we as a whole bunch of over-exhausted, burnt-out shoppers, get the thrill of Valentine hearts and coloring Easter eggs.

Sometimes I just wonder, as the rush seems to be instilled in the way and means of life, do we ever just stop, sit and really enjoy it. Can we really, when always over the proverbial consumer shoulder is yet another impatient holiday waiting to celebrate…

Top 100 Retail Revenue

2009-07-06T14:51:00.006-04:00

Top 100 Retailers Annual Revenue

July 2008-2009

1. Wal-Mart-$405,607,000

2. Kroger-76,000,000
3. Costco-72,483,020
4. Home Depot-71,288,000
5. Target-64,948,000
6. Walgreen-59,034,000
7. CVS Caremark-48,989,900
8. Lowe’s-48,230,000
9. Sears Holdings-46,770,000
10. Best Buy-45,015,000

----------------------------------------------------Top Ten

11. SUPERVALU-44,564,000
12. Safeway-44,104,000
13. Rite Aid-26,289,268
14. Macy’s-24,892,000
15. Publix-23, 929, 06400
16. McDonald’s-23,522,400
17. Ahold-21,830,000
18. Delhaize America-19,239,000
19. Amazon.com-19,166,000.
20. TJX-18,999,505
21. J.C. Penney-18,486,000
22. 7-Eleven-16,681,000
23. Pilot Travel Centers-16,500,000
24. Kohl’s-16,389,000
25. Alimentation Couche Tard-15,583,000

-----------------------------------------------Top Twenty Five

26. H.E.B-$14,647,680
27. Gap-14,526,000
28. Meijer-14,321,000
29. Staples- 14,153,851
30. Toys “R” Us- 13,724,000
31. Love’s-12,450,000
32. Dell Global Consumer-11,529,000.
33. Yum! Brands-11,279,000
34. Valero-10,528,000
35. Dollar General-10,457,668
36. Starbucks-10,383,000
37. Office Depot-10,353,398
38. BJ’s Wholesale Club-10,027,366
39. Army Air Force Exchange-9,900,000
40. Apple Stores/iTunes-9,655,000
41. A&P-Montvale- 9,516,186
42. Limited Brands-9,043,000
43. The Pantry- 8,995,626
44. GameStop- 8,805,897
45. Quik Trip-8,640,300
46. Nordstrom-8,573,000
47. RaceTrac Petroleum-8,000,000
48. Whole Foods Markets-7,953,912
49. Travel Centers of America-7,658,379
50. Menard-7,500,000

---------------------------------------------------------Top Fifty
51. Winn-Dixie Stores-7,340,000
52. QVC-7,303,000
53. Darden Restaurants-7,223,000
54. Bed Bath & Beyond-7,208,340
55. Dillard’s-6,988,440
56. Family Dollar-6,983,628
57. Giant Eagle-6,749,103
58. Verizon Wireless-6,697,000
59. Aldi-6,633,500
60. AutoZone-6,522,706
61. Ross Stores-6,486,139
62. Hy-Vee-6,200,000
63. Defense Commissary Agency-5,800,000
64. Albertsons-5,367,185
65. Blockbuster-5,287,900
66. Foot Locker-237,000
67. Advance Auto Parts-5,142,255
68. Barnes & Noble-5,121,804
69. Save Mart-5,100,480
70. Pet Smart-5,065,293
71. AT&T Wireless-4,925,000
72. Trader Joe’s-4,896,000
73. Sherwin-Williams-4,834,897
74. Wegmans Food Markets-4,668,480
75. Big Lots Columbus-4,645,283
76. Dollar Tree Stores-4,644,900
77. Casey’s General Stores-4,687,895
78. Neiman Marcus Group-4,600,536
79. Luxottica Retail-4,549,459
80. Susser Holdings-4,239,883
81. RadioShack-4,224,500
82. Dick’s Sporting Goods-4,130,128
83. Sheetz-4,106,700
84. WinCo Foods-4, 000,000
85. OSI Restaurant Partners-3,962,857
86. OfficeMax-3,957,000
87. Bass Pro Shops-3,930,000
88. Michaels Stores-3,817,000
89. Roundy’s Supermarkets-3,788,262
90. Stater Bros. Holdings-3,741,254
91. Harris Teeter-3,664,804
92. Raley’s-3,659,488
93. Brinker International-3,628,594
94. O’Reilly Automotive-3,576,553
95. Burlington Coat Factory-3,542,000
96. Abercrombie & Fitch-3,540,276
97. Belk-3,499,423
98. Collective Brands-3,442,000
99. Wawa-3,395,700
100. Williams-Sonoma-3,361,472

July Offer

2009-07-01T11:21:00.021-04:00

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Grocery Gone Wild

2009-06-22T16:58:00.006-04:00

Green Lite Special: Grocery Gone Wild!

At a time when supermarket profits remain slow because of rising labor and energy costs customer shopping has changed. Popular supermarkets around the country are forecasting for new lower-price campaigns.

In-store promotions, coupons, bogo (buy one get one free) have hit the isles full throttle as the looming economy has not lifted its hold on purse strings. Household budgets tighten as smart shoppers watch for national-chain coupons and sales.

Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons, Kroger, Safeway and Supervalue have all jumped into action trying to forgo short-term plans to build longer relations and better customer service through promotions and discounts. National-brand food manufacturers are working with grocers by cutting their own prices to gain buying power. National brands have been targeted as thrifty consumers have turned to store-brand, the old standby no-frills as famous maker products are just too expensive.

