Camping World Automates Its Supply Chain

RV and camping super center to use hosted EDI services to streamline operations with suppliers

RV and camping super center to use hosted EDI services to streamline operations with suppliers

Minneapolis — February 18, 2005 — Camping World, the world's largest retailer of RV accessories, supplies and services, said it will modernize its supply chain using SPS Commerce's Community Enablement and hosted electronic data interchange (EDI) services.

To automate the order management process by Camping Worlds' spring ordering season, SPS' Community Enablement campaign will target to enable Camping World's 150 vendors by April. The enablement program includes the opportunity for Camping World suppliers to utilize SPS Commerce's EDI Testing Service or one of its hosted transaction services to meet Camping World's electronic order management requirements, including purchase orders, invoices, advance ship notices (ASNs) and bar code labels.

"In the past year Camping World had outgrown its paper-based ordering system and needed the efficiencies that came with EDI," said Chad Selvidge, senior vice president of marketing and merchandising at Camping World. "We selected SPS Commerce to perform all of our EDI operations and execute a campaign to electronically enable or certify more than 150 suppliers. As a hosted service, SPS Commerce can execute both initiatives, while allowing us to remain focused on our business. And, with 13 percent of our suppliers already connected to other retailers via SPSCommerce.net, we already have a great start."

Camping World has 41 retail locations and two collision repair centers. The nationwide retailer offers 8,000 products geared toward the RVing community through its retail stores, extensive mail-order catalog and online shopping network. Camping World repair and service centers staff trained professionals adept at installing or repairing any product purchased at Camping World stores such as accessories, appliances and other equipment for RVs or towed vehicles.

By automating its order management system, Camping World will receive electronic order and shipment confirmations to ensure order accuracy, on-time delivery and confirmed pricing. Their EDI transactions will also provide the company with an audit trail of detailed information to better manage and avoid errant orders with suppliers.

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