Universal Metal Products Uses Cleo to Automate EDI Operations

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Universal Metal Products (UMP) migrated from a legacy, rigid integration environment to Cleo Integration Cloud (CIC) to support its critical role in the automotive and appliance manufacturing sectors. By adopting a Managed Services model, UMP automated its end-to-end EDI workflows, successfully managing 2,000 to 3,000 monthly transactions with a 99.9% success rate. This transition eliminated manual data entry, provided 24/7 visibility into high-volume trading partner requirements, and allowed UMP to maintain strict compliance with global Tier-1 automotive standards.

KEY PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES

• 100% Manual Entry Elimination: Fully automated the "Order-to-Cash" cycle, removing the risk of human error in high-stakes automotive scheduling and shipping.

• Tier-1 Compliance Stability: Ensured consistent adherence to complex automotive EDI standards (including 830 Planning Schedules and 856 ASNs), protecting the company from costly supplier penalties.

• 24/7 Real-Time Transparency: Leveraged the CIC Cockpit to provide the operations team with instant visibility into every transaction, enabling proactive resolution of shipping discrepancies.

• Strategic Resource Reallocation: Shifted internal IT resources away from day-to-day EDI maintenance and toward high-value manufacturing technology initiatives by utilizing Cleo’s expert managed services.

• Scalable Business Continuity: Established a robust integration foundation that accommodates rapid spikes in production demand without requiring additional administrative overhead.

INTRODUCTION

For more than 78 years, Universal Metal Products (UMP) has delivered custom metal stamping solutions for appliance and automotive tier suppliers. From fourslide machines to punch presses, UMP’s engineers design parts to meet unique customer needs, from high heat resistance and corrosion performance to assembly work and one-piece construction. 

Operating out of three U.S. facilities, UMP runs on lean manufacturing principles to improve efficiency and optimize workflows. 

However, as order volumes and their corresponding EDI file transfers surged, the manufacturer needed an integration platform to automate manual processes, speed partner transactions, and provide the real-time visibility customers' demand.

IT CHALLENGES

Before Cleo, UMP relied on a legacy Unix MRP system with very limited automation. While it could download EDI files, all subsequent steps in the fulfillment processes were manual and could take more than four hours, consuming valuable team resources.

SOLUTION

In 2013, UMP sought to modernize its EDI and integration approach as part of an ERP upgrade to Global Shop Solutions. Global Shop recommended Cleo as a preferred integration partner due to its proven ability connecting directly with ERP systems. By integrating Global Shop with Cleo's WebEDI Portal and connecting to customers via SFTP, AS2, and EDIFACT, UMP now automates the exchange of purchase orders, acknowledgments, ASNs, invoices, and more—eliminating hours of manual work each day.

Cleo Fulfillment delivers value across multiple areas, such as:

Automated File Processing for Scalability

• ASN files are automatically generated and staged in SQL so the shipping department can send them immediately once a transporter picks up an order—no manual creation required. 

Custom Reporting for Faster Insights & Proactive Action

• Consignment files for one major customer are automatically converted into Microsoft Excel and imported into Global Shop, saving team members 2–3 hours daily

• Release files with zero requirements are flagged automatically, enabling proactive outreach to customers, avoiding wasted production, and saving money

Real-Time Data for Visibility

• Cleo’s Intuitive WebEDI Portal enables GUI-based searches, replacing text-based searches

• Customer service, shipping, and IT teams can instantly confirm file status, troubleshoot issues, and respond to partner inquiries without IT intervention

LOOKING AHEAD

Since partnering with Cleo more than a decade ago, Universal Metal Products has scaled its business without increasing headcount. With Cleo automating daily transaction workflows and fully integrating with Global Shop, the specialty manufacturer plans to expand automation to additional partners and leverage Cleo’s supply chain orchestration platform even more to further enhance visibility, responsiveness, and operational efficiency.

“Since implementing Cleo, I think the best achievement we can point to is the amazing time savings,” Dorsey continued. “Files are processed faster and in more real time. Consignment files are now converted into Excel and imported into Global Shop, saving users around 2-3 hours a day.”