ICI Paints has employed the webMethods Enterprise Services, a key component of webMethods Fabric platform, as the foundation for its next-generation B2B integration infrastructure. ICI Paints anticipates a reduction in transactional costs. The deployment also extends ICI Paints' commitment to Fabric, which it initially used for integrating its customer relationship management operations with its external supply chain.
Fabric is a business integration platform that "binds information technology into the fabric of the business and provides greater process visibility and control," according to the Fairfax, Va.-based developer.
Until recently, ICI Paints relied on traditional B2B exchanges, which typically meant using electronic data interchange over expensive value-added networks. For other customers, orders were processed manually via telephone and fax.
By standardizing on the webMethods Enterprise Services platform as the integration backbone supporting these operations, ICI Paints has been able to significantly reduce the EDI costs typically borne by customers.
"One of the pillars of ICI's strategy is a strong technology and innovation platform," says Anne Sharp, IT director at ICI Paints. "We've been able to automate the exchange of orders, acknowledgement of receipts, and delivery of advanced shipping notices and invoices with four key customers who generate several hundred orders every day. This enables us to process orders faster and more efficiently, which ultimately benefits our customers."
ICI Paints is one of the international businesses of the ICI Group, a $9.7bn global conglomerate of businesses that develop and market paints, foods, fragrances and personal care products. ICI Paints produces and distributes such paint and decorative products brands as Dulux, Cuprinol and Polycell.
More information is available at www.webmethods.com.