RL - Retail

axway.com 2 Now Axway B2Bi is helping Varner up its game by: • Integrating EDI with existing systems • Providing comprehensive support for emerging formats and protocols "A key consideration for us was compatibility with our ERP system, Infor M3. Axway is a long-time partner of Infor and developed the M3 interface that connects Infor to the Axway B2Bi solution," said Holt-Jacobsen. The Infor M3 ERP system handles Varner's back-end processing, while the Axway solution connects Varner to the outside world of partners, suppliers and providers. "Our priority was to ensure support for our EDI messaging," said Holt- Jacobsen, "and Axway B2Bi gives us native support for a full range of EDI formats. But the main new thing with Axway B2Bi is its support for new transportation protocols, including Web Services and Secure FTP. Although incredibly stable, the earlier solution didn't have those capabilities, while B2Bi has an extensive range." Holt-Jacobsen continued, "From the standpoint of added value, we're seeing the same level of stability in Axway B2Bi." Enabling business processes Getting the right merchandise to the right store at the right time In the retail business, stock availability is key for sustaining competitive advantage and customer loyalty. To ensure that apparel is replenished efficiently, Varner uses Axway B2Bi to enable vital business processes, including: • Sales and inventory reporting. The stores send daily sales and inventory reports to Varner headquarters. Varner's central ordering system compiles the data and calculates the need for new merchandise to replenish the stock. • Purchasing. "We use Axway B2Bi to send purchase orders and receive order confirmation and shipment confirmation," said Holt-Jacobsen. "We also receive invoices for merchandise sent by external suppliers." • Logistics. "A key function of Axway B2Bi is logistics bookings for transportation from our distribution center and central warehouse to our stores," said Holt-Jacobsen. "Without these bookings, merchandise would never reach the stores." • Payments. "We also use Axway B2Bi to send all our payment orders, so integration with our financial partner is quite important," stated Holt-Jacobsen. Overall, these business processes are the basis for Varner's automated replenishment process, enabled by Axway B2Bi. Growing the business A smooth transition to Axway B2Bi While quick to adopt new concepts in retailing, Varner is careful to properly manage its expansion. "For the last seven or eight years, we've added about 100 stores per year," said Holt-Jacobsen. "We have internal and external brands to manage, five distribution warehouses, and sorting is done at two facilities at our third-party transporters." Our priority was to ensure support for our EDI messaging. Axway B2Bi gives us native support for new transportation protocols. Ole Martin Holt-Jacobsen, Head of Business Applications, Varner Retail AS

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