Project AHOLD Czech republic a.s.

(RETAIL - AS2 HUB)

Target of the project:

The main goal of BIS implementation project defined by AHOLD was the solution, which is able to replace the existing EDI system and meet the demands connected with the development of AHOLD company and it´s suppliers community. 

The main demands on the system were:

• replacement of non-effective data exchange by the full integration with ERP system at the database level
• new conception of communication using AS2 technology to minimize the monthly operating costs
• dividing EDI processes in the terms of geographical locations (CZ / SK) and their infrastructures (productive and acceptating) with mutual independence
• integrating EDI system to Ahold IT environment which means to build up a central interface for monitoring and EDI process configuration
• high system performance which has to meet the requirements for data volume processed in the specific time period and which has to process the extremely large files exchange at the same time (considering the priorities of particular processes)
• system customization - roles and user access
• progressive implementation of new messages (RETANN, RECADV, DESADV etc.)

Project´s content:

There was defined a 6 month project plan for Ahold EDI system implementation. After the implementation and connecting the "pilot" partners to AS2 gateway, we executed tests in Ahold acceptating environment. When the acceptance was successfully finished, we started the migration of all suppliers from the past EDI system. After the migration was finished, the system was handed over to the rutine operation. From the technical point of view, the project solved these topics:

• direct reading / logging of EDI documents from / to the database
• the translation of EDI documents (ORDERS, INVOIC, APERAK, AUTACK) according to the UN-Edifact standard
• logging all error statuses to Ahold central monitoring
• to build up an independent electronic invoice archive (DVP EDIStore)
• process for automated sorting of documents (based on ERP systems settings)
• connection to all VAN operators and some suppliers directly via AS2 technology

Benefits for the customer:

• significant cost savings in communication thanks to direct communication via AS2 protocol
• single-purpous modules elimination because of full integration with ERP system
• EDI system parametrization through settings changes in ERP system
• easy backup and system recovery in the case of any accident