|
Summary
GXS Trusted is an EDI integration provider which aims to be the communication hub between vendors and suppliers through a number of EDI based tools and communication means. Along with offerings from companies like Softshare, Sterling Commerce and EMANIO, GXS is one of the leading providers of EDI solutions and while GXS is rich in capabilities and features, the price and limitations inherent to the approach used by GXS make it a viable option only for companies that can afford an expensive solution that comes with a lot features but that requires a fair amount of maintenance.
Strengths
The GXS approach is relatively different from other EDI vendors in that GXS aims to be a communication “hub.” as such their approach is to route smaller users to their web based systems and larger users to solutions that manage more aspects of business to business integration than just EDI. From this perspective the GXS system is well done, well thought out, feature rich and well ... expensive! The cost of sending all your transactions through such a hub ultimately can be borne out on the bottom line in the form of per transaction charges and other associated usage “fees” that can escalate at rather steep paces.
Limitations
The GXS products provide a great platform with a lot of key strengths – if you have a lot of money to spend. For smaller organizations, however, the proposition can be quite expensive and confusing to work with. The GXS approach is going to involve multiple technologies and multiple “modules” each with its own associated set of charges and fees that in and of themselves may not seem exorbitant, but once added up will quickly become prohibitive for all but the most cash rich organizations. In truth GXS, Inovis and Sterling all vie for the same slice of the EDI pie - the large retailers and the vast amounts of cash they must all spend on EDI on an annual basis; but for the smaller manufacturer or retailer that is more cost conscious these platforms are simply too expensive.
Wish List
A more reasonable price.
Product Ratings
The product ratings below reflect our evaluation of GXS with a rating score that ranges from 1 to 5, with 1 equaling “fail” and 5 being an “Excellent”. Our overall score for GXS is of 3.5 out of a total possible of 5.
| Product Area |
|
|
| Setup & Installation |
The GXS platforms are relatively easy to work with and the company provides top level support on par with people like EMANIO, Inovis, Sterling and Softshare. |
4 |
| Interface |
An easy to use interface makes working with the products relatively straight forward. |
3 |
| Features |
While rich in features, getting to them can be challenging and often frustrating |
3 |
| Ease of use |
Ease of use is a key strength area for GXS as is the support of the organization, if you are willing to pay, however. |
2 |
| Automation Capabilities |
While automation is a strong-suit of the product it achieves it through a convoluted process and time consuming effort |
3 |
| Integration capabilities |
Integration is well done and available for a broad range of products - but once again - at a price. |
2 |
| Performance |
Performance is the products strong-suite, it beat all the other products handily save for the EMANIO product that came in second |
4 |
| |
Overall Score |
3.5 |
|
Our Team
About Team 
The strength of EDI Software Review is the individuals that make up the team. In fact, we believe that our team consists of a group of uniquely talented individuals. Each of the team members is an experienced consultant that is operationally savvy, demonstrating a deep levelof experience. Each member of the team has an intense commitment to board service and to working closely with the management teams of software companies to provide an unbias independant review. |
