The SK-Connect Concept

To achieve the optimization objectives, Smurfit Kappa Group created in 2001 a central eBusiness platform "SK-Connect", to enable the exchange of electronic messages from any participating supplying site to any participating customer.

This now proven concept offers Smurfit Kappa Group customers a wide range of advantages: processing orders from placement right through to payment (OrderToCash) becomes more flexible and transparent; automatic exchange of data increases the speed of information availability and reduced the number of errors. Corrective and administrative work will be reduced. SK-Connect gives customers the freedom to choose the level of eBusiness partnership they want to enter into - one that best matches their own wishes and IT resources.

System Integration/VMI:

Precise control of delivered quantities and lead times reduces warehousing costs and releases capital for value-added tasks. Exchanging data from system to system without manual intervention helps to improve such control.

Smurfit Kappa Group supports business processes by electronic messages, directly exchanged between the business partners, using SK-Connect eBusiness platform as a hub. The processes include both the traditional order management as well as the more advanced vendor managed inventory (VMI) concept. When operating VMI, the automatic customer forecasts, stocks and consumption data enable Smurfit Kappa Group to optimize the stock levels, delivery of goods and production at best.

For direct communication between packaging suppliers and their customers the GUSI standard of GCI is preferred. This standard for processes and XML-messages was developed by the Consumer Goods Industry with their suppliers. It is acknowledged by GS1. Smurfit Kappa Group has been one of the active participants to create this standard. More information can be found on www.gci-net.org.