Universal Network Integrated Fulfillment for Retailers

Solution Description

Integrated: Documents are delivered to Customer via agreed upon System Map through the SPS Commerce Business Network. Customer and SPS will identify the documents for integration.

Integrated Fulfillment objectives

• Safe, scalable solution to support growth with high reliability
• Network design defining trading partner requirements in a standard fashion
• A standardized format for all inbound and outbound data
• Expedited and cost effective implementation of trading partners
• Comprehensive service deliverys

Integrated Fulfillment: Project Assumptions

The following assumptions have been discussed during the pre-sale process and will remain in effect for the duration of the project.

• SPS will assign a project team that will guide the Customer through the Delivery Methodology: Initiate, Design, Build, Test, Production and Success Management.
• SPS expert driven design process with customer sign-off.
• Document syntax compliance, map and test for the documents included in this scope.
• Execute production readiness as mutually agreed upon during the production preparation.
• Existing system will have the ability to import and export data.
• There will be a single data format for each of the integrated documents, as mutually agreed upon.
• Customer has or will acquire the ability to push and pull files from an external site located at the SPS data center or provide SPS access to push and pull files located at customer’s site.
• Files shall be routed to Customer as defined by the design phase of the project.
• Files shall be exchanged using a mutually agreed upon data communication method.
• File names will be structured utilizing SPS’ standard file naming convention or as mutually agreed upon.
• Customer agrees to participate in system testing cycles to ensure successful transmissions as defined in the project plan during implementation.
• Customer will provide System, Connectivity and Business resources to help with the initial design effort, integration and user acceptance testing and deployment.
• Customer agrees to allocate the appropriate resources throughout each phase of the project based upon the mutually agreed upon project plan.*
• Customer agrees to perform any activities that may be required to fully operationalize the system of record.
• Customer agrees to provide the following artifacts where applicable. This includes file formats, schemas, EDI specifications, sample data and/or hard/soft copies of existing transactions.

*A project may be placed on-hold either by Customer request and/or non-response after 14 consecutive business days. If a project is placed on-hold resources and timelines may be impacted for the overall delivery and will be re-assessed at the time of re-engagement

SPS Integrated Retailer Fulfillment: Delivery Methodology

There are six phases to the SPS Commerce Delivery Methodology Approach – Initiate, Design,
Build, Test, Production and Success Management – all directed by an overriding focus on customer goal achievement.

During the design phase, the SPS project team will assist in analyzing capabilities of the system zone as defined by the customer. Based on this review, additional Network Modules may be needed in order to meet customer goals.

Network Zone: The network zone contains all capabilities and activities handled by SPS Commerce. It includes the standardization of data into a standard format, trading partner products, data
validations, communications and data transformation.

System Zone: The system zone contains all capabilities and activities handled within the customer’s system. This includes the import and export of data, setup and configuration required for new trading partners, and all applicable workflows to translate data and trigger necessary business activities.

Phase 1: Initiate

The initiate phase is the first phase of our approach. During this phase, knowledge from the initial sales engagement is transitioned to the implementation project team, a project kick-off occurs and executive alignment is established.

Phase 2: Design

The design phase is the most critical phase of the project. It is imperative that the key components: Network Zone, System Zone and Business Rules are discussed to determine the overall solution scope. This will be documented and shared via our solutions statement artifact and requires sign-off by your executive sponsor.

Phase 3: Build

The build phase is where the rubber meets the road. The project work is conducted and deliverables created according to the project plan as specified in the solution statement.

Phase 4: Test

The test phase is where gathered business requirements, created technical design, and systems maps are tested to ensure they meet the requirements set by you and SPS Commerce. The SPS consultant(s) will work directly with you to ensure they are able to import and export documents as expected.

Phase 5: Build

Once the previously identified implementation phases are complete, a deployment date is selected to get the solution into production. At this time, you will experience “live” data flow between you and your trading partner(s).

Phase 6: Success Management

Below is an overview of the milestones that occur within the success management phase of the SPS Commerce Integrated Fulfillment methodology. Success management is key for ensuring healthy relationships between you and SPS Commerce and you and your trading partners. As your business continues to grow, SPS Commerce will be a part of your change management process to help ensure continued success.

SPS Commerce is aware that project scope and assumptions may change over the course of our relationship. Any changes to the above trading partner scope will trigger a new Scope to be created. This may or may not have financial implications to the project and will be discussed with the Customer in detail prior to any work being started.

SPS Integrated Retailer Fulfillment: Network Modules

Detailed definitions of each network module are found in the Network Module Definitions follow.