EDI-INT from the Supplier Perspective

Dole: The Global Challenge

As B2B e-commerce gains ground in the consumer packaged goods industry, many firms are developing or joining private networks to optimize communication with their business partners. But for large global entities, an external focus alone is not sufficient. Getting critical business data through the door in an acceptable format only solves half the problem. Making that information accessible within an organization made up of complex and diverse divisions throughout the world is the other half.

As a worldwide corporation, Dole manages a diverse network of global shipping, manufacturing and sales operations. Dole's Fresh Fruit Division owns the ships, the ports where they dock, the containers, the shipping yards and warehouse facilities. "We needed a system that would enable connectivity with all of our global operations, as well as support internal systems," says Alan Kenworthy, Systems Business Manager for Dole's Information Technology Services Group (ITSG).

The Dole organization is connected through a worldwide WAN. Around the world, Dole relies on systems based on Hewlett-Packard, iSeries and Windows platforms. With such a complex infrastructure, Dole has made distributing information through its WAN to internal decision-makers a top priority.

DOLE - Connecting global operations for improved efficiencies... Case Study

NAVARRE - Replacing a "less than stellar" solution... Case Study

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