Garmin - one of Europe’s largest wholesale distributors of incar GPS navigation units is using a combination of XML and EDI so that they can invoice their customers electronically. In other words no paper invoices, purchase orders or other documents need to be sent or received. “The efficiency gains have been tremendous”, says Kenneth Aabenhus, Financial and IT Director for Garmin. “This has led to a significant improvement in our competitiveness, helping us to win large contracts with FMCG chains such as MERLIN, COOP and ALDI, as well as trade with Government bodies such as the Danish Police.”
The move to electronic trading has been made possible with the adoption of leading XML and EDI technology through a technology partnership between FormPipe Software and PROGRATOR.
Trade is becoming Digital
The move to electronic trading was prompted by a number of Garmin’s customers when they were asked to send invoices electronically typically via EDI, however they had others that were requesting OIOXML as this was the format required by Government organisations under the new e-invoicing Danish Law. Garmin wanted a solution that would offer them both options, that would also automate and simplyfy the conversion of their ERP data to EDIFACT or OIOXML.