EXTOL International: Maximizing the Value of EDI and End-to-End Integration

Looking back on the history of EXTOL International, it is remarkable that what started out in a small office on the premises of a converted rectory today stands as the largest technology firm in Pottsville, PA. In 1989, when co-founders Anthony and Joseph Baran named their company ‘EXTOL’ their vision was to build software products that would draw accolades for innovation and high performance. A provider of end-to-end data transformation and integration software and services, EXTOL allows enterprises to automate the exchange of data transactions with customers and suppliers. Its products accomplish this by integrating trading partner transactions and processes with internal and cloud-based applications and data. Primarily focusing on Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), a central part of EXTOL’s value proposition is to help logistics companies and other businesses implement secure, reliable communication, integration and tracking of Business-to-Business (B2B) data.

Although traditional EDI is still the main “glue” that connects businesses electronically, with rapid technological advancements and new business practices, contemporary businesses need more advanced EDI capabilities. “The movement of electronic data over the internet has transformed EDI enabling technologies and best practices. In addition, service-oriented interfaces have broadened end-to-end integration options,” reflects James O’Leary, VP of Product Strategy, EXTOL International. To stay in tandem with such technology-driven changes, EXTOL constantly invests in upgrading their EDI offering. This includes adoption of event-driven processing, web services and other new integration methods in support of electronic commerce, omni-channel retail, multi-modal transport, and other contemporary business models.

According to O’Leary, logistics providers are important drivers of new business models and technological change. As supply chains distend with complexity, logistics companies respond creatively with new value chain integration capabilities and methods. Behind the scenes, the software and service capabilities that EXTOL offers help transportation, distribution, and logistics businesses to speed time to value. EXTOL’s expert integration consultants are important to that outcome, helping clients formulate and execute client-specific integration strategies. “We also bring to bear a substantial library of pre-built integration deliverables that incorporate best practices for business-to-business integration,” explains O’Leary.

Streamlining the EDI Process

EXTOL’s original product, EXTOL EDI Integrator (EEI), is a software application for integrating external partner transactions with internal applications and data on the IBM i platform. It is the only native EDI software offering in the IBM i market that continues to be enhanced and fully supported.

EXTOL’s flagship product for Windows and Linux, EXTOL Business Integrator (EBI), integrates not just EDI transactions but also XML, flat file, spreadsheet, and database content. “The ability to integrate non-standard transaction data is important for many of our transportation and logistics customers, who must satisfy trading partner-specific document and connection requirements,” explains O’Leary. EBI can also integrate applications and data within a business, and replace slow, error-prone manual processes by automating processing steps, end-to-end. “With EBI, one can create powerful business processes by visually configuring and linking a few integration objects, without programming,” O’Leary said.

One EXTOL customer, Datatrac, a logistics broker based in Atlanta, used to connect customers to their logistics network using custom-programmed interfaces.