Offering deep discounts and coupons on maker brands is all triggered to bring the consumer back to what they are accustom to, before the economic slide. Common foods and goods are the most discounted that has been seen so far. Staples such as breads, dairy, baby food, lesser cut meats and produce will get the most attention for racking up the sales.

The dollar store concept has finally come to the grocer. More & more Dollar Days, Saturday Specials and the like have become common ground among leading supermarkets. The iconic Sunday circular has gotten larger, bolder with more to clip, cut and redeem.

There was a time when the supermarket was a Mecca for in store freebies like china or collecting a set of canisters with weekly stamps, holiday bucks and more. This brought people back each week or month, and was enjoyable, making grocery shopping fun.

All this sounds good for the consumer and just might get even better. Competition has grown strong among theses food giants, all ready with a new plan on just how to keep their local weekly fans.

Moreover, with sales and completion outdoing the other, restaurant sales have dropped as consumers have skipped restaurant trips to make more meals at home.

Father's Day Forecast

2009-06-04T15:40:00.003-04:00

Good Old Dad: Father’s Day Forecast

Grills, big screen televisions and many other toys that Dad’s only dream about have gotten a head-start this year. Father’s Day advertisements and sales has been an aggressive push for retailers for this summer holiday.

Consumers are expected to spend $9.4 billion on gifts for Dad, or an average of $90.89 per person, down very slightly from $94.54 last year. That is not too bad considering the economic slump has affected gift giving over the past twelve months.

Consumers spend an average of $123.89 dollars or $14.1 billion on Mother’s Day as Father’s Day generally lacks behind with fewer sales every season. Not to say good old Dad is on the back burner or less important- Mom’s are just easier to shop for. With bulk of sales going toward floral senders, spa and personal care items and a slew of cutesy bric-a-brac, Father’s Day is usually the same- tie’s, cuff links, a wallet or his favorite aftershave.

Facts & sales

Handy Pops who tinker with home improvements bring $522 million.
Hip Dad’s and their video games/electronics rake in a whopping $1 billion.
For the savvy Man of the house, gift-cards represent a total of $1.2 billion
Four out of ten will spend Father’s Day on restaurant, brunch or dessert themed function.
Seven out of ten people will purchase a card from a drugstore or large chain stationary shop.

Dad may be the hardest of all to shop for considering the fact that he has everything already. Everything, not in materiall bulk like a new fishing rod or a plaza TV, but stuff one can’t shop for.

Gifts like wisdom, life experience, patience, war stories, a whole lot of understanding and plenty of criticism to boot. If we can’t give in sometimes, like say father’s Day and tell him he is always right, then that may be the most perfect gift of all!

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2009-06-02T12:10:00.012-04:00

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Bold and Beautiful

2009-06-02T12:02:00.003-04:00

Fall 2009: Bold & the Beautiful

Each season, the color experts at Pantone Color Institute release a report detailing the palette of hues that fashion designers expect to be indicative of the season.

And for fall 2009, designers are forecasting a palette of earth tones, from true red and deep orange to vibrant blue. Designers recognize the desire for basics that speak to the current economic conditions, but also understand the need to incorporate vibrant color to grab the consumers' eyes and entice them to buy.

Some of the top colors designers identified as the most popular hues for fall:

· American Beauty - true red
· Purple Heart - jewel tone purple
· Honey Yellow- a warm yellow
· Burt Sienna- earthy shade of orange
· Rapture Rose- vibrant fuchsia & soft pink
· Warm Olive- rich yellow-green
· Majolica Blue- deep teal

Out of the ten colors that made the fall list, Neutral Iron received the highest rating from designers, a choice that points to practicality and sale-ability.

Color is the most significant role in how consumers gravitate or shy away from making purchases. We as humans have a relationship with color, how one formulates our likes and dislikes, what makes us feel emotion and moods.

Consistently is key for designers as to sustain sales and keep customers returning every season. A garish color palette could potentially hurt sales by a drastic disinterest and for jewelry that could mean big ticket items.

These tones serve as an ideal canvas for jewelry, whether that means sticking to one of the all-metal or neutral iron statement necklaces that will be big for Fall, or selecting colored gemstones with intense hues that are far from shy and make a bold statement.

Pomp with Some Circumstance

2009-05-22T10:15:00.007-04:00

Pomp with Some Circumstance

As the end of the school year approaches, seniors everywhere will toss up caps in glory of the ultimate teen experience, graduation.

That’s why it makes sense for retailers to try to get a piece of the graduation action, since it's a $3.9 billion enterprise, according to the National Retail Federation .That estimate for this graduation season is down from $4.37 billion a year ago, as consumers count their pennies.

Not to damper all the pomp with economic circumstance, this year graduation will still serve up plenty of back yard barbecue's, pool parties and basic affairs rather than formal, in-house catered events. Formality for graduation has taken a backseat to more economical ways to celebrate with family and friends.

“The high school senior year is a very important year, because it's the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood"

Wouldn’t keys to a new car be the ultimate gift for Junior as he sets off for college? Not this year Son, but on a positive note, retailers such as Hallmark cards, Things Remembered specializing in personalized items and jewelry chain locations offering keepsakes still hold presence.

All together these items might not seem like a huge margin as gift cards and personal checks dominate, but still carry enough market power for this annual summer tradition.

A Retailers' Trade Association study showed the appeal of cash is practical and needed in tight times, especially for the younger set.

Maybe a new lap top for college, career clothes for the office or helping Mom & Dad toward tuition fees. Those monetary presents will no doubt come in handy and not leave much left over this year for extracurricular activates-beer.

