Sage 100

I have a customer who has been asked by a large customer to receive their PO via EDI.

They want 

• 850 go on FTP - pull-down PO
• Get back 997 (functional acknowledgment - just says we received)
• Order Ack ( SO ) - 855 detailed acknowledgment
• Shipment made 856 ( Adv Shipment )
• Send invoice 810 electronically
• 997 acknowledgment
• 832 ( product catalog - this is a one-time upload of our catalog with pricing)

I've suggested True Commerce and the pricing that True came back with is a little over $20,000 which has put the customer into a state of shock.

They're now suggesting that we create this in Crystal Reports.

I've done some "light" EDI type exports which are sent nightly but nothing which uses a full EDI set of document as they are being asked.

Is re-creating the EDI documents doable? 

I'm afraid of: 

• Lack of good documentation on each EDI document
• Needing to be responsible for all these documents - sent, receive, acknowledged....
• The company requesting the EDI won't have the resources to debug the output we send to let us know what to correct if the initial documents aren't readable 100%

Am I crazy?

Who has done this before or do you just nope out and insist on an EDI? 
Is there a cheaper more manual way to do this without having to wade in and create and test multiple Crystal exports? 

I know how to create and schedule the export. That isn't the problem. I'm very concerned with the numbers of documents being requested and getting all the relevant exports just right with what's likely to be little doccumentation.

------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990
------------------------------

That's an immediate nope out of using Crystal.  I've done document mapping and even with software designed for creating EDI documents can be complicated.  There are concepts such as looping that would be difficult or impossible to create using Crystal.  Insist on using the right tool for the job.

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Chauffeur, Chef, and Personal Assistant to Sprinkles
------------------------------

FWIW we had a client in a similar situation (inbound PO's and outbound invoices) and they went back to their customer and asked if they could "trade data" via flat files and FTP instead of EDI.  The customer acknowledged that they had that capability and put them in touch with a different team and we were able to set it up using VI exports/imports and batch jobs running via Windows task scheduler.  It's not as elegant as True Commerce but it works well for them for the associated cost.  I have to admit being surprised their customer didn't force them to use EDI and that they had an internal group that provided file layouts and worked with us during the testing and launch.

------------------------------
Bernie Lehman
Lehman Wesley & Associates
------------------------------

Thanks for the feedback - this type of second opinion/experience sharing is very helpful.
My instinct is to decline to write the EDI via Crystal for all of the reasons that you mentioned.

I can see from the standpoint of someone already on EDI that you want as many ( or all ) of your suppliers to also use EDI.

From the supplier point-of-view -- unless that customer is a major revenue source -- you are being asked to pay a big fee to satisfy only one customer. Unless you in turn adopt EDI companywide you probably never see an ROI ( outside of the customer retention factor ).

I would love to hear of anyone who has done this ( written multiple EDI documents ) successfully.

I know there are some in-between services such as companies that will manually translate the documents to/from EDI

I'm also curious aside from SPS Commerce what other Sage integrated services you recommend?


------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 8/18/2021 10:32:00 AM
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: RE: Who has created EDI documents in Crystal vs using an ISV?

Thanks for the feedback - this type of second opinion/experience sharing is very helpful.
My instinct is to decline to write the EDI via Crystal for all of the reasons that you mentioned.

I can see from the standpoint of someone already on EDI that you want as many ( or all ) of your suppliers to also use EDI.

From the supplier point-of-view -- unless that customer is a major revenue source -- you are being asked to pay a big fee to satisfy only one customer. Unless you in turn adopt EDI companywide you probably never see an ROI ( outside of the customer retention factor ).

I would love to hear of anyone who has done this ( written multiple EDI documents ) successfully.

I know there are some in-between services such as companies that will manually translate the documents to/from EDI

I'm also curious aside from SPS Commerce what other Sage integrated services you recommend?


------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990
------------------------------

@Wayne Schulz, does True Commerce still have a non integrated solution?​ If I remember correctly it was significantly less. PO's have to be entered into Sage, but all transactions after that can be "turned around" within the TC app. The product catalog might need a VI to get it out of Sage and a file import into TC.

