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"SPS Commerce has provided Arena with an outsourced EDI solution that has exceeded my expectations. By outsourcing to SPS Commerce, Arena has been able to improve our productivity and enhance our supply chain relationships."
Keith Ritchie, Corporate IT Director, Arena Brands Inc.
Resources Case Studies
Arena Brands Inc. is the name behind many of the most well-known and respected brands in western apparel, including Lucchese boots, and Stetson, Resistol, and Charlie 1 Horse cowboy hats.
Outgrown Its Manual EDI System
Like many suppliers, Arena Brands has a small IT staff and faced the daily challenge of too many projects and not enough staff or resources. Its EDI system was no exception. Arena owned a PC-based EDI software system that required all communications to be manually entered. Furthermore, it required an IT staff member to monitor it constantly for inbound EDI transactions from their retail customers.
When its retail customers began requiring Advance Ship Notices (ASNs) and other advanced EDI requirements, Keith Ritchie, Arena’s Corporate IT Director, realized that something needed to change, and change quickly. Arena opted to replace the PC-based system and completely outsource their EDI to SPS Commerce. By outsourcing, Arena would be relieved of its EDI operations and could focus on other IT projects, including implementing a new shipping system.
Easy Integration with Oracle
When looking at outsourcing EDI providers, Mr. Ritchie sought out the industry leader with the most EDI expertise. Again and again, he came across SPS Commerce’s name in his research and from discussions with his colleagues.
As the leading Web-based EDI provider, SPS already had a large customer base including many suppliers with the same trading partners as Arena. The EDI mappings for Arena’s transactions were already created and in use by these suppliers today. With its multi-tenant architecture, SPS only needed to be integrated with Arena’ ERP system, Oracle Financials.
Adding Trading Partners in Just Days
Today Arena has EDI connections with 21 trading partners via SPS Commerce and can bring on new trading partners in one or two days. These partners include everyone from the small mom-and-pop western apparel shops, that often don’t have their own EDI capabilities, to large retailers such as Cabela’s, Burlington Coat Factory, Dillards, and LL Bean.
In 2007, Arena’s IT staff discovered that adding new trading partners quickly isn’t just good for business; it also enabled them to shine in front of their executive management:.
For example, Arena’s CEO returned from a business trip to the West Coast on a Tuesday. He mentioned to Mr. Ritchie that one of the customers he had visited would like to do begin doing EDI with Arena. By Friday, Arena’s EDI connections with their retailer were fully implemented and they were already processing orders via EDI.
“SPS Commerce has provided Arena with an outsourced EDI solution that has exceeded my expectations. Using a standardized format to integrate with our Oracle solution, we can quickly add new trading partners without taking time or resources away from other IT projects. While the technology is superior, the best part about partnering with SPS Commerce is their people. Over the past three years, we have been continually impressed by their professionalism, attention to details and EDI expertise. By outsourcing to SPS Commerce, Arena has been able to improve our productivity and enhance our supply chain relationships.”
– Keith Ritchie, Corporate IT Director, Arena Brands Inc.
