Current state and problem
The initial impetus for the introduction of EDI is usually a request from the customer, often a retail chain with a strong negotiating position. This was also the case at SINTRA, where they initially launched EDI communication with METRO Cash & Carry SR. Until then, the circulation of orders and invoices had been inefficiently carried out in paper form. Orders were received by fax or e-mail and were manually transcribed from paper into the Softip information system. The delivery note and invoice were then generated and printed in it, which were sent to the customer together with the goods.
A specific feature of SINTRA is the existence of two large distribution warehouses (Bratislava and Poprad), which it uses for faster and more flexible delivery to its customers. All exchange of commercial documents is carried out through the Bratislava headquarters, and therefore it was necessary to simplify the administration associated with distribution to customers from the "correct" warehouse.
Proposed solution
SINTRA initially used the so-called "webEDI", i.e. a web-based EDI communication solution that is not integrated into the information system. However, the use of the benefits that EDI brings to business and logistics processes is limited in such a case. Although the service meets the requirements of business partners as customers, the supplier must fill in the documents into the web application manually and it is not possible to automatically create them directly from the information system.
Since 2011, SINTRA has been using the ORiON EDI solution, which is provided by GRiT as a service (SaaS - Software as a Service). This means that there is no need to purchase any hardware or software, and at the same time, there is no need to worry about monitoring and managing electronic data exchange, which is completely provided by the solution provider.
All document transmission takes place over secure VAN networks. The ORiON EDI solution itself, which ensures the transmission of millions of business documents per month, meets the strictest security requirements.
Resulting changes
“Thanks to email notifications, we know almost immediately that a specific invoice has been rejected and can therefore immediately address the situation. This means that payments from our customers are not unnecessarily held up, which helps our cash flow.“
How we helped
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