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Large commercial enterprises and financial firms already have adopted electronic data interchange (EDI) to integrate their trading partners and make transactions more efficient. To extend the benefits of EDI to thousands of medium and smaller firms in Brazil, Mitsubishi International Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation of Brazil and Intec, a leading Japanese provider of EDI and electronic commerce services, have established a joint venture called AccesStage. Efficient Document Exchange Introduced more than 20 years ago, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a mature technology, forecast by IDC to exceed $2.3 trillion in purchases worldwide in 2005. EDI is the computer-to-computer exchange of information using standard formatted electronic transactions. These transactions typically include, but are not limited to, sending purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, and other frequently used business documents such as forms-based EDI documents. Relatively high costs have made it difficult to extend the benefits of EDI to smaller firms, but developments in web-based technologies such as Extensible Mark-up Language (XML) are making it possible to use Internet Protocol (IP) networks to communicate documents in EDI formats, enabling the integration of small and medium-sized firms into more efficient electronic trading networks. Solutions for the Supply Chain AccesStage enables firms to share information with their trading partners. The benefits – lower costs, improved accuracy, greater transaction efficiency and increased worker productivity – allow companies to strategically share information up and down the supply chain, thus enhancing knowledge of market trends. Employing EDI, manufacturers can exchange purchase orders, invoices and production schedules with their suppliers. They can also share purchase orders, invoice payments and Point-of-Sale (POS) information with their distribution and retail channel partners. AccesStage offers solution sets tailored to the differing requirements of its customers. It can provide solutions for medium and smaller firms that have fewer trading partners and access the network through a standard web browser. It can also address the needs of large enterprises that may be the trading hub for hundreds of companies. Relieving Ports of Paper Congestion As Brazil's international commerce has increased, paper-based documentation has created a bottleneck for importers and exporters at three major ports. To address this problem, AccesStage is implementing an automation process for organizations utilizing shipping companies, freight forwarders, port and terminal operators, as well as government authorities such as Customs, the Federal Police and the Manpower Union. The goal is to replace paper processes with electronic forms, speeding up the import and export process while providing authorities and companies with full visibility of cargo movements. Companies participating in Brazil's foreign trade sector can utilize AccesStage to reduce the time and costs of handling trade documentation. Since the establishment of the joint venture three years ago, AccesStage has acquired more than 12,000 customers and access to its EDI system is growing at the rate of 300 to 500 new customers per month. Furthermore, AccesStage serves about 80% of the companies using EDI in Port Santos, the largest port in Brazil. The company has also begun implementation at the port in Rio de Janeiro, and has plans to implement its system at Brazil's third-largest port, Vitoria. It plans, as well, to expand its services to the automobile industry. About Mitsubishi Corporation of Brazil A wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Mitsubishi Corporation of Brazil is part of MC's network of offices and affiliates in the Americas that can provide customer solutions across multiple markets. The company began operations in 1954 and is headquartered in Sao Paolo with an office in Rio de Janeiro. Principal business areas are Machinery (43%), Metals (24%), Living Essentials (24%), Chemicals (5%) and Energy (4%). Along with AccesStage, MC Brazil has investments in four other companies in mining, coffee and office automation. |
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