Buy hey, that’s the breaks, kid.

Along with those prized cash rewards for all the hard work and endless hours of homework, this year comes with another one, a real reality check....

Big Deals and Little Thrills

2009-05-20T14:18:00.010-04:00

Big Deals and Little Thrills

If this blundering economy hasn’t done enough already, conflicting reports seem to always be on the top of the list. Retailers are expected to open 4,000 stores in the U.S. this year and close 3,600. Chains expected to open the most stores include Walgreen, Dollar General and CVS. Closing up shop, has been Bed Bath & Beyond, Circuit City and Fortunoff’s.

If all 4,000 stores are opened, store-opening activity will still be down 39 percent compared to 2007 levels.

Retailers in pet supply, dollar store, warehouse club, drugstore, grocery store and discount categories are projecting the biggest gain in stores this year while retailers in the electronics, jewelry, apparel and office-supply categories expect to see the biggest loss in store counts.

Those planning to open the most U.S. stores this year include:
Walgreen's (540) Dollar General (450)
CVS (275) Dollar Tree (235) Family Dollar (200)

Some merchants who have either folded or are downsizing considerably:
Circuit City (567) Steve & Barry's (252)
Jones Apparel (225) Blockbuster (150)

Having spent Saturday afternoon at my local mall, I noticed just how many empty storefronts stood blacked-out & baron. An eerie echo of bustling shoppers who once darted across from shop to shop, now only have to go past one or two of these darken stalls to see the dismal reality of the economy.

Let’s hope some-four odd thousand shops do open to much success & longevity, but just how much pet supplies, paper clips and industry size toilet paper can one shop for, before being a tad self- indulgent becomes discounted..

CLEO Blog

2009-05-19T11:43:00.002-04:00

Read our guest posting on the new CLEO blog!

http://www.cleo.com/blog/

Cleo is pleased to host a guest post from Reseller Partner, EDI Options. The article is written by founder Neil Abbruzzese and talks about the importance of taking time to understand the benefit of EDI to your business process rather than “getting it done” to meet a particular mandate.

EDI Label

2009-05-18T11:54:00.003-04:00

EDI Label: GS-1

The “EDI Label” commonly known as a UCC-128, and now re-branded GS1-128, has always been a natural extension of the EDI process. It provides a link between the digital EDI transaction and actual physical carton or pallet. This link becomes critically important to your trading partner in order to expedite the receiving of goods and the routing to their final destinations. It won’t take long to find out just how critical the integrity of these labels is when you are suddenly bombarded for invalid labeling. If your trading partner has to suffer by manually handling your shipment they will literally make you pay.

The defined layout of this label is almost standard from trading partner to trading partner but there are always exceptions. These special requirements are one of the biggest challenges that the suppliers of the retail industry faces. The format of the label will fit on a standard 4” wide by 6” tall label stock. The different sections of the label are often referred to as zones. Your average label will always have zones for the ‘ship from’ and ‘ship to’ addresses along with carrier details.

The main key element is the SSCC-18 (serial shipping container code) commonly located in the bottom zone of the label. This is the code that gets transmitted in the EDI Advanced Ship Notice and can be used to reference the contents of the cartons. Another frequently seen zone containing a barcode on the label is the store number. This aids in the routing of the package once it arrives at a distribution center. There are some trading partners that have unique requirements. There are cases where they have asked for item specific information such as size, color and type. Additional barcoded information is sometimes also requested, such as a purchase order number or UPC number.

As a client support manager, I have seen first hand the common errors that my customers face on a day to day basis. One issue that has shown itself regularly is the reusing of SSCC-18 numbers. Most trading partner will not allow you to duplicate a shipment number within a year to avoid obvious confusion during receiving. There have also been occasions where the customer, after creating their ASN and producing their labels, need to make a change to the shipment and recreate their ASN and often forget to generate new labels with the updated carton numbers. Since there is no link between the physical box and the ASN transaction anymore, the ASN becomes useless and will most assuredly result in chargeback’s.

It is very important that your EDI system be capable of managing labels so that your process runs smoothly from beginning to end.

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2009-05-07T15:45:00.000-04:00

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Mothers Day Sale Forecast

2009-05-07T15:32:00.007-04:00

Big Love, less Gifts: Mother’s Day Softer Sales

According to NRF’s 2009 Mother’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, Americans will spend an average of $123.89 per person, compared to last year’s $138.63. Total Mother’s Day spending is expected to reach $14.10 billion, which is slightly more than Easter.

Of the four in five Americans (83.3%) who will celebrate Mother’s Day, Most people (62.4%) will purchase gifts for their mother and stepmother or wife (21.7%) and scale back on gifts for daughters (8.8% vs. 9.4% in 2008), friends (6.8% vs. 7.1% in 2008) and godmothers (1.6% vs. 2.1% in 2008) in order to save some money.

Retailers understand that people are on strict budgets, even for important holidays. Budget-friendly gift ideas will abound this Mother’s Day but less than the usual for this holiday.

The breakdown of Mom’s gift giving:

1.9 billion in floral sales
2.7 billion for special outings such as dinner or brunch
2.4 billion on jewelry
1.5 billion in gift card sales
1.2 billion on apparel
1.1 million for spa and personal services
$857 million on electronics
$587 million for house wares and garden
$487 for books or Cd’s

“No one will forget celebrating Mother’s Day because of the bad economy, but they will put careful thought into what they buy and how much they spend this year.” –Industry insider

Considering our nation is feeling the effects of our current economic issues, Mom still gets VIP treatment. Maybe not every special lady will be showered with flowers, candy and diamonds come this Sunday, but that’s why we love her so. Who, understands more the old adage- it’s the thought that counts, then the value of a dollar, like good old Mom.

