DON'T YOU JUST LOVE IT WHEN YOU'RE ONE STEP AHEAD? - EVEN BETTER, WHEN YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE RIGHT THERE WITH YOU! WE OFFER AN IT SOLUTION THAT ...
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DON’T YOU JUST LOVE IT WHEN YOU’RE ONE STEP AHEAD? … EVEN BETTER, WHEN YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE RIGHT THERE WITH YOU! WE OFFER AN IT SOLUTION THAT SUPPORTS, THAT’S ADAPTABLE, THAT STREAMLINES AND PROPELS YOU TOWARDS AN EXCITING TOMORROW.
CONTENTS
LOBSTER AT A GLANCE _______________________________________ 4
WHAT WE’RE ALL ABOUT _____________________________________ 5
CASE STUDIES ______________________________________________ 6
Eberspächer________________________________________ 6
Konica Minolta ______________________________________ 7
PUMA____________________________________________ 8
Logwin ___________________________________________ 9
DATA CONVERSION MADE EASY_______________________________ 10
2
WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT IF A SOLUTION
WAS SIMPLE FOR A CHANGE?
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE DATA INTEGRATION AND DATA MANAGEMENT OF TOMORROW.
Progress is everywhere. Technology is advancing in leaps and To help you with your decision, we’d like to introduce you to
bounds. Nowhere more so than in the world of IT. We humans a number of real-life examples from select customers.
need to, have to, come together. Work together. All systems go. This will give you a taste for the endless possibilities and
Hardware. Software. EDI. EAI. And at the centre of it all: incredible efficiency Lobster_data has to offer when it comes
Data and system integration. Digitalisation and business to data integration.
integration. And seamless product communication. It’s time to
Connect your company to all your partners, customers and
tackle the future. It’s time for a change …
service providers and make the right choice for tomorrow’s IT
As the IT decision maker for your company, you know that department, today! Cut costs and save time, and resources.
errors in data management can have an immediate impact on Let us show you a whole new world of possibilities.
business. As a result, company-wide accountability is key to
Best,
reliable data management.
Nothing drives digitalisation more than a straightforward
solution – and this is where we come in. Lobster_data is the
solution you have been waiting for to address your data
Dr. Martin Fischer
integration needs. It is fast. Flexible. Reliable. It gives you the
Managing Director
time to focus on your core business. Not only will your data
be in safe hands, Lobster_data will also show you how to
harness its full potential. The solution you’ve been waiting for
has finally arrived.
3
LOBSTER
AT A GLANCE.
COMPLEX CHALLENGES?
NOT A PROBLEM!
FOUNDED
2002
Privately held.
All shareholders work at Lobster.
CLIENTS TEAM
1,500 150
Across all industries. 200 new clients per year. Passionate. Dynamic. Unconvential.
High client retention rate: 99.5%. Great teamspirit.
PRODUCTS
Data and systems integration Digitalisation & operational Your product information The vertical cloud solution
at it’s best. process integration sorted. in safe hands. for logistics.
GERMANY | AUSTRIA | SWITZERLAND | UNITED KINGDOM | FRANCE | NORDICS | BENELUX
4
EAI/ETL – INTERNAL SYSTEMS EDI – EXTERNAL SYSTEMS
FORMATS
AS2
DB ERP Peppol Suppliers/Customers/ Portals
etc. JSON XML Partners
FTP(S)
SFTP/SSH CSV
OFTP Excel
SMTP E-lnvoicing/Peppol
CRM MES POP3/IMAP Government GS1
X.400 Fix Record/VDA
AS/400 DataQueue IDOC
Fax
SAP Edifact/Tradacoms
CLOUD – HYBRID INTEGRATION Salesforce X.12 IOT/INDUSTRY 4.0 & SENSORS
JDBC
LDAP BWA
AMQP/JMS PDF
Kafka
API CRM MQTT Sensors Machines
etc. OPC/UA
HTTP(S)
Cloud Storage
BI TMS COMMUNICATION Logistics
CHANNELS
At the heart of everything we do: Lobster_data, integration
technology for all areas. Data exchange both within a
company and between companies, and even between
different types of system.
WHAT WE’RE
ALL ABOUT
5
EFFICIENT
EFFICIENCY.
LOBSTER_DATA AT EBERSPÄCHER
The Eberspächer Group ranks amongst the world’s leading system
developers and suppliers for the automotive industry and is
known for its innovative solutions in exhaust technology, vehicle
electronics and climate control for a wide variety of vehicle types.
At the end of 2017, Eberspächer made the decision to go with
Lobster_data as its central EDI and EAI tool. When it comes to
conventional EDI processes, Lobster_data takes care of commu-
nication with customers and suppliers and is responsible for the
conversion of ERP data formats to and from industry standards
such as VDA, EDIFACT and ANSI X12. Now that all partners and
mappings have moved over from the previous EDI system,
Lobster_data processes and transfers approx. 200,000 messages
every month.
