The MPO Supply Chain Suite includes a powerful System Integration Tool (SIT) for system integration across partner systems in the supply chain.
The EAI/B2B integration platform is geared to for logistics communication by taking care of the electronic exchange of messages between clients, logistics service providers and carriers without the need to change existing systems. The System Integration Tool supports data communication between systems through any accepted standard protocol, e.g. HTTP, FTP, AS1, AS2, E-Mail and SMS. It also translates messages ‘from any to any’ format, e.g. XML, EDI, Flatfile, CIDX, Excel, SOAP and Rossetanet.
A wide variety of system interfaces are supported, such as:
- Customer interface: e.g. sales order, status update and return order
- Carrier interface: e.g. transport booking, status update and invoice
- Supplier interface: e.g. purchase order, dispatch advice and receipt confirmation
- Internal interface: e.g. ERP, WMS and Financial System
The System Integration Tool is optional. You can integrate the systems either via this tool, or with your own Enterprise Application Integration platform.
Data Communication
The Data Communication Engine enables exchange of data between your systems and those of your partners in the supply chain. Data communication takes place through any accepted standard protocol, such as
- AS1/AS2
- HTTP(s)
- FTP and Secure FTP
- E-Mail (SMTP/POP3/IMAP)
- SMS
- ……
Message Conversion
The Message Conversion Engine translates the messages from and to the available and desired message formats. The Engine translates “any to any” format. The supported message formats include:
- EDI (EDIFACT)
- XML (RosettaNet)
- Flatfile (ASCII)
- IDOC (SAP)
- Excel
- Any customized message format in bilateral agreements
- ……
Flow Control
The Flow Control Engine adds functions to split and merge messages, provides the decision rules for scenario-based interfacing and performs interface monitoring and reporting. The message exchange frequency can be:
- Real-time
- Batch
- Periodically
- Daily
- ……
Supported Interfaces
From a functional point of view, all kinds of interface types in supply chains are supported. This includes ERP interfaces, WMS interfaces, TMS interfaces and carrier interfaces. Below is a typical example of an interface message scenario across the MPO SCS and other systems in the supply chain.
Supported Systems
The MPO SCS has proven interfaces with many systems of Customers, Logistics Servcie Providers and Carriers. Some examples are interfaces to and from SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards (ERP/Finance), Intertour (route planning system), Carcube (board computers), Red Prairie (WMS) and Export document online (custom system).