------------------------------
Greg Stiles
S & W Microsystems
Torrance CA
310.787.1010
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2021 10:36
From: Douglas Luchansky
Subject: Who has created EDI documents in Crystal vs using an ISV?

I have one client using B2B Vision

Thank you,

Douglas Luchansky (from my phone)

ACI Consulting

douglas@ACIconsulting.com

O 714.282.0378 ext. 302

Original Message:
Sent: 8/18/2021 10:32:00 AM
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: RE: Who has created EDI documents in Crystal vs using an ISV?

Thanks for the feedback - this type of second opinion/experience sharing is very helpful.
My instinct is to decline to write the EDI via Crystal for all of the reasons that you mentioned.

I can see from the standpoint of someone already on EDI that you want as many ( or all ) of your suppliers to also use EDI.

From the supplier point-of-view -- unless that customer is a major revenue source -- you are being asked to pay a big fee to satisfy only one customer. Unless you in turn adopt EDI companywide you probably never see an ROI ( outside of the customer retention factor ).

I would love to hear of anyone who has done this ( written multiple EDI documents ) successfully.

I know there are some in-between services such as companies that will manually translate the documents to/from EDI

I'm also curious aside from SPS Commerce what other Sage integrated services you recommend?


------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 8/18/2021 10:57:00 AM
From: Greg Stiles
Subject: RE: Who has created EDI documents in Crystal vs using an ISV?

@Wayne Schulz, does True Commerce still have a non integrated solution?​ If I remember correctly it was significantly less. PO's have to be entered into Sage, but all transactions after that can be "turned around" within the TC app. The product catalog might need a VI to get it out of Sage and a file import into TC.

------------------------------
Greg Stiles
S & W Microsystems
Torrance CA
310.787.1010
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2021 10:36
From: Douglas Luchansky
Subject: Who has created EDI documents in Crystal vs using an ISV?

I have one client using B2B Vision

Thank you,

Douglas Luchansky (from my phone)

ACI Consulting

douglas@ACIconsulting.com

O 714.282.0378 ext. 302

I would recommend using a web (cloud) based interface to get started.  I have a client using True Commerce web module with six or so trading partners.  They get two - three orders per week (small volume).  They print the PO from the web site.  Enter into Sage.  Ship.  They then enter invoice information back into the TC website.  Works very nicely for small volume companies.  They currently pay $74 per month for the package.  Happy client.

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
FORMER 90M Board Member -140,000,000 is a TERRIBLE thing to waste!!!
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
540-221-4444
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2021 11:16
From: Douglas Luchansky
Subject: Who has created EDI documents in Crystal vs using an ISV?

They do have a non-integrated solution for sure

 

 

Thank you,

 

 

 

Douglas Luchansky

ACI Consulting

p 714.282.0378 ext. 302    f 714.282.0235

 

douglas@ACIconsulting.com

 

                    

This communication, including attachments, is confidential and may contain proprietary information intended only for the proposed recipient. Please notify the sender and delete this message if you believe that you have received this message in error or if you are not the proposed recipient. Unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of the information is strictly prohibited.

 

 

 

 

Original Message:
Sent: 8/18/2021 10:57:00 AM
From: Greg Stiles
Subject: RE: Who has created EDI documents in Crystal vs using an ISV?

@Wayne Schulz, does True Commerce still have a non integrated solution?​ If I remember correctly it was significantly less. PO's have to be entered into Sage, but all transactions after that can be "turned around" within the TC app. The product catalog might need a VI to get it out of Sage and a file import into TC.

------------------------------
Greg Stiles
S & W Microsystems
Torrance CA
310.787.1010
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2021 10:36
From: Douglas Luchansky
Subject: Who has created EDI documents in Crystal vs using an ISV?

I have one client using B2B Vision

Thank you,

Douglas Luchansky (from my phone)

ACI Consulting

douglas@ACIconsulting.com

O 714.282.0378 ext. 302

Original Message:
Sent: 8/18/2021 10:32:00 AM
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: RE: Who has created EDI documents in Crystal vs using an ISV?

Thanks for the feedback - this type of second opinion/experience sharing is very helpful.
My instinct is to decline to write the EDI via Crystal for all of the reasons that you mentioned.

I can see from the standpoint of someone already on EDI that you want as many ( or all ) of your suppliers to also use EDI.

