EDI relies on the use of standards based messaging (EDIFACT, ODETTE, TRADACOMS etc) over private communication networks, or VAN (Value Added Networks). This method of trading requires investment in additional proprietary software and hardware to handle the EDI messages, along with ongoing costs for using the VAN, transaction charges and support and maintenance charges.
Eparts requires no additional software or hardware, does not rely on any standards and uses the internet as the communication network, over which there is no cost for transmitting messages. Using eparts allows you to trade electronically using the best methods for your business, as opposed to EDI’s use of mandated standards that require large initial and ongoing investment.
Think of a manual business process, such as receiving a sales order. If received over the telephone or fax, the order needs to be manually input into your business system, taking the time of a member of sales staff and giving the potential for data input errors. Even e-mailed orders are often printed off and input in the same way. With eparts, orders can be sent directly to your ‘back office’ business system, allowing your systems to do the work and your sales staff to become more proactive, adding value to the business. Order related phone calls have been reduced by 80-90% for many suppliers who receive orders from customers who use eparts.
In much the same way as above, automation of manual business processes will save time and wasted effort. Take for example, the receipt of an electronic Delivery Note. With a couple of key strokes any delivery can be automatically booked into stock. Compare that with a paper based process where every line item needs to be updated before the stock can be placed away, and that manual process can take up to four times as long as receiving electronically through eparts. That’s saving of 75% of the time taken in a manual process.
eparts is designed to be used by the entire UK Parts Aftermarket. More and more suppliers and buyers are joining the service every month, and as the audience expands, so do the benefits for those who use the service, as eparts becomes the one point through which all electronic trading can be done. For a list of all of our partners, Click here