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From The CEO

Filter the noise

What’s the next phase of the e-B2B revolution? What’s the next mandate?

The world of e-commerce seems to be moving at the speed of light. Buzz words abound.

In this blizzard of information, it’s increasingly harder to see real advances.

In this blizzard of information, it’s increasingly harder to see real advances.

Our team remains focused on identifying technologies that give you a competitive edge – and meet your budget constraints.

We like to think that while it’s noisy out there, we’re the calm, forward-thinking voice amid the cacophony.

Best wishes for 2006.

Thuy Mai, CEO

January 2006 Newsletter

DIbrief:

LANSA partnership provides connectivity to the Global Data Synchronization Network

In partnership with LANSA, DiCentral is now offering a fully certified hosted data synchronization solution.

Food manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors that sell to retail chains are required to publish their item information through the UCCnet GLOBALregistry® service. This industry-wide initiative will require compliance by most food, CPG and hardlines suppliers within the next year.

Together, DiCentral and LANSA now offer hosted services with cost effective compliance for cus- tomer data synchronization requirements.

The companies’ solution enables suppliers to continue utilizing DiCentral’s hosted EDI services or leverage their existing infrastructure – and still comply with the Global Data Synchronization Network standards.

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DiCentral Finds Solution

Boscov's Import Vendors Become EDI Compliant

Boscov’s, a department store chain in the Northeast, faced a thorny problem.

While Boscov's domestic suppliers were able to provide advanced shipping notices, allowing the facility's planning and warehouse management software to pre-allocate cartons and convey them directly to shipping docks, the retailer’s Chinese vendors had been exempted.

Shortly before they contacted DiCentral, Changes realized they needed to add EDI to their range of services in order to grow.

Obtaining accurate labels and ASNs from its import vendors seemed impossible. "Data accuracy and speed of throughput are crucial aspects of Boscov’s supply chain. Hardware upgrades and a greater reliance on Advance Ship Notices (ASNs) have enabled us to deploy cost savings techniques such as cross-docking and automated receiving to reduce distribution costs without adding labor.”says Tom Pietrowski, Boscov’s Director of Logistics.

DiCentral, through a partnership with freight forwarder Worldlink Logistics developed a process that enabled Boscov’s to save hours of handling time and perform cross-docking of import shipments.

DiCentral opened a master account for Worldlink Logistics and one sub account for each of the suppliers.

Boscov’s now provides PO’s for select import suppliers in the form of a flat file to DiCentral’s hosted Web-based solutions.

Accuracy and the monitoring of data prior to the creation of EDI documents was an underlying theme for effective trading relationships. A theme that is nothing new to DiCentral whose existing Web applications insure field critical accuracy.

Worldlink Logistics works with the supplier to provide accurate packing information and utilizes the DiCentral solution to create ASNs and print appropriate shipping labels in Hong Kong.

The system enables Boscov to forward cartons directly from ship to truck to the distribution center. Boscov can now cross dock in the distribution center.

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DIbrief

RFID: DiCentral's Next Offering

RFID has been a supply chain focus for several years, and DiCentral is ready to provide the supplier solution across the Industry market.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a rapidly developing technology that carries item and shipment information in a tag. The tag contains a chip and an antenna that can be placed on the individual product, inner pack, carton, pallet or container. The information on the tag can vary. The tagged object can then be traced through the shipping and receipt process.

When compared to barcodes, RFID has similarities in that the tag carries information about the item or shipment. However, the amount of information or what kind of information and the proximity for scanning becomes more flexible with RFID.

Proponents of RFID technology point to expanding usage of the system in smart tags for goods. Unlike a barcode, an RFID tag can be re-programmed and re-used. A package due to be shipped can have its tag programmed at each stage of the delivery chain so when the package is scanned, it will communicate its destination and times for each of its movements along the way.

RFID is bringing a host of benefits to the supply chain, including inventory and out-of-stock reductions, reduced shrinkage, and improved warehouse management. Several industries have also implemented pilot programs for asset management and enforce state regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical products.

Jean Respass, DiCentrals Director of Customer Relations, attended the RFID Health Care Industry Adoption Summit in Arlington, Virginia last November.

Although RFID technology is not widely deployed, DiCentral is taking a close look at each industry's requirements. Our customer base is made up of the wholesalers and manufacturers in the grocery, hardlines and pharmaceutical industries. We want to provide the complete Ecommerce solution from data sync, to EDI or RFID.