In EAI, Lobster_data transmits relevant ERP data to internal
Clients and applications such as a learning management system and the
Suppliers
CRM system.
via SFTP
via via OFTP2 Ready-made function blocks and a multitude of industry
E-M
ail standards, already available within the software, allow highly
VD complex business processes to be developed quickly and
A,
ta l E
CS DIF without any specialist programming knowledge, whilst
Por V, AC
via Ex T,
approx. 200,000 ce AN Lobster_data’s intuitive interface and sophisticated support
l, X SI
messages each month: ML X1 mode help keep things efficient.
2
assignments, delivery schedules,
ASNs, bills
Relevant data Messaging
Internal Applications _data ERP
6THIS SYSTEM DOESN’T
MAKE MISTAKES.
LOBSTER_DATA AT KONICA MINOLTA
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe
supplies services throughout Europe,
linking together internal and external
systems and automating processes.
The business uses Lobster_data as a
central platform to supply data to various
parties including logistics providers, Clients, Partner
national subsidiaries and subsystems
such as CRMs, eShops and service portals.
In doing so, the software interacts
with a whole spectrum of technologies.
2
Lobster_data processes approx.
AS
ERP Domain
8–10 million transactions every month. SAP Navision P
DB SFT
FTP
Examples of the 800+ active Lobster IDoc
/ RF
profiles include the distribution of master C
E-Mail
data via enterprise service bus messag-
ing, mass data uploads to databases,
web services for status queries and We
ery
_data bs
erv
conventional transfer of EDI messages u ice
D BQ s
using various protocols. Messaging
AMQP
Message Message
Master Data Enterprise Portals,
Management Service Bus CRM, E-Shop
(MDM)
7PRODUCT INFORMATION
AT THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON.
LOBSTER_DATA AT PUMA
In 2010, sportswear manufacturer PUMA set up a B2B platform
to simplify online ordering for its retail partners in central
Europe. PUMA chose Lobster_data to act as the interface be-
tween its online platform and its ERP system.
Since then, Lobster_data has handled availability requests for
approximately 100,000 items every season. Using the item’s
product code (EAN), the software locates the necessary
information within the ERP system and then makes it available
to retail partners in real time.
Lobster_data also handles delivery status checks and regu-
larly mirrors all master data from the ERP system to the B2B
system.
PUMA Retailer
In Lobster_data, PUMA has found a software tool which
can synchronise different systems with little programming
effort and show the availability of its stock inventory
in real time.
Availability check
B2B-platform _data iSeries
Master data transfer
B2B database
8CONNECT EVERYTHING TO
YOUR OWN IT SYSTEM.
LOBSTER_DATA AT LOGWIN
Clients,
Partners,
Service
Providers >100,000 converted
documents/day _data information In-house
>1,100 System
conversion rules
Lobster_data acts as the central data communication hub for
international logistics company Logwin. All data shared be-
tween Logwin and its customers, partners and service providers
is converted into readable data formats using Lobster_data.
This connection to in-house systems requires 1,100 data rule
sets – some 3,000 sets fewer than needed by a competitor’s
previous solution. Additional programming is also now a thing
of the past, as Lobster_data has all necessary conversions
covered.
9DATA CONVERSION
MADE EASY.
LOBSTER_DATA CAN DO SO MUCH MORE:
DOCUMENTATION
Lobster_data automatically documents the creation of each
interface or profile. This documentation can then be expanded
by adding specific comments. Even without this automatic
documentation feature, it would still be very easy to “get to
grips” with interfaces which are set up using standard functions
USER FRIENDLINESS (filters). The system is similar to MS Excel, another application
A survey showed that 90% of Lobster_data customers rate its which makes it very easy to see which functions are stored
installation and usability as “very easy”. This is because within a spreadsheet.
Lobster_data needs no prior knowledge of programming,
Of course, it is also possible to use specialised, company
thanks to its clearly structured GUI.
specific, functions within Lobster_data. These are described
A wizard (similar to Microsoft’s assistant tool) guides you accordingly using the automatic documentation extension.
through the easily understandable, completely intuitive appli-
cation. Data is manipulated using a filter system – comparable
to that used within MS Excel. Instead of using programming,
functions are based on respective fields or nodes. In this way,
Lobster_data can easily incorporate company specific functions,
which are compatible with future releases.
10Lobster_data also makes it possible to test mappings
step-by-step during the development phase, and allows users
to preview the contents of variables and mapping results.
MAPPING Users can also load test data into the source structure
Unlike other systems, Lobster_data helps you to save time – (this often makes it easier to identify source fields) and
particularly when it comes to mapping. This is achieved, visualise the actual flow of data from source to target.
for example, by relying on pre-defined filters, automatically
Should different mapping versions be necessary for different
importing tree structures, enabling direct access to databases,
EDI partners, you can simply copy an existing processing
using backup and third-party systems (ERP, CRM, storage
profile, including mapping. If necessary, partner information
solutions, etc.) and so much more.
