Bretten, Germany, December 2, 2004 – To meet its customer ASDA’s requirements and strengthen its competitive position, Federal-Mogul has adopted an Internet-based data interchange solution using EDIINT AS2 and the SEEBURGER Business Integration Server, which handles Federal-Mogul’s communications between its European locations and with its customers and suppliers.

Federal-Mogul supplies carmakers and the replacement parts market all over the world with vehicle components, sub-systems, modules and service systems. Founded in Detroit in 1899, Federal-Mogul today has over 45,000 employees in 29 countries. In the second quarter of 2004, Federal-Mogul embarked, with assistance from SEEBURGER, on a partial transition of EDI communication from the classic value-added network (VAN) to Internet-based data interchange based on the new EDIINT AS2 standard.

What triggered the decision was major customer ASDA’s desire to migrate communications with all suppliers to EDIINT AS2. “Value-added networks may long have proved their worth in many industries by ensuring secure message interchange using the mailbox process based on the X.400 protocol,” says Jon Head, explaining the previous procedure, “but the high monthly costs are a clear disadvantage, and they increase with each extra business partner.” That is why EDIINT AS2 offers a low-cost alternative, enabling the companies concerned to cut their EDI communication costs considerably.

Federal-Mogul did not find it difficult to decide in favour of EDIINT AS2. It realised that by supporting ASDA’s IT strategy it would strengthen its own position as a supplier. “What is more, we too wanted to benefit from the advantages of AS2,” Head adds. “Before adopting the certificated SEEBURGER EDIINT AS2 solution we exchanged all incoming orders, delivery notes and outgoing invoices with ASDA via a VAN connection. When ASDA outlined to us its EDIINT AS2 strategy, we realised immediately that it was a more efficient solution, being direct and costing less.”

The AS2 component, Web server and http software were installed on the Business Integration Server within a day. Further tests and setting up the Internet-based data interchange with ASDA were completed in two to three weeks. “It made sense to involve SEEBURGER directly in the configuration, set-up and tests,” Head concludes. “In that way the AS2 implementation went ahead smoothly.”

Federal-Mogul can now offer its business partners a choice of EDI communication channels. Depending on their requirements they can opt either for the traditional route via OFTP/ISDN or for the new approach using a secure Internet connection. The company can give its partners a free hand where data formats are concerned, too. The Business Integration Server can convert any file into the SAP IDOC format that Federal-Mogul requires. “So we are strengthening our customer-supplier relations and are well prepared for future customer requirements,” says a delighted Jon Head.

About SEEBURGER

SEEBURGER AG is the only vendor to realise total partner integration based on a broad spectrum of integration technologies. Business partners can be linked up, regardless of their existing IT infrastructure and technologies. SEEBURGER also offers suplementary services such as e.g. outsourcing, consulting, roll-out, support and a 100% partner integration programme. It lays the foundation for collaborative commerce, rendering B-to-B integration as easily accessible as electricity from the power point. Customers benefit from its extensive industry expertise and know-how from more than 6,500 projects for companies such as Beiersdorf, Coca Cola, Colgate Palmolive, DHL, Kraft Foods, Porsche, Siemens, Toys “R” us, Volkswagen and others. SEEBURGER AG, which started business in 1986 in Bretten, Germany, has grown strongly and today has subsidiaries in ten countries around the Globe.

For further information, visit www.seeburger.com

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