An Integration Solution 15 Years In The Making

Mr. Alessi set the foundation by talking about the network’s history and it’s evolution into the OrderTrax® Network and Portal.

The ePromoStandards Alliance formed in 2000 and developed the electronic commerce document standards for the promotional products industry and software tools, including ePSA Network, to transport the documents between distributors and suppliers.

"It's easier than ever for companies to integrate into the network and do so using the protocol of their choice."

In 2008 the ePSA Network was acquired by PPAI, who built the OrderTrax portal to serve as a web interface into the network, enabling companies to participate in the network even if they were not integrated into the network.

In 2010 Essent acquired the intellectural property of the ePSA Network and OrderTrax. Without delay Essent enhanced the network and portal, forming the OrderTrax Network and Portal that power the ePSA Network.

In 2012 Essent developed the OrderTrax Connector and enhanced the network to allow multiple document standards and transport protocols to be utilized, making it easier than ever for companies to integrate into the network and do so using the protocol of their choice.

Foundation For The 'Holy Grail'

"Some Essent customers using the technologies even call Automatic Order Processing the Holy Grail because of how much money it saves."

Today the network’s flexibility, combined with the support of multiple electronic standards and even integration with other trading networks, help form the basis for the exchange of millions of documents representing billions of dollars annually.

Other networks not only include traditional Value Added Networks used for EDI, but newer e-procurement networks like Ariba, Coupa, and SAP. Plus interactive technologies like PunchOut catalogs necessary for custom configured products offered in the promotional products industry.

Mr. Alessi went on to describe how Essent is sharing patterns and practices that allow trading partners to automate order processing throughout the supply chain.

"ePSA Networks Standards baked into the Essent OrderTrax® Network and combined with the OrderTrax Connector and the Essent Product Configuration Engine represent a tremendous opportunity for trading partners: Automatic Order Processing,” Essent President & CEO Eric Alessi said. "Some Essent customers using the technologies even call Automatic Order Processing the Holy Grail because of how much money it saves for them and can save for the entire promotional products industry.”

Orders Can Practically Process Themselves

Trading partners can receive Well-Formed Orders™ that adhere to the trading partners’ business rules, are complete and correct the first time, and stay correct through the entire sales pipeline.

The Essent OrderTrax Network, using ePSA standards and other Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standards like ANSI X12, cXML and RosettaNet, allows trading partners to exchange documents electronically using their preferred method. Suppliers trade with Vendors and Distributors; and Distributors trade with Suppliers, Fulfillment Houses, and Customers.

Among documents that trading partners can exchange electronically are inventory availability and release/pick lists; advance ship notices; invoices; purchase order requests; purchase order confirmations; and order statuses.

Since the OrderTrax Network standardizes the documents and the exchange of the documents, trading partners can receive Well-Formed Orders™: Orders that adhere to the trading partners’ business rules, are complete and correct the first time, and stay correct through the entire sales pipeline.

In turn, the OrderTrax Network, in combination with the OrderTrax Connector and the Essent Product Configuration Engine, generate orders so accurate they can be processed by computers without a human ever having to look at them.

Savings Could Be Billions Per Year

"The amount of money the promotional products industry can save by eliminating supply chain friction and order processing costs through automatic order processing is estimated to be billions of dollars annually,” shared Mr. Alessi.

The big take away concluded by Mr. Alessi: "With OrderTrax, suppliers, decorators, distributors, and even end customer companies, can integrate once, yet trade with countless trading partners in and outside of the industry, more quickly and cost-effectively than ever.”

Find out more about integration and automatic order processing with a case study and webinar, or by contacting an Essent representative.