OLYMPUS TECHNOZONE Vol.51 2001-09
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INDEX
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Start-up
of GPO and G-SCDB Brings Truly Global Information Interchange
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Information
concerning the entire supply chain, inventories, sales, and
orders iscollected from key locations around the world.
(Click on image to expand it) |
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----What is the operational status of the GPO, which fulfils
the key data-exchange role, and the G-SCDB, which is responsible
for data collection and provision functions?
The GPO fulfils the role of a global post office.
The GPO can execute the entire data exchange activity of the Olympus
Group on a global basis.
Unlike the situation to date, information sharing is no longer confined to specific
partners, such as between Europe and Japan, or the United States and Japan. In
actual business today, there are cases where endoscopes manufactured in Europe
are sold in the United States by US sales companies, but we can now envision
a situation where order data is exchanged via the GPO and the G-SCDB. This is
one of the advantages of the system.
----What sorts of fundamental technologies had to
be acquired for these systems, and how?
Our biggest challenge was acquiring WEB-related
technology. This is because we had not been very much involved
in this area , although we develop information-sharing bases using
Internet technology.
----I hear the GPO system is in itself an application
of a product from Kawatetsu Information Systems Inc.
Yes, it's an EDI package from Kawatetsu Information
Systems, Inc. The common, standard forms of EDI (electronic data
interchange) come in various types, but Olympus uses EDIFACT (Electronic
Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport), which
is laid down by the United Nations. Kawatetsu provides packages
consisting of translators and other software necessary for data
interchange using EDIFACT. However, Olympus has added to it by
developing its proprietary systems to ensure easy data exchange
at various strategic points and ensure that security is adequate.
We have thus added our own specifications to allow safe data exchange while strictly
observing the rules.
----Why did you make EDIFACT your EDI standard?
There are other domestic EDI standards, but
in order to include all overseas transactions as well, we decided
that EDIFACT was ideal because it can be commonly used. |