April Special

2009-04-09T10:06:00.002-04:00

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Going Green

2009-04-08T12:52:00.009-04:00

Going Green: Small Steps For A Brighter Future

Green technology has become not only a new word in business vernacular, but a foremost priority among both large and small industries. A responsibility to protect the environment has reached global scale: major factory operations harnessing airborne pollutants, offices taking steps to perform paperless protecting national forest resources, supermarket chains offering reusable bags unlike plastic that are not environmentally safe.

Green businesses operate in ways that solve, rather than cause, both environmental and social problems. By adopting principles, policies, and practices that improve the quality of life for their customers, their employees, communities, and environment.

In a recent U.S. survey, 80% of executives say that green IT (information technology) is increasingly growing in importance, and 43% say they consider a vendor’s “greenness” when selecting their suppliers. Giants such as Xerox are now bundling software to help reduce printer waste, IBM has developed a method of recycling, and both Microsoft and WalMart recently introduced plans for Eco-friendly technology

Our own green philosophy has emerged not only in the workspace, but on a broader scale. Transactions that would consume volumes of paper are electronic creating a “paperless office”. Not only does this creates a smoother and safe transmittal of important information but greatly reduces waste. No longer is the dreaded file room, overflowing and disorganized but now replaced with electronic documents.

EDI OPTIONS: Keeping It Green

I’m happy to report here at EDI OPTIONS has taken a part in the green movement. Our office components, monitors, battery chargers, motherboards, wires & cording that is no longer in use is dropped off at a local ECycling station for safe recycling. Manufacturers, and retailers, who are already aware of the pressing need to better manage these materials, are providing more opportunities to recycle and reuse this equipment. Many computer manufacturers, TV manufacturers, and electronics retailers offer some kind of take back program or sponsor recycling events.

The office is a good start to begin to see things green. The employee kitchen can be the first and easiest way to get into the practice or recycling. Sorters for plastics, metals and Styrofoam will ensure everybody has a hand and get involved. A company can also get a energy audit by contacting the local utility service. This survey tracks energy identifying the sources to prioritize the energy uses according to the greatest to least cost effective opportunities for energy savings.

Find out how your company can go green and support the environment.

Celebrate Earth Day on April 22 and learn how you too can get involved.

http://www.earthday.net/earthday2009

A Real Gem

2009-04-07T11:01:00.012-04:00

A Real Gem…

Diamond: A natural mineral consisting essentially of pure carbon crystallized with a cubic structure in the isometric system. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is 10, its specific gravity is approximately 3.52, it has a refractive index of approximately 2.42 and it can be found in many colors.

Call it what you may, bauble, rocks, bling - all mean the same thing, but by the end of this month, the definition will officially change. The Responsible Jewellery Council is retracting and rewriting its definition of a diamond to include laboratory-grown stones, to welcome lab-grown diamond producers.

The Gemological Institute of America, the foremost diamond research and grading body, acknowledges that these are in fact diamonds. The synthetic diamonds do have some differences that only a jeweler would be able to detect, such as different growth patterns and a lack of inclusions. Considered flaws, having diamonds without inclusions will never diminish the value. Man made diamonds are still, just a small twinkle of the diamond market and will not be mass consumed like natural stones until a few years from now.

Synthetic Diamond Facts

Most of lab-grown diamonds are one carat or smaller, though you can get stones up to 2 carats.

Colorless stones are rarer in synthetics than in nature, whereas colored stones are rarer among natural diamonds.

The current economic state has shown a major shift in how consumers spend, shop and approach luxury goods, which might be a significant plus for this new market of diamonds. One thing I’m sure will never change, diamonds be it real or lab-created will still and always, be a girl’s best friend!

March Offer

2009-03-16T16:00:00.001-04:00

A fantastic time to sign up with us for EDI services.

Save up to $3000 by trading in your existing EDI system!
From any EDI complete EDI solution to EDI OPTIONS and receive a discount up to $3000!!

We made EDI simplified with NO mapping
costs and NO hidden fees

We meet and exceeded all requirements to get your new EDI system up and running. A fully trained support staff right at your fingertips guiding you along when you need it.

For more information on how we can share this discount on to you & your company, contact today!

Your Liaison

2009-03-05T16:50:00.010-05:00

Your Liaison....

By Fran Molinari

What is a Liaison?

Webster Dictionary defines Liaison as: communication for establishing and maintaining mutual understanding and cooperation.

As the Administrator and Project Manager here at EDI Options, I have personally maintained valuable relationships with Trading Partners (your retailers and other business partners) throughout the years. I personally manage the EDI setup, configuration and testing between the vendors and trading partner, and have done this more times than I can count for all of our clientele. A good liaison builds relationships over time.

I have the type of relationship with major EDI partners like Walmart, Sterling Jewelers and JC Penney that when they hear from me they know that they are in good hands and what they can expect. We have even conducted testing with EDI trading partners when they have upgraded their internal systems to ensure that the functionality remains the same.

Typically Duties I perform as a liaison are:

1. Contacting the trading partner to initiate the EDI partnership on the vendor’s behalf

2. Filling out all paper work pertaining to EDI. If the paper work also requires business information, I will contact the vendor and send them the paper work as well so they can fill in their business portion.