From the supplier point-of-view -- unless that customer is a major revenue source -- you are being asked to pay a big fee to satisfy only one customer. Unless you in turn adopt EDI companywide you probably never see an ROI ( outside of the customer retention factor ).

I would love to hear of anyone who has done this ( written multiple EDI documents ) successfully.

I know there are some in-between services such as companies that will manually translate the documents to/from EDI

I'm also curious aside from SPS Commerce what other Sage integrated services you recommend?


------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990

Did not know that B2B was still around. Their website does not appear to have been updated since 2014 ( they reference attending Sage Summit in that year ).

------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2021 10:36
From: Douglas Luchansky
Subject: Who has created EDI documents in Crystal vs using an ISV?

I have one client using B2B Vision

Thank you,

Douglas Luchansky (from my phone)

ACI Consulting

douglas@ACIconsulting.com

O 714.282.0378 ext. 302

Original Message:
Sent: 8/18/2021 10:32:00 AM
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: RE: Who has created EDI documents in Crystal vs using an ISV?

Thanks for the feedback - this type of second opinion/experience sharing is very helpful.
My instinct is to decline to write the EDI via Crystal for all of the reasons that you mentioned.

I can see from the standpoint of someone already on EDI that you want as many ( or all ) of your suppliers to also use EDI.

From the supplier point-of-view -- unless that customer is a major revenue source -- you are being asked to pay a big fee to satisfy only one customer. Unless you in turn adopt EDI companywide you probably never see an ROI ( outside of the customer retention factor ).

I would love to hear of anyone who has done this ( written multiple EDI documents ) successfully.

I know there are some in-between services such as companies that will manually translate the documents to/from EDI

I'm also curious aside from SPS Commerce what other Sage integrated services you recommend?


------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 8/18/2021 2:01:00 PM
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: RE: Who has created EDI documents in Crystal vs using an ISV?

Did not know that B2B was still around. Their website does not appear to have been updated since 2014 ( they reference attending Sage Summit in that year ).

------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2021 10:36
From: Douglas Luchansky
Subject: Who has created EDI documents in Crystal vs using an ISV?

I have one client using B2B Vision

Thank you,

Douglas Luchansky (from my phone)

ACI Consulting

douglas@ACIconsulting.com

O 714.282.0378 ext. 302

I have one Sage 100 account that just implemented B2B Gateway which had a low start up cost and works well with Sage 100.  Problem is that it was recently acquired by True Commerce and most of their support people have left so it has been painfully slow to get any new trading partners setup.  I'm not sure if B2B Gateway will still be able to offer their solution and pricing model to new accounts now that it is under the True Commerce umbrella.

------------------------------
Steve Engmann, MBA, CMA
DSD Business Systems
Appleton, WI
o: 800-627-9032 x-126
m: 920-428-2806
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2021 10:31
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Who has created EDI documents in Crystal vs using an ISV?

Thanks for the feedback - this type of second opinion/experience sharing is very helpful.
My instinct is to decline to write the EDI via Crystal for all of the reasons that you mentioned.

I can see from the standpoint of someone already on EDI that you want as many ( or all ) of your suppliers to also use EDI.

From the supplier point-of-view -- unless that customer is a major revenue source -- you are being asked to pay a big fee to satisfy only one customer. Unless you in turn adopt EDI companywide you probably never see an ROI ( outside of the customer retention factor ).

I would love to hear of anyone who has done this ( written multiple EDI documents ) successfully.

I know there are some in-between services such as companies that will manually translate the documents to/from EDI

I'm also curious aside from SPS Commerce what other Sage integrated services you recommend?


------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990
------------------------------

Update on this search.
Thank you to everyone in the group who provided feedback on the various options that exist -- including the web-based interface which appears to be about 1/10th the price.

The customer was initially quoted about $20k out of the gate.
After recovering they continued to research and got True Commerce to quote the web-based option which seems like it may be a little more manual but is around $2,000 vs the $20,000 that they wanted initially.

We will see whether the customer blames me for this glaring misprice or thinks I was in on trying to oversell them ... 

Below is what they're being quoted now for their monthly transaction fee ( in addition to the $2k for the web-based option )...


------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990
------------------------------