Supplier Portal Transformation for a Global Electronics Manufacturer

The Overview

Services: Oracle APEX Development 

Solutions: Legacy Modernization, EBS Extension , Spreadsheet Replacement, Portal 

Industry: Manufacturing

A global electronic components manufacturer faced a daunting challenge: an inefficient and error-prone process for managing product information from over 150 suppliers. The existing system, reliant on email exchanges and Excel spreadsheets, lacked efficiency and accuracy, leading to prolonged validation periods that could stretch between 2 weeks and 6 months.

Talan (formerly Insum) stepped in to overhaul the system, implementing an Oracle APEX-based solution. The new Supplier Portal enabled suppliers to securely log in and maintain item information without using Excel spreadsheets. This streamlined communication and ensured changes were conveyed accurately and quickly.

The Challenge

The manufacturer was initially dependent on emails exchanged with suppliers, containing Excel spreadsheets of items, for item maintenance. While they had moved to a document portal solution similar to SharePoint or Dropbox, it still presented challenges. More than 150 suppliers were registered in this system, and the validation of item information was a slow, manual process. It could take anywhere between 2 weeks and 6 months to validate, approve, and complete item master changes or updates.

Challenges included:

• No validations
• Non-existent auditing
• No workflows
• Lack of autonomy
• Lengthy approval process

The Solution

Talan implemented an Oracle APEX-based solution that encompassed the following key functionalities:

• Supplier Portal: A secure portal allowed suppliers to log in and maintain item information without relying on Excel. This enabled faster and more accurate communication of changes.
• Improved Process Flow: The system streamlined the validation process for supplier proposals, significantly reducing the time to implement item changes in the ERP system (Oracle E-Business Suite).
• Track Changes: A centralized view of all supplier-submitted changes improved auditability and expedited ERP updates.
• Reporting: Dashboards and reports offered full visibility into supplier activity and item updates.

The Technology Used

The solution included Oracle’s fully managed Autonomous Database (Autonomous Transaction Processing) and Oracle Application Express (APEX), Oracle’s low-code development platform.

The Autonomous Database ensured data security and minimized maintenance thanks to its self-driving, self-securing, and self-repairing capabilities, making it an optimal solution for the client’s sensitive data and evolving operational needs.

The Results

The new system delivered substantial improvements across the supplier information process:

• Substantial Time Savings
• Significant Reduction in Data Entry Errors
• Improved Supplier Satisfaction
• Stronger Auditing Capabilities

In addition, approved data now flows directly into the ERP system, increasing operational efficiency and overall productivity for the manufacturer.

“Our distributors are so much happier with the new system. The Excel files were so tedious, and it took too long for new product and pricing information to be reflected in the ERP. This has transformed our efficiency and has fundamentally changed how we deliver value to our clients.”
— Product Catalog Manager

Elevate Your Business Processes From Excel to Oracle APEX

Are you still relying on cumbersome Excel spreadsheets for critical business operations? With Talan’s Oracle APEX solutions, you can transition to a world of efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.

We specialize in transforming outdated, spreadsheet-reliant processes into streamlined, secure, and sophisticated Oracle APEX applications. Whether it’s supplier management, inventory tracking, or any other process central to your operations, our solutions are designed to significantly increase productivity and data integrity.

Why Make the Switch?

• Efficiency: Automate workflows and eliminate manual entry and email bottlenecks.
• Accuracy: Ensure up-to-date and error-free data across your systems.
• Scalability: Easily grow and adapt your solution as your business evolves.
• Security: Protect sensitive information with built-in Oracle security and compliance features.

Don’t let outdated processes hold you back. Talan is here to help you move beyond spreadsheets with scalable, secure, and user-friendly solutions powered by Oracle APEX.