ENERDOX is a document delivery exchange (DDE) for handling procurement documentation within the European Energy sector. It moves documentation electronically and securely between buyers and suppliers. Documents likely to be exchanged include Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Purchase Orders, Quotes and Invoices although this may vary from company to company. ENERDOX utilises technology from EOS Technologies Inc. who run the world’s largest oil and gas e-commerce document exchange connecting over 2,500 oil and gas organisations together through their document delivery exchange.
The EOS network of digital exchanges has offices in various different locations around the world and ENERDOX has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of the European energy market using the EOS technology. ENERDOX is structured to be attractive to large and small companies alike, sits outside company firewalls and does not conflict with corporate IT strategies.
There are several reasons why the major hub companies have decided to join the ENERDOX exchange and these are detailed below.
The main reason is that sending procurement documentation electronically saves both the supplier and the hubs, time and money. The way that the ENERDOX exchange is designed ensures that there are benefits for both parts of the supply chain to joining the exchange and using it to send procurement documentation electronically.
The money and time-savings are apparent because ENERDOX provides immediate electronic exchange of RFQ’s,
The process of exchanging all procurement documentation electronically should also increase responsiveness. It ensures that the procurement document is sent to the correct person, notifies that person that there is a document waiting and includes feedback to the buyer that it has been received and opened. How many times in the past has there been occasions when a supplier has not received an RFQ or it’s arrived late on a Friday afternoon when the fax machine is not being checked (and the goods are required on the Monday morning!!). In this instance both parties suffer but with implementing ENERDOX this will be reduced to a minimum.
Hub clients also see a need to facilitate suppliers responses back to them, particularly if either party does not have an ERP or similar system. ENERDOX assists in this by offering the vendors a standard web interface including a standard set of forms (Quotation, Invoice, Will Bid, O Accepted etc) in which to enter only the minimum of data needed to meet the clients’ requirements. This avoids rekeying of data thus reducing response time and keying-in mistakes.
Integrity in business is highly valued and needs the trust from both parties. ENERDOX is engaged by our clients as it offers traceability as to who is purchasing what as well as ensuring that approved suppliers are requested to tender. Other features include for ‘apples-with-apples’ cost comparisons all of which are permanently recorded and archived as part of the auditability process. From the client side it affords the traceability that the response is coming from a registered employee and that the documents are valid.
ENERDOX is different from other exchanges in that there is no annual membership fee and the cost for suppliers to send documents is minimal depending on their usage.
Further details can be found at http://www.enerdox.co.uk/default2.htm or contact our Business Process Consultant dave.inglis@enerdox.co.uk for further details.
