Hilton Internet Marketing

Buying the wrong B2B ecommerce software can be a very costly mistake if it cannot handle the full demands of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), warn experts at GXS.

The average ecommerce system with its basic shopping basket and checkout is a world away from the complex demands of EDI software that needs to interact with customers’ and suppliers’ existing accounts and delivery systems.

Embarking on an EDI project requires significant planning and preparation. Companies should consider the following important questions:

• Do you simply wish to exchange business documents such as invoices and purchase orders or will you need much more from your system?
• Do you need to integrate your B2B ecommerce software with your other business systems? Will your EDI system need to draw data from your existing accounting systems?
• Will you need your B2B ecommerce software to integrate with your existing warehouse system to help reduce costs and speed up despatching?

Choosing the most suitable B2B ecommerce system for your company can involve examining various different methods of EDI, including:

• EDI via Value Added Network (VAN). This involves secure document and data exchange via private networks.Users need accounts with an EDI VAN provider which supplies them with secure electronic mailboxes.
• EDI via VPN (Virtual Private Network) uses public telecoms networks to carry out private transactions, usually the Internet. The main benefit is the much lower cost involved.
• EDI software allows companies to take far greater control of their B2B ecommerce systems, instead of outsourcing their EDI management. Users will run EDI software on a network of PCs behind a company firewall. However, this typically requires extra IT resources.

GXS is the leading global provider of EDI and B2B ecommerce software and solutions, enabling companies across the world to reduce their overheads and trade more efficiently.

At least three-quarters of all Fortune 500 companies use GXS solutions to boost their supply chain networks, optimise product launches, automate warehouse receiving and manage electronic payments.

GXS is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland with operations and offices around the world. Contact GXS for more information about EDI and B2B ecommerce software.

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