Eastman ditches EDI for ecommerce

NEWS Eastman Chemical Company has replaced its EDI and fax automation system with an ecommerce product from Commerce One. The manufacturing company will use Commerce One's Commerce Chain solution to automate the procurement processes of indirect goods. Eastman anticipates significant cost savings of between 25 and 35 per cent by using the system to negotiate better prices with its supplier base. According to the company, the EDI network could not handle the full automation and centrally-controlled purchasing it requires. Commerce One has partnerships with Microsoft and SAP - a factor in Eastman's decision as it already has relationships with both vendors.