Case study:

SPS solutions link the electronic supply chain system with the retailers and manufacturers’ in-house systems

DB SchenkerIn business, as in life, simple, timely and accurate communication is essential to success. SPS Commerce has developed an electronic messaging solution for global logistics provider Schenker Australia Pty Ltd that has provided new efficiencies to manage its complex international supply chain and kept its business one step ahead of the competition.

DB Schenker is one of the leading international providers of integrated logistics services providing complete solutions tailor-made for the requirements of industry. DB Schenker integrates the individual components of the supply chain, creating a reliable flow of materials and information. The emphasis is on process integration between companies allowing customers to focus on their markets.

In 2007, Schenker Australia Pty Ltd was contracted by a multinational consumer goods manufacturer to act as a third party logistics provider between its warehouse and a number of Australian retailers including David Jones, Myer and Officeworks.

This contract demanded that data communications such as retailer generated electronic purchase orders and manufacturer’s advance shipping notices be translated into a format that could be instantly read by the manufacturer and the retailer, as well as the transport carrier of Schenker Australia Pty Ltd.

To facilitate this complex data exchange, Schenker Australia Pty Ltd engaged e-commerce specialists SPS Commerce to map and translate electronic messaging between each of the parties.

Joe Whittle, product manager Logistics for Schenker Australia Pty Ltd, said that the SPS omnichannel retail solutions have created an effective and transparent electronic gateway between all links in the supply chain. “SPS Commerce has created a product that translates messages between Schenker Australia Pty Ltd, the transport carrier, the manufacturer and the retailers into all in-house formats instantaneously,” he said. “The retailers’ electronic purchase order is received instantly by the manufacturer and when the goods are ready, the advanced shipping notice (ASN) is assimilated into the retailers’ system seamlessly.”

Mr Whittle said the SPS solution has created other benefits that were unforseen at the outset of the project. “When the transport carrier’s confirmation of delivery message is sent to the manufacturer, SPS allows the manufacturer to forward it through to the retailer as the first step in a reverse billing process. We have found that this has simplified the processing and billing of orders, saving us time, money and reducing the paper trail substantially.”

Angela Hariohoedojo, general manager – Australia at SPS, said that the transparent linking of the electronic supply chain system with the retailers and manufacturers’ in-house systems was crucial to the success of the project. “We have managed to supply Schenker Australia Pty Ltd with a system that meets the electronic data requirements of its clients with 100 per cent accuracy,” she said. “The SPS solution has allowed Schenker Australia Pty Ltd to sharpen its competitive edge in the global logistics industry.”

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DB SchenkerIn business, as in life, simple, timely and accurate communication is essential to success. SPS Commerce has developed an electronic messaging solution for global logistics provider Schenker Australia Pty Ltd that has provided new efficiencies to manage its complex international supply chain and kept its business one step ahead of the competition.

DB Schenker is one of the leading international providers of integrated logistics services providing complete solutions tailor-made for the requirements of industry. DB Schenker integrates the individual components of the supply chain, creating a reliable flow of materials and information. The emphasis is on process integration between companies allowing customers to focus on their markets.

In 2007, Schenker Australia Pty Ltd was contracted by a multinational consumer goods manufacturer to act as a third party logistics provider between its warehouse and a number of Australian retailers including David Jones, Myer and Officeworks.

This contract demanded that data communications such as retailer generated electronic purchase orders and manufacturer’s advance shipping notices be translated into a format that could be instantly read by the manufacturer and the retailer, as well as the transport carrier of Schenker Australia Pty Ltd.

To facilitate this complex data exchange, Schenker Australia Pty Ltd engaged e-commerce specialists SPS Commerce to map and translate electronic messaging between each of the parties.

Joe Whittle, product manager Logistics for Schenker Australia Pty Ltd, said that the SPS omnichannel retail solutions have created an effective and transparent electronic gateway between all links in the supply chain. “SPS Commerce has created a product that translates messages between Schenker Australia Pty Ltd, the transport carrier, the manufacturer and the retailers into all in-house formats instantaneously,” he said. “The retailers’ electronic purchase order is received instantly by the manufacturer and when the goods are ready, the advanced shipping notice (ASN) is assimilated into the retailers’ system seamlessly.”

Mr Whittle said the SPS solution has created other benefits that were unforseen at the outset of the project. “When the transport carrier’s confirmation of delivery message is sent to the manufacturer, SPS allows the manufacturer to forward it through to the retailer as the first step in a reverse billing process. We have found that this has simplified the processing and billing of orders, saving us time, money and reducing the paper trail substantially.”

Angela Hariohoedojo, general manager – Australia at SPS, said that the transparent linking of the electronic supply chain system with the retailers and manufacturers’ in-house systems was crucial to the success of the project. “We have managed to supply Schenker Australia Pty Ltd with a system that meets the electronic data requirements of its clients with 100 per cent accuracy,” she said. “The SPS solution has allowed Schenker Australia Pty Ltd to sharpen its competitive edge in the global logistics industry.”

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3PL

3PLs

Services: Fulfilment

Industry: Logistics

Trading Partners: Big W, David Jones, Myer, Officeworks, Target

3PL

3PLs

Services: Fulfilment

Industry: Logistics

Trading Partners: Big W, David Jones, Myer, Officeworks, Target