We are looking for advice on "best practices" in migrating to a new
version of the EDI standards. We are as interested in "war stories" as we
are in best practices, so any related experiences or advice you care to
share, good or bad, would be welcome and appreciated.
Here is a description of our current environment:
1. Our translation software is GENTRAN:Server for the AS/400,
Version 2.0. Our VAN is Commerce:Network (Sterling). We don't do any
direct connects with any of our trading partners.
2. We do not have a separate test box and have only one copy of our
translator, so all processing must be done on our production box.
3. We use one network communications ID for all test and production
transactions, and use internal files to control the actual status of each
trading partner by document. We do set the flags within the translator for
each trading partner, but the translator flags do not drive any of our
processes.
4. We transmit 850s and 860s (version 3040) to our vendors for
Distribution Center replenishment purchase orders ("DC POs") only.
5. We do not transmit 850s and 860s for our store-generated
purchase orders ("Store POs"). Store POs are sent via auto-fax.
6. Most of our vendors who currently receive our DC POs via EDI
also receive Store POs.
7. We receive 810s (version 3060) for all purchases, regardless of
whether the corresponding PO was transmitted via EDI or not.
Here is what we want to do:
1. Continue to transmit DC PO transactions (850s and 860s) to all
trading partners as "production" in version 3040.
2. Begin transmitting same DC PO transactions (850s and 860s) to
all trading partners as "test" in the new version (would probably occur in
the same transmission as the production transactions).
3. Begin transmitting Store PO transactions (850s and 860s) to all
trading partners as "test" in the new version only. NOTE: Store POs
contain additional information not currently found on our DC POs, so store
POs will contain additional EDI segments and elements.
4. After a specified period of time, we would drop version 3040 for
all trading partners, and transmit documents only in the new version.
5. We will probably migrate to a new version for 810s after our 850
/ 860 migration is complete, but we would still appreciate advice on version
migration for inbound documents, too.
Is this feasible? What is the best way to accomplish this without
disrupting the production processes (ours and our vendors')? What words of
wisdom do you have for us? Thank you in advance for whatever information
and advice you can provide.
Sincerely,
Jayne
THIS MESSAGE IS FROM:
Jayne Gillette, EDI Coordinator
Heilig-Meyers Furniture - Richmond, VA
(804) 784-7557
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