Sodexho streamlines order processing with managed EDI services from Freeway Commerce

Freeway Commerce, a leading provider of e-commerce and electronic trading systems, has supplied a fully managed EDI service to catering and support service provider Sodexho. Based on Freeway's Spectrum Enterprise product the service provides a turnkey solution to Sodexho for all EDI services. Freeway hosts the service at its datacentre, processing all data and providing Sodexho with a processed EDI file that feeds directly into the company's ERP system. The new system will dramatically improve the accuracy and timeliness of vendor document processing and will provide a basis for reducing manual processing in the company's many trading units located across the UK.

Prior to implementing the managed service from Freeway, Sodexho was a very limited user of EDI technology. Once the roll-out to Sodexho's vendor community, which is being managed in partnership with Freeway, is completed the company will be able to trade electronically will all its major vendors. Sodexho has already seen increased accuracy in documents which has lead to greater efficiencies in managing its relationships with vendors. The company also expects to reduce the volume of paper that is processed by the business, and is already looking at ways to use EDI to communicate with its customers.

Freeway Commerce was selected for its flexibility and resourcefulness in understanding Sodexho's goals and for its ability to deliver a hosted solution to match the requirements. In addition, Sodexho has an option to take the software in-house and run the system for itself in the future.

Anthony Slater, Applications Director at Sodexho, commented, "We have been able to introduce a flexible, adaptable, cost effective EDI solution into the business, with minimal impact on our IT administrative overheads. The system is running well and we are pleased with the support and service we have received from Freeway. They have enabled us to provide real benefits to the business and our vendors without over stretching our IT resources."

Godfrey Adams, Joint Managing Director at Freeway Commerce commented, "Electronic trading through EDI can provide huge savings as accurate information means far more efficient order processing. This saves time and resource and leads to better relationships with trading partners. Although it may seem daunting, implementing EDI should be straightforward and as Sodexho has shown, if a managed service option is taken, it won't be a drain on overstretched IT departments either."

For more information please contact Freeway's sales desk on the telephone number at the top right of the page, or email us here