There are several reasons to use Fapco for your parts fulfillment needs, including saving money on labor, shipping, distribution, and warehousing costs. However, Fapco’s dedication to make your business run more smoothly doesn’t end there. Their IT systems are set up to work seamlessly with your existing shipping, receiving, and accounting infrastructure. This means that invoicing and other data functions can happen just as if the parts were shipped directly from you or from your parts supplier. Fapco’s partners recognize the short-term and long-term benefits of trusting the company to provide ongoing expert small parts fulfillment solutions with their IT systems for an example.
Exchanging Data Safely and Securely
“The exchange of data has become second nature to us,” said Director of IT for Fapco, Dennis Cooper. “We’ve been doing EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) with major automakers, for example, since 2000.” Many companies who don’t do business with large clients such as the Big Three Automakers can’t match Fapco’s capabilities in EDI. You can’t do business with ‘big guns’ like these without having EDI capabilities. And for clients who don’t have EDI capabilities, we have other ways of integrating with their systems.”
“We can do anything the client needs us to do when it comes to IT,” Cooper continued. “We can do what the large companies want or what the smaller companies need. That’s the big difference between Fapco and other strategic parts integration firms. Many are very rigid and can only do data exchange one way. Not here at Fapco. We specialize in customizing solutions for our customers.”
Connectivity and security are a non-issue when doing business with Fapco. With redundant high-speed Internet access, Fapco has stable and ample bandwidth for doing day-to-day business with multiple clients. Fapco was one of the first 200 companies in North America to have access to the ANX (Automotive Network Exchange) network. This specialized Extra-Net provides secure data exchange in the auto and medical industry — a private worldwide Internet highway providing access only to its members.
Customizable IT Solutions
After meeting directly with a new customer’s IT department, Fapco’s IT team sets up a test environment to start the data exchange process. “Both IT departments sit down and determine how we are going to work together and who the key players are,” Cooper said. “The exchange of data between two companies is always on a unique, case-by-case basis. We can adjust to meet the needs of any customer.”
“Common data we exchange is planning and forecasts, scheduling with releases, ship schedules, inventory, advance ship notices, and invoicing. There are many more types of data we can exchange depending on the customer’s needs and plans for the future that will allow us to even better serve our clients. We are currently working on a web portal due for completion next year that will give clients the ability to place an order and track the scheduled order and see how it was delivered online. We’re also working on updates to the QAD system that will go online early next year. All of these upgrades will make doing business with our customers easier, regardless of whether they are a big or small company.”
Whether its part kitting, cold seal or carton packaging, Fapco Inc. will work to help your business grow. Get started with Fapco Inc. today!