Case Study

 

Customer Challenge

 

Business Need

With an EDI department that consisted of one full-time employee who was also the firewall administrator, this busy consumer packaged goods manufacturer needed to streamline their communications solutions. Two critical connections to major mass merchandisers were handled directly. The company’s other major distribution channel was through two large distributor networks that were currently operating through different VAN connections. VAN charges were quickly becoming cost prohibitive as their fees were based on inventory turnover and were growing as the company was growing sales. Managing the complexity and coordination with multiple connections was becoming increasingly time-consuming and stressful. Ensuring security of the data being transferred was critical as it contained partner-specific pricing and product codes.

IT Issue

Although they only had four connections supporting all of their product distribution, security was paramount to all parties involved in these daily transactions. A single solution would certainly ease stress and reduce opportunities for error, especially with only one administrator in place. Accommodating the communication preferences of both of their major mass merchandisers – one for AS2 and one for SFTP – was also a requirement. In addition, the VANs strongly recommended AS2 and HTTPs as their file transfer protocols to avoid additional fees over and above the base data transformation charges. While security was always important to this manufacturer, it was becoming increasingly critical as they had recently recognized some data vulnerabilities in the DMZ – their data was not protected throughout the entire file transfer. These vulnerabilities left some mission-critical information open to interception.

 

Cleo Solution

LexiCom enables this manufacturer to meet all protocol requirements with one single solution, both today and into the future. File transfer logs are hosted in one solution, saving time as the administrator now only has to check one place to view the status of all file transfers. Security is built into all of the protocols in LexiCom. Additional security exists in the DMZ with the addition of VLProxy, which protects the company from any unauthorized data entering their internal firewall. Each of their trading relationships is in place using three pre-configured hosts and one newly created host at no additional cost. Secure communications are in place. The DMZ is more secure. Increasing VAN costs are a thing of the past. Their communications are now simplified and secure, so they can get back to growing their business.

 

Success Snapshot

Size:: $184 Million
Profile: 250 Employees, More Than 40 Years in Business
Software and Services: LexiCom & VLProxy
Country/Region: North America
Business Need: Streamline Communications
IT Issue: Multiple Protocol Requirements & Improved Security

 

 

Consumer Packaged Goods Case Study - PDF