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Download the NEXT Proteins Case study PDF 
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Resources Case Studies
Next Proteins, Inc. is the maker of DESIGNER WHEY, America’s #1 protein since 1993. The company’s products are used by NBC’s The Biggest Loser program and include a variety of protein powders, drinks and bars sold at grocery and retail stores nationwide, including Fred Meyer, H-E-B, Kroger, Publix Super Markets, Rite Aid Pharmacy, SUPERVALU and Vitamin Shoppe.
Today they have more than 20 trading partners, and have been using SPS Commerce’s EDI Services since 2006.
Initially the company used SPS’ WebForms service to manually enter their EDI documents online. In 2009, NEXT Protein, Inc. decided to upgrade its subscription and use SPS’ integrated EDI service with its Sage MAS 90 ERP system to accommodate its growing order volume.
SPS Commerce’s integrated EDI Service for Sage MAS 90, integrated using SWK Technologies’ MAPADOC solution, helps suppliers, like NEXT Proteins, Inc., more easily exchange supply chain documents with their trading partners. Suppliers are enabled to exchange sales orders, advance ship notices, invoices, warehouse shipments and other required documents with trading partners around the globe. The integrated EDI Service offers suppliers a single integration point from their MAS 90 ERP system to SPS, instead of creating unique EDI maps for each transaction/customer combination.
Automated Order Fulfillment with its 3PL
SPSCommerce.net is at the center of NEXT Protein’s order fulfillment cycle, sending and receiving EDI transactions to trigger operations and update their MAS 90 system.
NEXT Proteins, Inc.’s purchase orders are received via EDI from its retail customers through SPSCommerce.net and automatically entered into NEXT’s MAS 90 system. This information is then routed to NEXT Proteins’ third party logistics provider (3PL), FST Logistics, via an EDI 940 to provide the warehouse with the necessary information to fulfill the order for the retail customer. FST Logistics packs and ships the order according to the instructions, including sending NEXT’s retail customer an Advance Ship Notice. FST also sends NEXT Proteins, Inc. an EDI 945, which automatically updates their MAS 90 system to show that the order has been fulfilled and shipped to the customer. Finally, NEXT Proteins, Inc. automatically issues an invoice from its MAS 90 system, and sends it via EDI to its retail customers for payment.
The entire process is hands free for NEXT Proteins, Inc., and provides tracking and reporting capabilities to allow IT staff to monitor its operations and ensure quality performance. Today approximately 75 percent of its orders are received and fulfilled automatically using EDI.
“By integrating SPS Commerce’s EDI Service with our MAS 90 system, we have hands-free order fulfillment that we can trust,” said Paul Koch, IT Manager at NEXT Proteins. “We are electronically connected to our retail and grocery customers, as well as our 3PL, FST Logistics. Today we are using SPS’ EDI service to exchange the majority of our purchase orders, invoices, warehouse documents and shipping notices with our supply chain partners. This is a tremendous time savings for NEXT Proteins and delights our retail customers.”
Proven Reputation for Customer Satisfaction
Over the years, NEXT Proteins, Inc. has called upon SPS Commerce’s customer service to assist with adding new trading partners, performing the integration to their MAS 90 system, and addressing the occasional questions that arise.
“SPS’ customer service is amazing. They are knowledgeable and take the time to understand and address our questions,” continued Koch. “We’ve found all of SPS’ services to be easy to use. Furthermore, many of our retail customers know SPS Commerce and suggested their services to us. Over the years SPS has gained our trust and is one of our most trusted IT partners.”
About SPS Commerce
SPS Commerce is a leading provider of on-demand supply chain management solutions, providing integration, collaboration, connectivity, visibility and data analytics to thousands of customers worldwide. We deliver our solutions over the Internet using a Software-as-a-Service model to improve the way suppliers, retailers, distributors and other customers manage and fulfill orders. Our SPSCommerce.net platform features pre-built integrations used by current and new customers alike, spanning 2,700 order management models across 1,300 retailers, grocers and distributors, as well as integrations to over 100 accounting, warehouse management, enterprise resource planning, and packing and shipping applications. More than 35,000 customers across more than 40 countries have used SPSCommerce.net, making it one of the largest trading partner integration centers. SPS Commerce has 38 consecutive quarters of increased revenues and is headquartered in Minneapolis. For additional information, please contact SPS Commerce at 866-245-8100 or visit www.spscommerce.com.
SPSCommerce.net and the SPS Commerce logo are the property of SPS Commerce, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
