RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC — MISG/TRANSNET has been the aftermarket’s premiere method for transmitting electronic purchase orders for almost 30 years. The system enables distributors and retailers to create paperless purchase orders and deliver them to aftermarket manufacturers. When warehouse distributors and retailers send Transnet orders directly to suppliers’ computer systems, errors and order-processing delays are essentially eliminated, resulting in more accurate and timely shipments and improved supply chain relations.

To help suppliers simplify their electronic document exchange programs, the Management Information Systems Group, Inc. (MISG) has launched a major initiative to upgrade the delivery network of this popular EDI (electronic data interchange) application to enable the transaction of Transnet documents over the Internet. MISG is a leading provider of electronic commerce and EDI solutions, managed network systems, trading community management and Web services to the automotive industry.

The Transnet migration, which will take place during 2005, will be seamless and transparent to all subscribers. Warehouse distributors and retailers will experience no change and will continue using their Transnet delivery method. Suppliers will receive Transnet orders through their existing Transnet mailboxes, or they can elect to route them through their Ansinet (MISG’s VAN service) or their TransLink (MISG’s Internet-based EDI service) mailboxes.

Suppliers will benefit greatly from upgrading the technology used to deliver Transnet orders. Using the Internet will expand the service’s flexibility and accessibility. Also, if a manufacturer chooses to eliminate its Transnet mailbox and route all Transnet orders though its Ansinet or TransLink mailbox, its connectivity infrastructure and overall e-commerce environment will be greatly simplified.

“Our development efforts will enable us to move the Transnet service to the Internet and to a current-technology environment without disrupting the aftermarket customer base,” said Alan Jones, president of MISG. “Suppliers will reap the benefits of improved access flexibility and will have the opportunity for a more simplified EDI program.”

During the 1990s, Transnet grew to become one of the most wide-spread EDI systems for a specific supply chain — the automotive aftermarket. Ten years later, the service is still used by more than 2,100 distributors and retailers and 260 manufacturers, processing more than a million purchase orders each year. And while an increasing number of companies are implementing alternate forms of EDI including Value Added Network (VAN), Internet and Web EDI, the Transnet system remains the aftermarket’s most widely-used EDI system. Transnet document formats facilitate standardization among aftermarket companies and will continue to be used as the Transnet network migrates to the Internet.

The upgraded Transnet service expands the EDI/e-commerce applications integrated with or that communicate with, the TransLink suite of solutions offered by MISG, which includes:

Internet EDI – The base network service that transacts EDI documents cost effectively over the Internet;

DCTS – Document Cycle Tracking System enables subscribers to monitor, track and manage their own EDI documents through a Web browser interface;

On-net Translation – TransLink’s server-based translation application converts EDI documents on the network, which eliminates the need for and costs associated with an in-house translation package;

Web Interface – MISG’s Web-based EDI application uses Web browsers to enable non-EDI-capable companies to send, receive, view, print, archive, manage and create return EDI documents.

According to MISG, the Transnet initiative represents another unique way it is utilizing cutting-edge technology to simplify EDI/e-commerce use and reduce costs for the aftermarket.

“In response to the varied needs of aftermarket companies and the continued effort to capitalize on innovative technology to reduce supply chain costs, we offer an extensive suite of EDI Solutions that are scalable to the diverse needs of the aftermarket,” said Earl Losey, vice president of sales for MISG. “Additionally, the Transnet migration to an Internet network opens the door for aftermarket suppliers as well as distributors and retailers to expand their electronic document exchange functionality and realize the benefits of enhanced EDI.”

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