Technology Integration

While GHX develops some Web-based applications that don't require integration, many of our solutions depend upon integrating with your existing MMIS or ERP system. Our integration teams work with your IT staff to ensure that our technology fits seamlessly with yours.

GHX has integration teams that specialize in each customer type. For example, providers connecting to the Exchange work closely with the Provider Integration team. In this case, you'll work with your GHX account executive and a Provider Integration team member to go through a technical discovery process so that we can confirm the solution that works best with your technology. We'll ask questions about your materials management system type and version, the version of EDI you're using, or whether you are working with flat files. We have experts in every major ERP system. After we determine the solution, GHX will schedule the shipment of a Connect Plus™ (pdf) server to your site, if appropriate. At this point, you'll add the server to your network so that we can connect to it, remotely. We'll then go through extensive testing prior to “going live” with GHX.

Suppliers connecting to the Exchange most often connect using their AS2 software. The integration process begins with a transition kick-off call, attended by your EDI and communications experts and our Supplier Integration team. Over the next few weeks, your GHX integration manager will gather information, review specifications with you, help you to analyze gaps on maps and develop a project plan. Steps within the integration process include mapping, the loading of your product content to the GHX AllSource® catalog, registration, and testing in an integration environment. We'll work with you to develop test case scenarios and to establish a pilot customer. After successful transactions with your pilot customer, you'll be moved to production.

In the case of adopting a hand-held device for your sales team, your supplier IT staff works with GHX Mobile Solutions to integrate the device and GHX software with your ERP system. However, some suppliers opt to have GHX host the supplier data, and integration is not necessary. Instead, the supplier performs a nightly flat file transfer using an FTP site. In either case, you have access to up-to-date data gathered through your hand-held device.

After your technology is integrated with ours, you're ready to "go live" with GHX.