SPS COMMERCE LAUNCHES B-TO-B CATALOG SYNCHRONIZATION CAPABILITIES TO INCREASE SUPPLY CHAIN EFFICIENCIES
Contacts:
Amy Spychalla
SPS Commerce
651-603-4400
aspychalla@spscommerce.com
Bob Collins
Sterling Hager, Inc.
617-926-6665 x231
bob@sterlinghager.com
-- New Catalog Enhancements Enable Retailers to Synchronize Back-End Systems
With Product Content From Small- and Mid-Sized Supply Chain Partners --
St. Paul, MN, April 30, 2001 – SPS Commerce, the leading Supply Chain Integration Service provider, today announced that it has upgraded its business-to-business catalog services to improve e-commerce transactions between large buyers and their small- and mid-sized (SME) suppliers.
SPS’ Catalog Service has been enhanced to provide retailers with a browser-based development tool to create customized synchronization agents that pull new and updated supplier product content into their back-end ERP systems. The service has also added browser-based, self-service features that provide small- and mid-sized suppliers with a cost-effective solution to load and update detailed product and shipping specifications into the SPSCommerce.net product data repository.
While traditional electronic catalogs are designed to streamline supply chain operations among large companies and their large suppliers, SPS’ upgraded catalog offerings are designed specifically for smaller enterprises that have traditionally exchanged product information with the large buyers via phone, fax or mail. Suppliers who use SPS’ hosted Internet catalog service pay a low, flat monthly fee with flexible contract terms and seasonal conditions, making adoption affordable and seamless to implement.
“We have used several online catalogs as directed by customers, and have found SPS Commerce by far the easiest to maintain and use. None of the other catalogs that we use has the ability to ‘mass upload’ our product information; rather, most require an online form to be filled out, field by field, in order to populate the catalog with the required information,” said Guy Brigman, information systems manager for Altus Athletic, a supplier of handheld sporting goods equipment. “Streamlining your supply chain operations to move products faster means nothing if you ship the wrong product because you have faulty synchronization with your ERP system.”
As part of the recent catalog upgrades, suppliers are able to update and edit product and pricing information directly through a Web browser. Detailed electronic product data fields, including selection, style and item codes, color and price, eliminate costly errors associated with paper-based purchasing, logistics and fulfillment processes and streamline the order fulfillment and delivery process for both buyer and supplier.
“The new features to our catalog offering were designed to accommodate the very specific and unique needs of small- and mid-sized suppliers,” said Jim Frome, SPS Commerce executive vice president and chief strategy officer. “For a large retailer to accomplish 100 percent supply chain connectivity with trading partners of all sizes, targeted technology, a proven process and dedicated resources are essential. Through our hosted Internet service, we are able to provide retailers with a solution that fits both their buying needs while also meeting the fulfillment requirements of their many small- and mid-sized suppliers.”
As the catalog is designed specifically for use with a supplier’s existing customer base,
suppliers are able to securely grant unique access rights, product pricing and order information to their catalog and its fields for each individual retailer. Multiple catalog search methods also simplify navigation for buyers across individual and aggregated catalogs.
“With its catalog services, SPS Commerce is addressing the problem of supplier enablement, which has been a significant obstacle to the progress of Internet-based procurement automation,” said Aberdeen Group Research Director Robert Dorin. “SPS’ Catalog Service focuses on large retailers and the many small- and mid-sized suppliers they rely on – suppliers who lack the technology wherewithal to enable themselves for
e-Commerce.”
To assist retailers and suppliers in the management and improvement of e-commerce transactions and B-to-B catalog offerings, SPS Commerce has also added new Supplier Management and Online Training tools to its hosted Internet services. Via the Web-based partnership program, large buyers can view the status of all supplier relationships and communications conducted via SPSCommerce.net. The new online training service enables suppliers to quickly and easily begin using the transaction and catalog services without sacrificing the customized and collaborative training components essential for a successful training program.
About SPS Commerce
SPS Commerce is the leading Supply Chain Integration Service provider. The Company specializes in helping large enterprises optimize their supply chains by providing transaction management, application integration and supply chain services to their small- and mid-size trading partners via a hosted Internet service. It has helped key enterprises, including Sears Roebuck & Co., Kmart, Target Corp., Cisco Systems, Walgreen Co. and Dura Automotive, electronically enable and integrate over 25,000 small and mid-sized trading partners into their e-supply chain. SPS Commerce is headquartered in St. Paul, MN. For more information, visit the Company at www.spscommerce.com or call (651) 603-4400.
SPS Commerce and the SPS Commerce logo are the property of SPS Commerce, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
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