Retailer Fabric Warehouse has installed electronic data interchange (EDI) software to improve supply chain efficiency and margins by enabling secure and fast exchange of transactions.

The specialist fabric chain, which has 40 stores nationwide, has chosen Spectrum 3 EDI software from Freeway Commerce to exchange invoices and orders with its suppliers who are being pushed towards adopting EDI to streamline administration.

Following the departure from its former parent Rosebys, a review of EDI systems highlighted a need to implement an infrastructure for the entire company’s IT systems including payroll, EPOS (electronic point of sale) and human resources.

In line with its IT strategy to adopt EDI as a method of exchanging information for all trading partners, Fabric Warehouse wanted a system that could enable communications with a variety of technologies, and one with a cost-effective web option for smaller traders.

Spectrum 3 integrates with Fabric Warehouse’s back office systems based on Dynamics NAV, part of the Microsoft Dynamics suite, implemented by IT services company K3.

Glenn Aungles, project sponsor and finance director at Fabric Warehouse, says the company chose the EDI system because of its ability to connect with its trading community irrespective of their technology.

‘In particular the low cost web portal included as part of the package made it an extremely attractive solution,’ he said.

‘With the system in place it will help us to significantly improve efficiencies in our supply chain.'