RE: Wal Mart AS2 issue -- MIDRANGE-L

Patrick:
I had a long talk with someone at Walmart (perhaps you did too).  The
bottom line is that GXS, Advantis and Ordernet are "implementation
partners", ie they can help a company become AS2 compliant.  Our company
can also do that.  Walmart will not let anyone be only the
communications gateway.  If you want to use an outsourcer for BOTH EDI
and AS2, that is fine, but not for AS2 only.  I was envisioning a
service where a GXS could be the AS2 server, always on line and
sending/receiving data with Walmart.  Then Joe's Widget Company could
dial GXS and pick up their Walmart orders from the GXS mailbox.  Walmart
says no.  They do not want to have to deal with one person for AS2 and
another for EDI.  They also said that they will ONLY dial with software
that has been AS2 certified by the UCC.  I am not sure if there are any
AS/400 vendors on that list.  I would guess that would only be you or
TrailBlazer.  Any idea?
cjg

Carl J. Galgano
EDI Consulting Services, Inc.
550 Kennesaw Avenue, Suite 800
Marietta, GA  30060
(770) 422-2995 - voice
(419) 730-8212 - fax
mailto:cgalgano@ediconsulting.com
http://www.ediconsulting.com
AS400 EDI, Networking, E-Commerce and Communications Consulting and
Implementation
http://www.icecreamovernight.com
Premium Ice Cream Brands shipped Overnight

"You ain't gonna learn what you don't want to know" - rw

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-admin@midrange.com
[mailto:midrange-l-admin@midrange.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Townsend
Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2002 10:14 PM
To: midrange-l@midrange.com
Subject: Re: Wal Mart AS2 issue


Carl,

I've got a bit more information on the GXS AS2 gateway to Wal-Mart. It
is true that Wal-Mart has accepted GXS as an out-sourcing partner for
those suppliers who've identified GXS, and are using GXS, as their EDI
out-source partner. However, Wal-Mart would prefer to work directly with
suppliers who are not currently using GXS. You can contact me off-list
if you would like more information about this.

Patrick



----- Original Message -----
From: "Carl Galgano" <cgalgano2@ediconsulting.com>
To: <midrange-l@midrange.com>
Sent: Monday, December 16, 2002 11:13 AM
Subject: RE: Wal Mart AS2 issue


> Patrick:
> Thanks for the info.  This is interesting.  I had hoped that we could
> provide the gateway services, but at lease SOMEONE can.  I hope you
> don't mind, but I am going to cross post this to an EDI list I
> subscribe to.  I think the info will be very helpful and there is also

> a GXS guy on there that can also confirm this.  I guess it wont hurt
> also to have a plug in their for your comm solutions.  If I have any
> new relevant info, I will send it to you. Regards,
> cjg
>
> Carl J. Galgano
> EDI Consulting Services, Inc.
> 550 Kennesaw Avenue, Suite 800
> Marietta, GA  30060
> (770) 422-2995 - voice
> (419) 730-8212 - fax
> mailto:cgalgano@ediconsulting.com http://www.ediconsulting.com
> AS400 EDI, Networking, E-Commerce and Communications Consulting and
> Implementation
> http://www.icecreamovernight.com
> Premium Ice Cream Brands shipped Overnight
>
> "You ain't gonna learn what you don't want to know" - rw
>
>
>
> Hi Carl,
>
> I took this question to GXS on Friday afternoon and got an update from

> them today. GXS (formerly GE Information Services) has *just* been
> approved as a third party AS2 outsourcer for Walmart. This just
> happened so you were quite correct in your message last week. But
> things are changing fast! Here is a recap from my source at GXS (some
> summarization done for clarity):
>
> =====>
> Walmart have opened their doors to allow GXS be an AS2 outsourcing
> provider for Walmart's suppliers.  Our customers can elect GXS to be
> their AS2 outsourcing solution.  Walmart also stated that they will
> soon setup GXS on their Retail*Link site to log on and request a test
> date on our customers behalf. Until that happens GXS customers should
> continue to go to the web site on Retail*Link, request a test date
> with GXS resources identified as technical contacts and GXS as their
> AS2 provider.
>
> Walmart did say they had resource issues for implementation and are
> looking at beginning of February to increase their ramping
> capabilities. Expect this type of lead time to begin testing. <======
>
> Given the costs associated with AS2 software I think the GXS solution
> will make a lot of sense for many AS/400 users. You can continue use
> your normal EDI translator and deploy a dial or secure Internet
> connection to GXS. GXS will provide the AS2 interface to Walmart.
>
> Disclaimers:  We do not have any financial relationship with GXS. As
> you are probably aware we do sell AS/400 software that provides secure

> Internet communications with GXS (and other Value Added Networks). We
> also sell EDI translation software.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Patrick
>
>
>
> > Patrick:
> > This is not true.  We are currently working with many of our EDI
> > clients that need to do AS2 comm with Walmart.  We kicked around the

> > idea of providing a BSC to AS2 gateway for Walmart, but, we have
> > been told that Walmart will ONLY allow a 3rd party to do the AS2
> > communications if that party is ALSO the EDI outsourcer.  They do
> > not want to have to deal with one vendor for AS2 and another for
> > EDI. cjg
> >
> > Carl J. Galgano
>
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