Customer Background
An international shipper with complex global operations required seamless coordination between its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and multiple warehouses. The diverse nature of their supply chain demanded efficient data exchange and operational scalability for data automation to multiple warehouses.
Objective of Automation to Multiple Warehouses
Automate the order-to-delivery process to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline communication across the supply chain.
The Problem
The shipper's ERP system struggled to handle multiple, varied data streams effectively. Specifically, it could not process the four essential Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) messages required for seamless operations:
EDI 940: Warehouse Shipping Order
EDI 945: Warehouse Shipping Advice
EDI 943: Warehouse Stock Transfer Shipment Advice
EDI 944: Warehouse Stock Transfer Receipt Advice
This lack of interoperability resulted in:
Manual intervention and inefficiencies in order fulfillment.
Increased errors and delays in communication between the ERP and warehouses.
A rigid system unable to adapt to growing operational complexity.
The shipper reached out to Splice because of its ability to translate the message sets and build a repeatable process as it grew the number and location of warehouses across the country. With one integration to the ERP, Splice could create and maintain workflows to all the warehouses, providing the operational and cost advantage that it sought.
The Solution
Splice implemented a cutting-edge solution by connecting and translating data between the ERP system and warehouses. Key features of the solution included:
Automated translation of the four critical EDI messages to ensure seamless communication.
A flexible, scalable integration framework that allowed each party to continue using their preferred software.
Simplification of data architecture to reduce operational complexity and facilitate growth.
Connections to multiple providers to organize the full round trip of data and specialized notifications as required by the consignee, adding a level of automation not initially envisioned when the integration project began.
Results Achieved
Cost-Effective Development and Operation
The streamlined integration minimized development costs while reducing ongoing operational expenses.
Eliminated the need for costly upgrades or custom software replacements. The alternative to Splice was an expensive modification to the ERP system.
Simplified Architecture Provides for Scale
The solution’s flexible design enabled smooth scaling as the shipper’s operations expanded.
Ensured reliable performance even as transaction volumes increased across multiple warehouses.
Customer and Warehouse Continue Using Software of Choice
Both the shipper and warehouse partners maintained their existing systems, avoiding disruption or retraining costs.
Splice acted as the silent partner, an intermediary translating and aligning data functioning quietly in the background.
Conclusion
Splice empowered the international shipper to achieve end-to-end process automation in its order-to-delivery cycle. By providing an adaptable, cost-effective, and scalable solution, Splice eliminated inefficiencies, reduced errors, and facilitated seamless collaboration between the ERP and warehouse systems. With a can-do and customer-first approach, Splice performed the work with the utmost professionalism and care to ensure timelines were met and quality matched exacting standards.
The result? A future-ready supply chain capable of supporting global operations while maintaining flexibility for all stakeholders.