Sonepar

An integrated solution for maximum client satisfaction

With ecosio Master Data, Sonepar takes client ordering processes to the next level

Sonepar is a market leader in electronics wholesale, selling electronic goods from leading national and international manufacturers to clients in trade, retail, and industry. “This project was a win for everyone involved. Thanks to ecosio’s integrated EDI solution and master data management, we were able to significantly increase process efficiency and client satisfaction.” says Martin Haiderer, IT director, Sonepar Österreich

In the electronics branch, business processes digitization is well established, and EDI use is widely accepted. Sonepar has been working with automated electronic data interchange for quite a while. Originally, the EDI service provider ATOS connected Sonepar with clients and suppliers. In spite of good cooperation, over time Sonepar became motivated to renew their technological infrastructure. When the decision was made to add a client master data solution, Sonepar’s IT Director Martin Haiderer contacted ecosio. Familiar with client-side needs, ecosio delivered an integrated EDI solution that could fulfill all EDI requirements simply, without switching user interfaces. And ecosio was happy to work with Sonepar to develop a master data solution that could be ea- sily integrated.

“Centralised management, automated updating, and client-specific product master data provided by ecosio Master Data have lead to significant time savings for our internal sales department. Even printing costs have been reduced.”

Martin Haiderer, IT director, Sonepar Österreich

Managing large volumes of data

As an electronic goods wholesaler, Sonepar works with an enormous amount of product master data from numerous manufacturers. Updating and providing product catalogues for clients is time intensive and includes high error potential. Using various media to transmit data and manage ordering processes is tedious for clients. “We urgently needed an innovative solution for product master data to offer clients better service and improve our processes”, explains Martin Haiderer, IT Director at Sonepar.

Through initial discussions, it quickly became clear that EDI process management with clients and suppliers also needed to be brought up to date. After reflecting with the ecosio project team, it was clear for Martin Haiderer that integrating EDI functionalities in the ERP system’s user interface was the right solution to meet clients’ expectations. In conjunction with master data management, a solution was created for all formats and business partners that significantly improves the client ordering process, giving Sonepar a quantifiable competitive advantage.

“We were motivated by Sonepar’s project requirements. Automated master data management is an innovative addition to ecosio API, our interface that connects ERP systems. Automatic provision and updating of master data is the cherry on top for maximum usability.”

Marco Zapletal, Managing Director, ecosio GmbH

ecosio Master Data revolutionises purchasing processes

Before the Sonepar and ecosio project teams could begin developing new tools, the technical requirements had to be defined. “We didn’t have previous experience in the electronics industry. The different requirements and standards for the industry-specific ERP systems posed a bit of a challenge,” remembers Marco Zapletal, Managing Director at ecosio. Since implementing ecosio Master Data, Sonepar can now provide many clients with product catalogue data at the same time, and ecosio Master Data updates the data daily. Incremental updates save bandwidth and time, because only data that has been changed since the last download is updated.

The comprehensive filtering possibilities make it possible to issue client-specific product catalogues with individual prices. ecosio’s central interface for master data is compatible with numerous master data formats and standards. Automatic updating of product master data immensely reduces the potential for error. At the same time, Sonepar’s processes are more streamlined and efficient, leading to improved client service.

EDI with maximum usability

ecosio API was perfectly suited to provide not only processes for product master data, but also a modern solution for automated document exchange. For Sonepar, ecosio connected leading industry-specific ERP systems, such as those manufactured by PraKom, KORAM, DGR, comtech, MEHR Data, and TAIFUN to the ecosio Integration Hub using ecosio API integration. These systems cover the a large proportion of the electronics market, meaning hundreds of Sonepar clients benefit directly from the cost-efficient and fully integrated EDI solution. ecosio’s interface to connect ERP systems offers maximum usability through deep integration in the user interface. Sending orders, receiving and editing invoices, monitoring of all messages, and even managing product master data can all take place without leaving the familiar UI.

The interface connects ERP systems to the ecosio Integration Hub, making EDI possible with all business partners in all formats. ecosio manages not only the setup of all EDI connections, but also administration and central 24/7 monitoring. Product master data updates (in the formats DATANORM4, DATANORM5, BMEcat, custom) take place automatically using the ecosio interface.

“We’re pleased to have taken part in this ground-breaking project. The integration of ecosio API with ecosio Master Data constitutes a significant competitive advantage for Sonepar, since all business partners benefit from efficient processes.”

Christoph Ebm, Managing Director, ecosio GmbH

Full integration

The combination of ecosio API and ecosio Master Data gives Sonepar a powerful toolset to process all EDI agendas and centrally manage all clients’ catalogue and product data. Sonepar clients that use one of the connected ERP systems benefit from the “pre-installed” EDI connection and automatic updating and individual configuration of product catalogues – directly in their ERP system’s user interface.

The collaboration with Sonepar provided ecosio with important insights about client requirements for efficient data transmission processes that have been useful in developing new solutions. ecosio’s technical competence, dedication, and competent project implementation were assets on this project.

“ecosio is an innovative company with the power to turn ideas into action. Within two years, ecosio created a significant advance for our processes that ensures our leading role in our industry.”

Martin Haiderer, IT director, Sonepar Österreich

In a nutshell

REQUIREMENTS

Modern EDI solution and master data management with simple integration in numerous ERP systems

IMPLEMENTATION

In parallel:

Installation of ecosio Master Data
- Generated article databases (possible output formats: DATANORM4, DATANORM5, BMEcat, custom)
- Constructed the web interface
- Added web services for automatic updates
New development and integration of the ecosio API interface in Microsoft Dynamics AX to connect Sonepar with the ecosio Integration Hub
- Provided direct EDI integration documentation
- Tested message transmission
- Parallel operation
- Go Live
Set up direct EDI integration interface for industry-specific ERP systems vendors (PraKom, KORAM, DGR, comtech, MEHR Data, TAIFUN) to connect Sonepar clients and suppliers with the ecosio Integration Hub.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Project timeline: October 2015 – December 2017
Connected partners: 60, using ecosio’s direct EDI integration for Microsoft Dynamics AX and industry-specific ERP system vendors PraKom, KORAM, DGR, comtech, MEHR Data, TAIFUN

OUR SOLUTION

ecosio API – EDI interface that integrates with ERP systems
ecosio Master Data – ecosio’s master data solution

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Sonepar

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