Retail Stores

Converting Trading Partners from VANs and Legacy Protocols to Internet EDI

Major retailers – eager to reduce or eliminate the high cost of connections for themselves and their suppliers – are rapidly moving from legacy asynchronous and bisynchronous protocols and VANs (Value Added Networks) to Internet-based EDI communications. Internet EDI delivers significant cost-savings and improved supply-chain efficiency. Retailers today realize leveraging this technology can help them lower operational costs and remain competitive.

AS2 has emerged as the de facto standard for retail EDI communications. In September 2002, Wal-Mart – the world’s largest retailer – announced its switch from a mainframe-based legacy EDI system with traditional bisynchronous supplier-to-host connections to an Internet server requiring AS2-compliant clients. With Wal-Mart’s stamp of approval, the retail industry at large has gained confidence that AS2 will deliver the needed levels of capability and security for effective Internet EDI.

AS2: Now for Retailers of All Size
Cleo's VersaLex Trader delivers the reliability and performance level to handle a large volume of retail EDI transactions, yet is scalable so that any sized retailer can reap the benefits of an AS2 implementation. Retailers can start with a few connections, and easily add more as their network and requirements grow. VersaLex Trader is Drummond certified for AS2 interoperability (as well as AS3 and ebMS). Retailers can be assured that the product will communicate successfully with any other certified product, thus ensuring suppliers will be able to utilize a client product most suited for their needs. Cleo's LexiCom client software makes an easy-to-use and affordable choice for suppliers of all size.

Completing the Circle
The process of converting a retailer’s trading partners to the new communications method can be more difficult that at first assumed. Cleo offers complete hub rollout services to assist retailers with this important initiative. Cleo helps retailers understand the critical issues associated with conversion. Our Professional Services can be customized to meet your needs including planning, trading partner education, customized trading partner software connection packages, informative rollout web pages, comprehensive reporting, and more.

Leverage Cleo's Experience
The VersaLex products are proven in thousands of installations worldwide. Cleo understands the complexities of constantly evolving protocol standards, encryption, and digital certificates. To learn more, please contact Cleo Sales. Cleo can recommend and implement a solution and strategy that will ensure your success with secure communications.