DACHSER validates test messages with Cargogear

EDI connections are the technical realization of business processes between companies. If they are easy to implement, this contributes to a quick and smooth establishment of new business relationships overall. For this reason, the logistics company DACHSER decided to carry out EDI validation for transport orders in the areas of sea and air freight, as well as for delivery orders and goods receipt notifications in contract logistics using the Cargogear platform.

The start of the project was initiated by a series of workshops. The aim was to identify typical error patterns and develop a concept for structural and logical tests. It quickly became clear that a single validation interface for transport orders would become confusing. Sea and air freight transports required their own information. In addition, it was necessary to distinguish between preliminary and final transport orders.

As a result, we created four process variants. They share a core of common tests, and each variant has a small set of its own requirements. We followed a similar approach for delivery orders and goods receipt notifications in contract logistics. For example, we created a dedicated process variant for the representation of item lists in delivery orders. This information is only needed by a smaller subset of all data senders. It made sense not to unnecessarily burden the majority of partners with this, while still providing a suitable test if needed.

Following the workshop phase, we implemented these requirements and tested them in close collaboration with DACHSER. The profound and rapid feedback from DACHSER's contacts made it easy to quickly identify open points and develop suitable solutions. This allowed both sides to minimize project downtime. 'For me, this project was a nice example of what sets us apart: We can offer tests that are precisely tailored to the partners' requirements and do not overwhelm them with unnecessary specifications using our system of structural and logical checks as well as process variants.' said Alexander Nopper, Managing Director at mdq.

Susanne Maier, Project Manager on the DACHSER side, is also satisfied: 'Thanks to the extensive process and EDI knowledge on the part of Munich Data Quality, we were able to define tests that really help us. This made collaboration very pleasant.'

What success factors have we identified? First, the thorough preparation of all project participants. We received numerous example messages from DACHSER in the most diverse forms of the EDI interfaces. We did not have to painstakingly identify contacts; they were available to us from the very beginning. Here, the second success factor also became apparent: the experience of the project participants.

They not only knew the structure of the EDI messages inside and out, but also the underlying business processes and typical error patterns. This knowledge was particularly reflected in the development and formulation of the rules. We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our contacts at DACHSER; this is how data quality projects should always proceed from our perspective.