Dot developed the redistribution concept in the food supply chain, and has worked hard to become the industry leader.

Since 1960, we have been harnessing new technologies to provide better service to make food manufacturers and our distributor customers more profitable.

We grew to #1 by innovating, particularly in information technology. Our e-commerce web-site, the Dot Expressway, was one of the first in the industry to allow customers to search for item information and pricing. We also lead the industry in electronic communications, using industry exchanges and electronic data interchange (EDI) to reduce transaction costs.

Our experience has shown that communicating electronically can lower costs and improve service.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the fastest and most efficient way for distributors to send or receive business documents.

• Improved accuracy - eliminates manual keying errors when placing orders. Fewer errors mean higher fill rate.
• Better communication - shows your item numbers on most documents, reports and communications.
• Buyer efficiencies - lets your computer automatically match Dot confirmations to your PO so that your buyer only has to review the discrepancies.
• Current data - transmits automatic item and price updates on a nightly or weekly basis.
• Faster unloading - saves time to receive and put away your Dot load with an EDI Advance Ship Notice.
• Lower administration expenses - eliminates repetitive tasks like opening mail, separating invoices by due date, and performing basic checks and comparisons. EDI invoices also guarantee that Dot's invoice will be in your system the same day it is billed -- giving you more time to make payments and receive cash discounts.
• Increases sales - EDI makes it easier for you to participate in our Virtual Warehouse program. You can set up all 25,000 Dot stock items in your system via EDI, and offer them to your customers without having to slot the items in your warehouse.

Click here for a printable version of Dot's"Distributor Guide to Electronic Communication" brochure. It will give you all the information you need to get started using EDI and placing electronic orders with Dot.

 

  EDI Specifications for Distributors

Here's information on EDI transaction sets for distributors. Click on the transaction set to view specifications.

850 Purchase Order	875 Purchase Order	855 PO Acknowledgement	810 Invoice
880 Invoice	856: Advance Ship Notice	879: Price Information	888: Item Maintenance

 

DUNS Numbers

Interchange Info: COMM ID's/VAN info

 

  Flat Files

Dot now has the ability to accept flat files (.csv, fixed length, xml) into our system in the same manner as EDI. This allows our distributors to automate the purchasing process without any investment in EDI software or partnering with an Exchange.

Click here for a powerpoint presentation on the steps to this new option.

For more information, please contact Sean Ketcham at 800.366.3687 ext 12428.

  Exchanges

Exchanges are another alternative to purchasing EDI software. There are two industry exchanges: ITN and Amphire. Either of these two companies can convert a distributor's flat files into EDI data, so the distributor can receive the benefits of EDI without actually having to be EDI-capable.