3. Send paper work back to the trading partner. I like to do this function as it opens the door for communication between them and myself and it shows them who they will be dealing with.

4. Create and setup a VAN (Value Added Network) account (if one does not already exist) as well as add the trading partnership and interconnection with the VAN.

5. Delegate, inter-office the tasks needed to be completed in order to start testing. For example, mapping creations, configuration and installation of the partnership on the vendors system.

6. Deciding with the trading partner on a testing schedule and timeline for the testing phase.

7. I personally contact the trading partner during testing to ensure the quality of the tests is up to par. And I am personally involved in all of the testing that goes on. I maintain a smooth flow of communication so we can get to the end of testing successfully.

8. Once testing has been completed, we will instruct/train the vendor on the requirements for sending successful transactions to the trading partner.

9. I put an email together to the vendor of the status of the project and what to expect next.

I personally take pride in my duties as I believe I am well liked in the industry, I have a good rapport with the trading partners and I am organized and keep track of progress and outstanding issues. I am always ready with status and can always produce any needed documentation.

Unlike other EDI providers, our customer’s trading partners always hear from the same person(s) and that is how strong relationships and confidence is formed. Personally, I find it to be a good feeling to hear on the other end that they are glad we are the contact, or shall we say Liaison for the vendor. Your EDI is in good hands and your trading partners know it.

One of my EDI trading partners that I have worked with for many years is Sterling Jewelers. Marcia Keene from Sterling was nice enough to offer this:

“EDI Options' staff proves every day that they care about their business because they are responsive and caring. The relationship they have formed with me has resulted in real trust. I never hesitate to recommend this company to anyone who asks for a reference for an EDI provider.” -Marcia Keene at Sterling Jewelers

Small Scale For Big Business

2009-02-13T14:30:00.003-05:00

Small Scale For Big Business

A very small flicker at the end of the current economic slump tunnel might just lead some business to higher ground. OfficeMax, looking to lower location rents and warehouse costs with a new concept called Ink Paper Scissors. Three new Ink Paper Scissor locations, smaller in scale to OfficeMax’s warehouse design, contain about two thousand of the chains most popular products for quick get in and go shopping.

“Everyone is looking at smaller footprints now; it’s a big theme right now because traffic is down so dramatically that they can't afford the inventory and labor for a full store."-Industry Insider

Industries like fast food have always taken the small scale, convenience style objective by maximizing kiosk locations in malls across the country. Starbucks and Seattle Coffee have been introduced in place like bookstores, airports and hotels to increase their presence in high traffic areas where a larger restaurant would be cost prohibitive.

Applying this concept to other forms of retail could be on the horizon. Staples, Target and other business have opted for the “dollar menu” creating popular products at ninety-nine cents to lure shoppers into quick buy sales. Seasonal items such as holiday novelties, children’s toys and school supplies have done extremely well as this new concept takes hold.

The stigma of dollar store shopping has seen a tremendous upswing in sales over the last year. Besides getting more business from their regular customers, they are also seeing in influx of new customers.

"It's not where you shop, it's what you get. It's the value of what you're paying for, if it's the same thing you paying for at Wal-Mart, you might as well as come here and get it at a better deal."

Chains like Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar are offering popular name products as well as continually working with large manufactures to create special discount brands like you would find in most supermarkets.

Dollar shops have come a very long way from when they started. You can find dozens of popular brands that are not closeouts or damages, but created for the discount market.

Suppliers need to prepare for these trends by refining their logistics process, adjusting for smaller shipments to more locations. The ultimate form of specialization comes in the form og direct to consumer sales with goods being shipped by the vendor directory to the consumer, labeled as if it had come from the retailer. These specialized logistics will be required to compete in this new marketplace.

React To Overreact

2009-02-03T16:42:00.005-05:00

React to Overreact

The constant wave of economic instability has push retailers into a world wind of store closings, employee downsizing and corporate cut backs. Marked as the second “depression” our country has seen since 1929 with holiday retail sales hitting and all time low since 1969, has the hype caused reaction to make change or overreaction, jumping ship prematurely.

Companies like KB Toys Inc. couldn't make it through the Christmas season, and many more are expected to file for bankruptcy in the coming months. Circuit City Stores Inc., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November, said Friday it will go out of business, closing its 567 U.S. stores. Felines Basement has just announced closings slated for February.

For the last two years, many of the best-run nation's stores like J.C. Penney Co. had been reducing inventories in response to the consumer spending slowdown. JCrew also planned in advance by cutting down novelty color palettes of garments and focused on basics, what sells and what does not work. The Gap, Neiman Marcus also has also revamped merchandise buying, keeping stock higher on staple items rather than impulse trend merchandise.

“Before cutting, closing and hanging the sign on the front door, we are navigating new territory, predicting that the fundamental shift by consumers to spend less and save more will linger.” - Retail Insider

Overreaction to close up shop might be just poor business direction in some cases. Did Circuit City, KB Toys and so many others hit by the economic tsunami plan far in advance to brave out the coming aftermath?

The good news for shoppers, will find less cluttered stores and merchandise at lower price points. From ordinary groceries and household products to brands and apparel they could only once aspire to have, will become a close reality.

The upsides if there could be any, consumers will find stores less cluttered and see an array of products at lower prices, from ordinary groceries to jeans from brands they could once only aspire to.

The sudden reaction of Macy’s cutting seven thousand jobs to stay afloat is unfortunate. A crisis such as this economic downslide offers only two suggestions. React, cutting staff, offering discounts, reducing unpopular merchandise and keeping a firm hold over a very unwavering time.

