EC Outlook and Symbol Technologies Bring Sophisticated Enterprise Systems to Global 1000 Trading Partner Network
Tuesday May 22, 7:59 am Eastern Time (2001)
Press Release
2D Bar Coding Capabilities Maximize Logistics Efficiencies
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2001--EC Outlook, a software provider that automates collaborative commerce activities for Global 1000 companies and their trading partners, has formed an agreement with Symbol Technologies, Inc., (NYSE:SBL - news) a global leader in mobile data management systems. The alliance will enable EC Outlook to offer two dimensional (2D) bar coding technology to its suite of software applications.
EC Outlook customers will now have the capability to quickly and cost-effectively 2D bar-code-enable their trading partners without the need for them to install sophisticated or expensive enterprise software. By bar-code-enabling these supplier companies and eliminating cumbersome and time-consuming processes, EC Outlook delivers real value to both its customers and their entire trading partner network by improving productivity and profitability. EC Outlook's applications are capable of generating a standard PDF417 label, as well as 2D bar codes.
``Our collaboration with EC Outlook means that smaller trading partners and highly valued suppliers to Global 1000 companies now have access to sophisticated enterprise systems including 2D bar coding,'' said Greg Anunson, senior manager, business development for Symbol Technologies.
How It Works
EC Outlook's new 2D bar-coding capability is powered by the company's flagship data integration product, Smart Document Interchange (SDI) Server(TM) software. SDI Server rapidly translates data to and from any structured format. Specialized EC Outlook applications, such as electronic order management (EOM), run on top of SDI Server to automate and optimize specific business processes.
Companies using EC Outlook's EOM enable their trading partners to generate 2D bar coded shipping labels in the following manner:
*The purchasing company transmits a purchase order (PO) document from its back-end system to the Web-hosted SDI Server application via communications software or a VAN Interconnect. (Typically, documents are sent as ANSI x12 EDI data, but can be sent in any consistent file format.) Included with the PO document is the data to be used for generating a shipping label.
* Upon receipt of the electronic document, SDI Server translates the document and automatically routes it to the EOM application which presents the order to the supplier through the Internet.
* Using only a PC and a browser the supplier is able to retrieve the PO. Clicking a link on the PO creates a 2D bar coded shipping label which can then be printed and affixed to the package(s).
* Upon delivery, the receiving clerk at a remote warehouse can scan the package(s) with a wireless scanner, verifies data and accepts order. Data is automatically uploaded to SDI Server, translated into the appropriate at a format and routed to the customer company's business system.
``Our data integration platform is engineered to be highly adaptable to other value-added technologies,'' said Dean Fischer, executive vice president and general manager of EC Outlook. ``The addition of bar code technology is the first of what will be a steady stream of advancements to help companies benefit from the universal B-to-B integration capabilities and process improvements our products and services offer.''
About EC Outlook
EC Outlook's software applications automate collaborative commerce activities between Global 1000 companies and their trading partners. Powered by SDI Server(TM) software, these applications enable customers and partners to quickly connect with one another to share information, regardless of size, technical sophistication or existing infrastructure. By overcoming connectivity and data disparity issues, customers have achieved increased revenues, working capital reductions and short-term payback on their investment. For more information, visit www.ecoutlook.com. |
