International wines, spirits and speciality drinks producer and supplier opens up e-trading possibilities with new solution
Halewood International, the UK's largest independent manufacturer and distributor of alcoholic beverages, has upgraded to Freeway Commerce's Spectrum Enterprise EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) software. Halewood International plans to electronically receive invoices and delivery advice notes, and to raise orders with its suppliers via Freeway's solution. Using Spectrum Enterprise has already provided Halewood International's internal trading departments with improved, secure access to EDI information resulting in increased efficiency of its customer transactions.
An established user of Freeway's Spectrum 2 solution, the company upgraded to Freeway's Spectrum Enterprise to enable integration of its EDI transactions with its newly installed SAP enterprise system.
Previously on a standalone PC, EDI information from Spectrum 2 was shared in paper format across the two trading departments - one responsible for the main customer base comprising the large supermarket retailers, Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's and the team that manages the cash and carry trade including Booker and Macro. Now hosted by Freeway Commerce, secure, controlled access to Spectrum Enterprise is provided via a web-based front end to the two trading sides of the business. This enables the trading departments to quickly obtain the latest, accurate information on all relevant EDI transactions within the supplier chain, saving time and improving efficiency.
Freeway Commerce Spectrum Enterprise enables Halewood International to benefit from EDI using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) without the expense of using a Value Added Network (VAN). This makes electronic exchange of data in a wide range of formats more accessible to the different departments, although their technology requirements may differ.
According to Mike Dodgshon, Manager at Halewood International; "Freeway's Spectrum Enterprise solution has opened up whole new ways of working for us. It has already given us greater, controlled visibility to all of our EDI transactions with operational efficiency benefits".
"We are still realising the benefits the system brings and our plans include extending secure login access to our customer base to place orders via a web browser as well as rolling it out to our major suppliers."
Godfrey Adams, Joint Managing Director at Freeway Commerce added: "Freeway's Spectrum Enterprise provides the opportunity to trade with other organisations regardless of the technical capability at the other end. Whether it is a direct link to another server, simple email or a hosted service presenting a Web form, it can handle any delivery method".
He added, "For companies like Halewood International this really does open up the potential to trade with the smallest as well as the largest trading partner. It provides a secure, robust platform to provide all of the benefits of business e-commerce both with customers and suppliers."
For more information please telephone us, or complete our contact form here. |
