The future of supply chains is here

• Data-level integration: This is the process of digitizing and automating document exchange between trading partners to allow for seamless information flow between systems, regardless of technology, compliance, or partner requirements.
• People-level integration: This improves B2B collaboration and communication between trading partners. This type of integration aims to accelerate supply chain operations and break down barriers to collaboration such as partner onboarding and community management.

OpenText is a recognized world leader in B2B integration. Over one million partners rely on our B2B integration platform to quickly and securely exchange business documents.

The most common examples of B2B integration include:

Electronic data interchange (EDI) – Automates the exchange of business documents such as purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, and payment confirmations between companies. This helps eliminate manual data entry, reduce errors, and speed up transactions. OpenText offers an easy, cost-effective electronic data interchange solution.

Application programming interfaces (APIs) – Enables real-time data exchange between different business systems, such as ERP (enterprise resource planning), CRM (customer relationship management), and supplier portals. API integration allows businesses to automate workflows, synchronize inventory, and enhance communication with partners. OpenText API-based B2B solutions include OpenText™ Trading Grid, OpenText™ B2B Integration Essentials, and OpenText™ B2B Integration Foundation.

Supply chain management integration – Connects manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and logistics providers for real-time tracking of inventory, shipments, and deliveries. This integration ensures better demand forecasting, optimized inventory management, and improved customer service. OpenText supply chain management solutions connect people, systems, and things across the extended business ecosystem.

These integrations help businesses streamline operations, improve efficiency, and foster stronger partnerships across industries.

Supply chain visibility (SCV) refers to the ability of businesses to track and monitor goods, inventory, and data as they move through the supply chain. The key benefits of SCV include improved efficiency, cost reduction, and risk mitigation.

By providing real-time tracking of goods and data, SCV helps businesses optimize inventory management, reduce waste, and prevent disruptions like delays or shortages. Enhanced transparency also strengthens collaboration among suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors, leading to better decision-making and streamlined operations.

Additionally, SCV improves customer satisfaction by ensuring timely deliveries and higher service reliability. With advanced analytics and tracking technologies, companies can proactively address issues, boost supply chain resilience, and maintain a competitive edge in the market.

OpenText has the largest business network in the world with over one million connected partners. We help connect people, processes, and things to provide insights into your supply chain when you need them.

Supply chain integration and supply chain collaboration are both important. Supply chain integration involves connecting all parts of the supply chain into a unified system, often through supply chain digitization. This creates a digital supply chain using advanced technologies, facilitating supply chain digital transformation. Integration helps optimize production, transportation, and inventory management for better supply chain orchestration.

On the other hand, supply chain collaboration focuses on different companies and partners working together to achieve common goals. This involves sharing information, resources, and planning jointly to improve overall efficiency. Collaboration can happen through meetings, shared databases, or digital platforms.

Integration is about creating a seamless system within a single company, while collaboration is about different companies working together effectively. Both are crucial for a successful and efficient supply chain.

OpenText solutions allow organizations to integrate their supply chains, no matter what format trading partners use for their communication.

OpenText B2B integration enhances supply chain visibility by enabling seamless, real-time data exchange among trading partners, which allows organizations to monitor orders, shipments, and inventory levels effectively.

By automating the exchange of information such as purchase orders and invoices, companies can reduce manual errors and gain timely insights into their supply chain operations. This increased transparency facilitates proactive decision-making, helping businesses anticipate and mitigate potential disruptions before they impact operations.

Additionally, OpenText solutions support comprehensive monitoring of business processes, enabling quick responses to errors and exceptions, thereby improving overall supply chain performance.