Welch's Outsources EDI

In 2006, Welch's determined that its internal IT staff was needed to implement and support a new Oracle ERP solution, leaving insufficient resources to maintain and support its existing Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system. Rather than hire additional staff to manage the EDI system, Welch's elected to outsource this capability to SPS Commerce, a trading partner integration center offering fully outsourced EDI and catalog functions. Beginning this spring, SPS Commerce will take over the responsibility of electronically connecting Welch's to more than 80 percent of its grocery and general merchandise trading partners. Integrated with Welch's internal systems, SPS Commerce's EDI service will ensure that Welch's complies with customer requirements for order management, shipping and invoicing. With the new outsourcing agreement, Welch's will no longer need to staff, support or maintain its EDI function or its associated hardware and infrastructure. "At Welch's, the underlying decision criteria for any IT initiative is to provide solutions that advance Welch's competitive position in our markets and better service our customers," says Larry Rencken, chief information officer, Welch's. "By outsourcing our EDI to SPS Commerce, Welch's can enhance its commitment to meet the growing integration demands of its customers, while focusing our attention on Welch's Oracle implementation." //