The other choice, to overreact, shutting down locations, filing bankrupt, liquidating factories might be too late for some who should have reacted rather before then overreact when it was too late to keep heads above water.

February Offer

2009-02-02T11:55:00.010-05:00

Special Valentine offer!

For the month of February sign up & receive 6 months free technical support!

That's half a year of full technical support at no extra charge.

Call today & mention this special promotion!

Learn how we can change the way you do business:

No mapping charges

No hidden fees

Easy to use & soo much more!

http://www.edioptions.com/

Quality or Quanity

2009-01-22T16:04:00.005-05:00

Quality or Quantity?

The old adage has become an important question retailer’s for 2009. Long gone are the days of shop till you drop, focusing more on durability & quality as consumers head into the New Year. Although shopping bags may not be busting at the seams, the luxury market is seeing a trend of the big purchase bearing the weight of weak sales.

Today’s high-net-worth consumers are forgoing novelty for authenticity, making good on luxury retailers exclusive offers & sales. Consumers are making smart choices to spend money wisely on significant purchases like jewelry, vacations, cars and personal goods.

“Luxury shopping is not disappearing, but changing” – says an insider

Don't expect lines out the door at Gucci, just yet. As the economy worsens, U.S. unemployment has climbed over 7% for the first time since 1993, Consumers will pull back a bit, keeping purchases on big ticket items steady but giving up the four or five smaller non important items.

Quality outfits such as Blooming dales and Nordstrom’s have been the first to break ground, offering sales on many designer labels. Luxury brands once immune from the sale rack, are slowly introducing luxury to the everyday smart consumer.

January Support Offer!

2008-12-29T10:11:00.023-05:00

Start 2009 with our month long offer!

Take advantage of this great offer for free support service!

Contact today to find out how you can get this
incredible free savings!

Whether you are managing one or one-hundred EDI
partners, engaged in global distribution or making individual shipments direct
to the customer, our systems speak simplified, down-to-earth EDI.

Ring in the New Year with us!
Check out each month for unmatched saves & offers

President's Desk: Compliance Complacence

2008-12-11T16:53:00.008-05:00

Compliance Complacence

When I speak to company owners that are being asked to enter into an EDI relationship for the first time many times their attitude is to limit the EDI operation to provide simple compliance.

“Just tell me what I need for WalMart, Kmart, JC Penney or whoever to be satisfied so that I can get these initial EDI orders in house and start shipping”

This feeling is more than understandable when the EDI process is seen as hurdle that has to be passed in order to be approved as a vendor. Like some kind of final exam, if I answer all the questions carefully and fulfill enough of the requirements to get a passing grade I can advance to the status of preferred supplier. That level of EDI compliance will indeed satisfy your customer and solidify your relationship as a vendor but will it give YOU any value? Is it enough for you to just be compliant?

EDI compliance satisfies your customers because the EDI information that you exchange with them feeds their logistics process. EDI data is the life’s blood of modern retail logistics. Automated distribution centers scan and route your packages without any human handling. If your packages arrive without bar codes or associated shipping details those packages are forced to be manually handled or worse yet, rejected and returned. Like any operation that is automated, quickly the old manual methods are forgotten causing significant delay.

How automated are your shipping logistics? EDI information is tailor made for sharing with accounting, shipping, warehouse, and other logistics systems.

Companies that view the EDI process as an opportunity for their own business process improvement have the right idea by keeping in mind the fact that the EDI process in one that will be repeated time and again with new orders and shipments in increasing volume as the retailer relationship matures. Any manual handling in that process becomes a clog in the fulfillment pipeline keeping your goods from the shelves and keeping your operation from being as efficient as possible not to mention the inevitable manual errors that will occur.

As the volume of EDI orders and shipping goes up manual EDI processing brings more costs while automated EDI processing brings more value.

There is no secret formula for success since everyone’s fulfillment process is unique. Off the shelf EDI solutions can give you quick compliance with an inexpensive start up but what are the long term costs? At least 50% of our business is done with companies that are switching their EDI solutions because they are bogged down in manual EDI processing or have a competing EDI solution that is not efficient or automated.

Sometimes a lot of money spent by companies without a lot of forethought results in a lot of time and money wasted. That same time and money spent with a little consultation and consideration beforehand can result in more highly automated, efficient fulfillment operations.

-Neil Abbruzzese

December Trade Up Offer!

2008-12-11T12:53:00.017-05:00

Hello & Happy
Holidays!

We have a great offer for
you to check out !
This month we are excited to once again be
offering our annual holiday:
EDI Trade Up Offer

The month of December is a fantastic time
to sign up with us for EDI services.

If you are a current EDI user or company
paying lots of hidden fees, costly mapping charges...

Then it’s time to make the
switch to EDI OPTIONS.

Save up to $3000 by trading in your existing EDI system!

From any EDI complete EDI solution to EDI
OPTIONS and receive a discount up to $3000!!

We made EDI simplified with NO mapping

costs and NO hidden fees.

A simple, easy to operate interface, yet robust &
powerful to handle all industry needs.

We meet and exceeded all requirements to
get your new EDI system up and running.
A fully trained support staff right at
your fingertips guiding you along when you need it

For more information on how we can share this holiday
discount on to you & your company, contact today!

Tech Talk: Holiday Volume

2008-12-08T16:02:00.005-05:00

After spending some time with our client support technicians, it seems that in the rush of the holiday season, our clients not only face shorter deadlines and shipping volume but unique EDI issues as well.

