Morrisons mandate new EDI messages

Morrisons is on a new strategic drive to tighten up its supply chain processes.

The UK supermarket giant recently notified its fresh produce suppliers that it would be implementing a new system for the rapid transmission of order information. The objective is to increase their operational efficiencies in the buying, moving and selling of fresh products.

The new mandated EDI message types will automate elements of the Morrisons fresh supply chain. This digitisation also provides greater flexibility and visibility to all parties involved. The roll-out is in progress across existing suppliers and will be a requirement for all new fresh food trading connections.

Our client and producer of premium fresh milkshakes,  Shaken Udder, already exchange invoices and orders documents with Morrisons using a Transalis eDI™ solution.

However, they have recently been notified that they need to extend the EDI message set to also include:

• ASNs (Advanced Shipping Notices)
• PORs (Purchase Order Response)
• EPODs (Electronic Proof of Delivery)

Morrisons notified Shaken Udder that they would be required to send an ASN via EDI when a delivery was despatched to a Fresh Distribution Centre. This ASN message needs to contain product details, such as; shelf-life dates, quantity and weight of the delivery.

Morrisons now also require a POR via EDI upon receipt of a purchase order. The POR is used to confirm whether or not Shaken Udder is able to fulfil the order requested.

In addition, the Shaken Udder must also be able to accept EPOD messages from Morrisons, once a delivery had been made.

Transalis eDI™ allows users to send and receive a broad range of standard messages types and offers custom configuration of other non-standard requests.

Cecily Adams, Customer Experience Manager at Transalis comments,

“Many large trading hubs, like Morrisons, are constantly looking at ways they can create efficiencies and tighten up on their supply chain processes. This will often require moving more and more supply chain messaging from a paper-based environment to an EDI paper to digital exchange of data.

“Therefore, companies should protect themselves by ensuring their EDI solution provider is agile and willing to quickly react to changing mandated requirements, placed on suppliers by their retailer hubs, often at very short notice.