(input/output) can be changed in the new profiles and the
The relationship between data source and data target is created relevant mapping parameters revised – again saving so much
using a drag and drop feature, where a user “drags” values time.
from source data into the desired data target structure.
Unlike other software solutions, Lobster_data maps data
To write data directly into a database or to read data from a based on the target, not the source structure. This does away
database for conversion purposes, Lobster_data integrates with the arduous creation of countless variables, as source
fields from any kind of database (e.g. MS SQL Server, Sybase, data is accessed directly from the target field.
Oracle, Informix, MAX DB, DB2, Postgres, etc.) directly into the
target or source structure. Lobster_data thus directly imports
the corresponding table structures from databases and
depicts these as “tree structures” in Lobster_data, along with
all relevant attributes.
All data structures within the Mapping Designer (standard
structures like EDIFACT, VDA, Fortras and SAP iDoc as well as
custom structures in XML, MS Excel, CSV, etc.) can be modified
as you see fit, for example by changing the structure, field
definition, etc.
During mapping (and even once mapping is completed),
Lobster_data enables users to split, convert and export large
volumes of data based on user-defined criteria, making for
an elegant and straightforward process.
11MESSAGE STRUCTURES
Lobster_data provides for automatic pre-processing of
complex message structures. Messages can be grouped, for
example, based on their header and item records, and source
data can be read starting from a specific line or column.
PLATFORM NEUTRALITY
MULTI-FUNCTIONALITY As an open platform-independent system, Lobster_data’s
As a central data communication hub, Lobster_data offers graphical frontend runs under Windows, Mac OSX and Linux
a one-stop solution for all your needs: operating systems.
Connections, remote data transfers and data communication Lobster_data offers server-side support for all common plat-
between ERP and CMS systems, databases, web platforms, forms based on Java 5 and above (AIX and IBM in addition to
customers and suppliers. Windows and Linux, etc.). It can also be installed within virtual
server environments and connected to common databases
We believe Lobster_data is not simply a conventional converter,
( JDBC).
but rather the “middleware” between IT systems (ERP, PPS,
PIM, FiBu, CRM, WebShop, etc.) and parties such as customers, PERFORMANCE
suppliers, government authorities, banks, etc. Ultimately, Lobster_data is highly performant, even when multiple
the software doesn’t care what type of data it exchanges processing operations are running in tandem or when the
and which systems it is connected with. software is processing extremely large volumes of data.
12MORE FROM THE WORLD OF LOBSTER
Lobster_data:
JUST DO
SCHEDULES (CRONS) WHAT YOU WANT.
INSPIRING GREATER
Just do what you want.
ENTREPRENEURIAL FREEDOM
THROUGH DATA INTEGRATION
Lobster_data offers a high level of flexibility when
WITH LOBSTER_DATA.
configuring jobs with crontab syntax (e.g. “Every last day
of the month”, “Every Friday”, etc.).
SERVICE IT’S JUST A QUESTION
OF THE RIGHT TECH.
Lobster’s customers don’t just think of us as an outstanding DIGITALISE AND AUTOMATE
BUSINESS PROCESSES
THE EASY WAY.
data conversion and data integration software supplier.
WITH LOBSTER_PRO.
They also praise our highly personalised approach to support:
Fast. Reliable. Technology at the highest level. Lobster_data Lobster_pro:
also comes with an extensive online support function as well It’s just a question
as a “TeamViewer” feature. of the right tech.
STANDARD SETTINGS
Lobster_data’s standard package includes approx. 13,000
templates for interfaces to ERP systems as well as all
essential industry standards (EDIFACT, SAP IDOC, VDA, Fortras,
ANSI X.12, etc.).
Lobster_data also supports all common data exchange
HIT THE BULL’S EYE.
Lobster_pim:
protocols such as (S)FTP(S), OFTP2, SMTP, HTTP(S), SMS, EVERY TIME.
FROM ANYWHERE.
A GUIDE FOR MANAGING
Hit the bull’s eye.
SAP-ALE, IBM DataQueue, AS2, X.400, WebDAV, SCP, SSH,
SIMULTANEOUS DATA STREAMS
WITH LOBSTER_PIM’S
INTEGRATED DATA MANAGEMENT.
Every time.
Fax, Web Services (SOAP), OPC UA, etc.
From anywhere.
VERSION MANAGEMENT
Lobster_data’s approach to version numbers for mapping
has significant advantages, as it means that mapping
changes won’t necessarily affect all your EDI partners.
Different process versions are also available as backups,
so activating previous versions of a mapping or process
is quick and easy.
13© Lobster DATA GmbH 2020_12
Lobster DATA GmbH
Hindenburgstraße 15
D-82343 Pöcking
T: +49 8157 590 99 0
F: +49 8157 590 99 99
hello@lobster-world.com
lobster-world.com
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