At holiday time, clients ship a much higher volume of goods, which can complicate every aspect of shipping logistics. From packing a much higher number of boxes and labeling to creating multiple invoices for stores or distribution centers. Holiday logistics can become exponentially more complex.

“During the holiday season many issues for support are easily fixed with features that are already built into The EC GearBox”-Tech Support

With our sheer variety of EDI capabilities & customization, each client has the ability to attain an automated EDI operation. Within our systems, there are tools for everyday business and tools that might only be used during this season when business traffic is high.

Clients found themselves learning how to easily edit items off an ASN or even delete items, while others use the GearBox reports to track invoices, ASNs or any transaction inbound and outbound that was sent or received from any given time frame even though these activities were easily performed manually during periods of low activity they would be impossible to perform without high level tools.

For business, especially in the wake of current economic challenges, it is imperative to manage every order to insure compete and timely fulfillment. The strength of an EDI system must mimic these goals allowing your EDI operation to be, productive & robust.

An EDI solution that is flexible & powerful is one part of managing holiday volume. Combine that power with knowledgeable staff, backed up by on call support & the result is a solution with all of the necessary tools to tackle a tough holiday season!

President's Desk: Intergration

2008-11-25T11:52:00.007-05:00

Integrate EDI Information or Not

Integrating or sharing EDI information with your business systems is a decision most EDI users face at one time or another. When a business system like ACCPAC, AccountMate, or Great Plains / Dynamics is integrated with EDI information sales orders are uploaded and invoices are downloaded to save the time of manual data entry, to speed the time of processing and to reduce operator error in entering orders.

"Nobody wants an order for 1000 pieces to be entered as 100 – particularly if the material has a significant lead time. Sales can and have been lost due to a simple error like this."

Through experiences with our customers we have found that enormous value can be derived from integrating EDI information with business systems. But is it a no-brainer to decide to integrate? – not exactly.

The start-up costs for EDI integration can be significant. These one-time costs are weighted against the ongoing cost of labor to manually integrate and the inefficiencies of labor that could be used more fruitfully for customer service or order fulfillment.

"Integration software never takes a vacation or a sick day and the costs of integration are borne only once while the benefits live on."

It all comes down to volume and it’s a pretty simple calculation. A couple of orders a week or even per day might not present a significant manual effort. Manual practices can be put into place to avoid errors and the labor expended is minimal. When the volume of orders increase the burden and costs of the manual process also increases, sometimes quite suddenly.

A good rule of thumb when manually integrating is to review the costs in dollars and time spent every couple of months to see if it passes the threshold that makes integration viable.

-Neil Abbruzzese

Logistics: Shipping

2008-11-13T12:41:00.007-05:00

Shipping systems are a key link in the fulfillment process amplified by the growing popularity of deliveries direct to the consumer. Our EC Gearbox Shipping Manager creates a seamless connection between shipping systems and your EDI transactional information resulting in enhanced customer service with an ability to provide up to the minute details.

Order distribution details are pre-loaded into shipping systems with available information including order number, ship to information, and even packing details with weights. With the addition of a simple bar code scan, this physical process becomes an automated, one-step event.

Shipping results, including tracking and cost information, are integrated back into The EC Gearbox where it is used to create EDI Advance Ship Notices, exchanged back into accounting systems to enhance and/or automate the invoicing process and even sent back to CRM systems for customer notifications.

The shipping process is fully entwined with the EDI process often requiring special labeling and special packing lists as well as shared shipping information in the preparation of EDI Advance Ship Notices (ASNs). Share data with any shipping system including, but not limited to complete UPS and FedEx integrations.

Fully automate your shipping process with EC GearBox tools. Share data with any shipping system including, but not limited to complete UPS and FedEx integrations. Preload shipping systems with order details and retrieve shipment details like charges, insurance, and tracking numbers from completed shipments.

Use EDI transactions to mange external or 3rd party warehouses. Send to the warehouse notifications of incoming stock from suppliers and orders to ship to customers. Receive reports back from the warehouse when they receive goods and send shipments to customers. Use this information to reconcile open purchase orders with suppliers, manage inventory and to create ASNs to customers for shipments direct from the warehouse.

Tools: Industry Groups

2008-11-13T10:00:00.004-05:00

AIAG: Automotive Industry Action Group

ANSI: American National Standards Institute

AAMA: American Apparel Manufactures Association

ASCII: American Standard for Information Interchange

ASC: American Standard Committee

ATM: American Textile Manufacturers

DISA: Data Interchange Standards Association

EDIA: Electronic Data Interchange Association

EDICA: Electronic Data Interchange Council of Australia

EDICC: Electronic Data Interchange Council of Canada

EDIFACT: Electronic Data Interchange Format Administration Commerce & Transport

EIDX: Electronics Industry data Exchange

GMAIC: General Merchandise and Apparel Implementation Committee

HFCA: Health Care Finance Administration

ISO: International Standards Organization

NRF: national Retail Federation

TDCC: Transportation Data Coordinating Committee

TDED: U.N. Trade Data Element Dictionary

UCC: Uniform Code Council

Tools: Glossary

2008-10-30T14:57:00.006-04:00

ASN: Advanced Shipping Notice. Also known as the 856 document. This provides the retailer with advanced information about pending product shipments.

AS2: A specification for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) between businesses using the Internet web page protocol & the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). AS2 was created by EDI over the Internet (EDIINT) a working group of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) that develops secure & reliable business communications standards.

B2B: Business to Business. When one business communicates with or sells to another business.

Compliance Settings: Comparison of EDI data being sent or received with the applicable EDI standard. Normally part of the EDI translation process.

