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Case Studies O&G Company Takes Advantage of Open Source Software for PIDX XML Invoice TransmissionStonebridge helped an O&G tubular distributor and logistics service provider create an open source-based solution for integrating invoice and field ticket submission. Our client was faced with the challenge of finding a cost-effective way to comply with new procurement and invoicing requirements of a major international customer. The buyer, in an effort to streamline procurement processes, reduce delays in supplier job-completion-to-cash cycle time, and manage the high cost of handling, matching, validating, and reconciling field and delivery tickets with their respective invoices, initiated an optional request that suppliers implement its eProcurement PIDX invoicing partner requirements. The required capability included secure transmission of PIDX XML invoices with attached images of field/delivery tickets to the buyer's procurement system. To meet this goal, the buyer offered suppliers three options: 1) using a supplier portal for manual input and submission of invoice information plus attachment of the image of the corresponding signed field/delivery ticket or signature page of the agreement, 2) using a supplier portal to manually attach the corresponding signed field/delivery ticket with a previously submitted EDI 810 invoice (converted to PIDX), or 3) delivering invoices with their associated signed field/delivery tickets in a combined payload using the PIDX RosettaNet (RNIF 2.0) messaging standard. Our client selected the third option and engaged Stonebridge to implement a low-cost, automated process for integrating invoice and field ticket submission. To create a solution, Stonebridge leveraged open source software to deliver a low-cost, scalable solution to meet the buyer's PIDX on-boarding requirements. The open source B2B server takes the individual PIDX XML invoice and scanned field/delivery ticket combined payload, and envelops, binds and encrypts it for secure digital certificate transmission. The software has a Web-based administration console through which invoices can be transmitted to multiple trading partners. Configuration includes setup of DUNS numbers and transmission protocols such as HTTPS, FTP, and SMTP for package delivery. The B2B server looks at the header information in the PIDX XML invoice to determine the trading partner and then accesses the configuration for that trading partner's required transmission protocol to route and transmit the payload. This module replaces EDI transactions and the need for VAN services and is accepted by commercial off- the-shelf software packages such as Ariba and CommerceOne. Stonebridge utilized the following technologies and platforms to enable PIDX XML invoice transmission:
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