FRESNO, CA - With FSMA 204 quickly approaching, businesses across our industry are looking for ways to streamline communication with trading partners while aiming to enhance efficiency and deliver unparalleled service to their customers. This is where industry innovator Famous Software comes in, wielding its advantageous Famous Integration Services (FIS) tool, a robust EDI solution that operates by directly linking trading partners through the powerful FIS server.

“When discussing our Famous Integration Services with current or prospective clients, their initial disbelief soon turns to awe. The reality is, we have dedicated nearly five decades to the development of a powerful technological framework, comprising products and services designed to streamline and automate labor-intensive tasks,” explains Heather Hammack, President. “Famous Integration Services is an exceptional tool that allows users to seamlessly trade directly with customers and suppliers. And when we say seamless, we mean it. No order re-entry, no re-keying information, everything flows directly into Famous ERP and then back to the customer.”

Famous Software spent years developing this complicated EDI tool, underpinned by advanced Oracle technology. Through this solution, transactions are seamlessly routed to the relevant supplier or customer once processed. Orders are automatically imported into Famous ERP, where they undergo confirmation by the recipient; the originator then receives this confirmation and can implement any necessary changes or adjustments. If modifications are required, the near real-time connection between systems, powered by the FIS server, facilitates swift and efficient adjustments, the release added.

As Kirk Parrish, Managing Partner, explains, “Each piece of the puzzle is critical and unique. Costco’s requirements are different from Kroger’s, which are different from U.S. Foodservice or Amazon Fresh. We spent countless hours creating the infrastructure for this product to make sure that it functions well and allows for the flexibility needed in this industry.”

In 2023 alone, Famous Software processed 6 million transactions between customers and the over 70 trading partners within the FIS universe. The solutions provider expects these numbers to be even higher in 2024.

“An EDI tool like FIS can be a game changer. Communication is faster, clerical errors are reduced, invoices are processed more efficiently, order and product tracking are improved, manual paperwork is eliminated, and labor hours are reduced,” Hammack continues.

The solution also provides a strategic advantage in traceability.

“FIS efficiency is particularly exceptional with Famous-to-Famous transactions,” Hammack elaborates. “The fresh produce supply chain requires additional traceability, and that data needs to be transferred electronically, in real time, with full traceability. We have the right tools in place to facilitate that data transfer with minimal effort required by the users.”

Read more about the solution and its benefits here, and stay tuned for more fresh industry news.