Compliance Checking: A checking process that is used to ensure that a transmission complies with ASNI X12 syntax rules.

Data Mapping: Provides significant enhancement & transformation of data from multiple sources to multiple target formats.

EDI: Electronic data Interchange. The computer to computer transfer of business transactions using standard, industry accepted message formats.

Integration: The process of making one application compatible with another application.

Functional Acknowledgment: An EDI transaction sent to acknowledge the receipt of a prior transaction set.

Integrated EDI: An approach to EDI implementation requiring no human involvement in the computer to computer exchange of data.

Invoice: Also known as the 810 document. This is the request for payment from the purchaser for products or services rendered.

SKU: Stock Keeping Unit. Lowest level of identification of merchandise for inventory management. Within a particular style, this usually refers to the ability to identify a unique size or unique color.

Trading Partner: A customer or supplier or the partner with whom business is conducted using EDI

Third Party Network: A commercial service that allows people to transmit data to a computer and store it so it can be retrieved the party to whom it is addressed. This is also called an electronic mailbox.

UCC 128 Labels: Code 128 is a bar code standard that is used for several applications. Placed on shipments and refers to information contained in the ASN.

EDI: Training 101

2008-10-30T14:02:00.020-04:00

Building more capital faster order & delivery improved order accuracy greater staff productivity better trading partner relations, increase productivity & eliminate errors.
Now that you have decided to transform your business with EDI software, EDI training & understating the functions for your business is vital to better productivity & partner relationships.
A basic interface might require general PC skills, but an elaborate system may call for greater ability. EDI software can be set up for one user or by department, depending on the company and how you plan on using EDI.

Will you have to attend group EDI training or will EDI training be made available to you & your staff?

Will manuals & education material be an additional cost?

How many employees can use the EDI system?

Is there a service fee for training?

When planning for your purchase of EDI software and services, it is critical to understand what kinds of training your EDI host will make available.
An open line of communication to ask questions & develop a relationship with your EDI service will promote in the learning curve. You are the customer & should feel that proper execution of training is being directed toward you & the staff.

EDI: The Basics

2008-10-17T11:39:00.010-04:00

EDI: Electronic Data Interchange. EDI is computer-to-computer exchange of business documents between companies. It replaces faxing and mailing of paper documents.EDI is used in a variety of industries. In fact, over 80,000 companies have made the switch to EDI to improve their efficiency. Many of these companies require all of their partners to use EDI.

Why does my trading partner now require EDI technology?

Computer-to-computer exchange of information through EDI is much less expensive the manual operating of paper documents.

Fewer errors occur because computer systems process the electronic order documents instead of manually processing the documents by hand. Think about it, the “paper trail” is a very unsafe way of doing business & keeping records & files is practically obsolete.

In the age of Internet, a superhighway of electronic tools has advanced business to greater levels. Transactions between companies work faster and more efficient than using paper documents.

Electronic transactions help reduction in inventory, better use of warehouse space, fewer out-of-stock problems, and lower freight charges. EDI orders can take as little as one day to process & exchange business transactions.

What do I need to use EDI?

To become EDI capable you will need some type of computer. Many types of computers can be used to become EDI capable, from a personal computer to a mainframe system. You will need to select the computer that best meets your business needs.

· A Windows based computer
· Internet communication
· Laser printer
· Remote access software

What does the term EDI compliant mean?

EDI compliance or compliant, is the ability to send and receive EDI documents in the way that your partner requires it.

Pretty simple right?

EDI: Shopping Guide

2008-10-17T10:57:00.003-04:00

EC GearBox

When it is time to purchase an EDI system that will benefit you & your company, increase sales & keep track of business one must consider theses key points:

How many vendors or customers are requiring EDI transactions?

How does an EDI system cut down on clerical entry & redundant tasks?

How will my relationship with trading partners benefit?

Building a better customer service business?

Planning for larger business & growth?

Remember to do your home work: learn about EDI via Internet, through clients & ask plenty of questions. Make a checklist to have on hand when interviewing EDI providers. Knowledge is strategic & use it to your benefit.

Hidden costs, monthly fee’s and yearly upgrades go unnoticed or unexplained in the scheme of service. Be upfront, inquisitive and you are off on the right track.

Let’s face it, every business has high hopes for being the next major player, in the game of trade. Thinking ahead or a five year plan is always a plus, but getting to the next level requires hard work, dedication and most important, technology.

Can your potential EDI service provide these benefits?

What factors are important to your business plan by implementing EDI?

EDI( Electronic Data Interchange) has rewired business into a superhighway of fast communication, partner relationships and above all, a paperless office.

Fears & Concerns

2008-10-17T10:44:00.013-04:00

Making sure to get the most out of your EDI experience will benefit not only your company, staff but your business growth and potential. Knowing all the aspects to EDI & what your solution can provide is a valuable tool. Introducing a new way to do business, might seem overwhelming to a staff, and cause concern. Call a meeting to settle fears & answer questions, to ensure a smooth transition to EDI.

With anything new or a major change come the usual fears & concerns. That’s natural. We would not be human if we stared change in the face without any worry.

Is there a requirement on how many partners our business must meet?

Does my company need to hire more employees or candidates with EDI experience?

How do I know my transaction status, monthly or weekly reports?

My trading partners have unique shipping label requirements, do you contact them?

Can I still ship, using UPS & FedEx with this new system?

Concerns on how your business will incorporate this new solution should be answered by the provider, insuring a smooth transaction to EDI.