Portal - Web Order Invoice (WOI)

Telstra is using the Web Ordering Invoice (WOI) Portal which is an Internet-based gateway, basically a secure Internet website only accessible via the use of a Username and Password.
The WOI Portal is an eCommerce medium that is restricted exclusively to you and Telstra, and that allows you to conduct business transactions electronically with us.

Each time that a business document, such as a Purchase Order or Remittance Advice arrives in WOI from Telstra, you will receive an email and/or SMS advising you to log into WOI from which you may access the details of the document.

Is WOI the best eCommerce tool for You?

To capitalise on the benefits that eCommerce can provide you when doing business with Telstra, WOI is perhaps the most appropriate eCommerce tool to consider if:

• you are a small to medium-sized company
• you conduct relatively low volumes of transactions with Telstra
• you are already conducting business with Telstra through the use of EDI (Electronic Data Interface) technology via 'Tradelink' (or similar) to print out Purchase Orders and Remittance Advices.

What are the benefits of the Telstra B2B Portal to You?

• Aside from the basic cost of connecting to the Internet, the use of the WOI is absolutely FREE.
• No additional software is required to be installed or downloaded.
• You will be advised immediately via email or SMS messages whenever documents arrive from Telstra into WOI allowing you to respond speedily.
• If you are currently conducting business with Telstra through the use of EDI technology, then using WOI instead will save you the cost of EDI Mailbox transaction fees.
• If you are currently receiving Purchase Orders from Telstra via fax, then WOI will not only greatly reduce your fax-related costs but will also greatly reduce the risk of Purchase Orders going astray and orders being lost as a result.
• You have the ability to view and print Purchase Orders and Remittance Advices at your convenience.
• If you are currently sending invoices to Telstra by mail, WOI will not only greatly reduce your postage costs but will also greatly reduce the risk of Invoices going astray and payments being delayed.
• You have the ability to archive documents received or sent through the Telstra B2B Portal, and to retrieve these documents at your convenience.

Middleware is specialised software that you may already be using to conduct eCommerce with your Customers.

It is a layer of software that lies between your back-end IT systems and the IT systems of your Customers.

A high level of security is provided when using Middleware to send and receive electronic transaction information, through the use of such mechanisms as https secure channels, standard xml protocols and digital certificates.

This enables you to conduct eCommerce securely and effectively with a wide range of Customers, including Telstra.

When conducting eCommerce with Telstra, electronic transaction information is sent from your Middleware to Telstra's own Middleware (known as BusinessTone).

Is Middleware the best eCommerce tool for You?

To capitalise on the benefits that eCommerce can provide you when doing business with Telstra, Middleware is perhaps the most appropriate eCommerce tool to consider if:

• you are a medium to large company
• you conduct medium to high volumes of transactions with Telstra
• you have a need to trade electronically with other customers besides Telstra.

What are the benefits of Middleware to You?

• Allows you to maintain control of your IT direction, technologies and strategies.
• Allows you to retain transaction processing 'in-house'.
• Provides consistency and smooth integration to your own 'back-end' IT systems.
• Makes the task of designing, programming and managing your software applications easier.
• Provides you with the flexibility of conducting eCommerce via the Internet as well as via other electronic mediums such as EDI (via an eBureau)
• The initial cost outlay may be substantial, however this is offset by your ability to conduct eCommerce securely and effectively on a long-term basis with a wide range and number of customers.
• Lower transactional processing cost
• Faster processing or orders (feeds directly into your backend applications)

Things to consider when implementing Middleware

• what requirements/connections/standards are necessary for trading via eCommerce with your customers
• your company's level of IT expertise
• your software provider's experience with your Business/IT requirements
• your Middleware development and implementation costs (may vary depending on the complexity or number of customers).

The role of an eBureau is to maintain Middleware on your behalf. Meridian will deliver / receive transactions electronically with the eBureau, who will then transfer the transactions from/to you.

An eBureau is provided by a 3rd-party company and handles all the technical complexity of Middleware on your behalf. Such complexity may include technical issues relating to:

• Message formats
• Protocols
• Digital Certificates
• Non-repudiation
• Data translation
• Error-handling
• Guaranteed message delivery.

Using an eBureau allows you to conduct eCommerce with customers, including Telstra.

Is an eBureau the best eCommerce tool for You?

To capitalise on the benefits that eCommerce can provide you when doing business with Telstra, an eBureau is perhaps the most appropriate eCommerce tool to consider if:

• you are a medium to large company
• you conduct medium to high volumes of transactions with Telstra
• you have a need to trade electronically with other customers besides Telstra.

What are the benefits of an eBureau to You?

Does not require you to train your staff in specialist Middleware skills.

• Requires relatively low set-up and ongoing costs.
• Can provide integration to your own 'back-end' IT systems.
• Allows you to receive a single, consistent format for all incoming electronic documents from the eBureau, even though your customers may be sending electronic documents in a variety of formats to the eBureau.
• Provides you with the flexibility of conducting eCommerce via the Internet as well as via other electronic mediums such as EDI

Things to consider when engaging an eBureau

What requirements/connections/standards are necessary for trading via eCommerce with your customers.

• Your company's level of IT expertise.
• Your eBureau Provider's experience with your Business/IT requirements.
• Your IT development and implementation costs (may vary depending on the complexity or number of customers).
• What level of integration you may require between the eBureau's IT systems and your own 'back-end' IT systems.