1. Which conditions have to be met to be able use the MEC application?
Related answers can be found in the "First Steps" documents in the Infotheque.
2. Which messages can users share through MEC? Will other messages be added in the future?
At the moment retailing partners can share orders (ORDERS), delivery notes (DESADV) and invoices (INVOIC) though MEC. Incoming goods reports (RECADV) will be implemented next.
3. For how long can suppliers use the current V.A.T. rate?
Invoices and credit notes with delivery dates up to the 31st of December 2006 are subject to the old tax rate of 16 percent. W.e.f. the first of January 2007 the new tax rate of 19 percent applies. On the same date the V.A.T. rate on agricultural articles also increases from 9 to 10.7 percent. In this case the delivery date decides which tax rate to apply.
4. Of which company documents can METRO Group companies avail themselves?
MEC application is basically available to the following companies:
- Galeria Kaufhof
- Dinea
- MGL METRO Group Logistics
- C + C Schaper
- Real
- Metro Cash & Carry, Makro Cash & Carry
Suppliers have to agree with individual companies on the type of information they are actually going to share.
5. What happens when several users are working with MEC at the same time or even on the same document?
Suppliers’ employees – classified by an ILN (International Location Number) – are generally able to use the MEC application simultaneously. Working on the same document at the same time however is not possible.
6. Can multiple users be informed by email about new orders (ORDERS)?
Yes that is possible. Since the email information is an additional service of the METRO Group, the user will still have to check whether new orders have come in.
7. Can delivery notes (DESADV) also be used without the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)?
For processing delivery notes it is an absolute requirement to provide the administrator of the MEC application with the length of the basic number, the starting SSCC and the number of SSCCs (see "First Steps“). If no SSCCs are used suppliers are given the opportunity to enter the valid SSCC number NVE 300000000000000001.
8. Can MEC also process credit notes?
Yes. Using the link "invoice"suppliers can select the type of document "Credit note".
9. Are 14-digit EANs supported?
Yes. This data field has been incorporated accordingly in all messages.
10. Is MEC available around the clock?
As a rule the MEC application is available around the clock. In the case of any site maintenance users will be informed about the period involved on time.
11. Who do I have to approach when I want to send DESADV data to METRO retail brands using MEC?
Your contact is the Supplier Collaboration Team. It can be contacted using the email address info@metro-link.com
or telephone number 0211 969-5465.
12. Who do I have to approach when wrong EANs or article numbers are indicated or minimum quantities are not adhered to?
In such cases please approach your Category Management partner.
13. Can I transfer orders (ORDERS) from MEC to my own merchandize management system?
Yes. For that purpose there is an interface description which can be found in the infotheque. more
15. Is there online documentation/help for MEC?
Yes. The MEC handbook can be found in the infotheque. more
16. Why are market addresses, international location numbers (ILN) etc. not automatically updated?
MEC allows users to make personal entries. Automatic updating would overwrite and/or delete such entries.
17. Can I fax a combined invoice which I have already faxed, again?
Yes, in the MEC box just select the link "Invoice Register" and click on the button "Show sent" .Apart from the ones waiting to be send it also indicates sent documents. In the right column the corresponding combined invoice number is displayed in blue. Clicking on this number provides you with the combined invoice which you can now print out.
18. On importing invoices I receive the error message "Delivery i.e. invoice address does not exist"?
On import a check is carried out whether the corresponding delivery and invoice ILNs are available in the MEC box. If not, the invoice is rejected. For that purpose the delivery addresses have to be entered either manually or via the list of "associated buying companies" into the MEC box using the link "Administration." The corresponding invoice addresses can then be entered manually via the menu of by importing them into an interface file.
19. Why do I receive the message "nil" and just an empty screen having clicked on the invoice button?
This implies that there are approximately 1,000 invoices in your MEC box which have to be deleted. Please call the Hotline.
20. Can I produce delivery notes manually?
No. Delivery notes can only be generated as a result of existing orders or imported through ASCII interface files.
21. Can I use an order to produce a single or several delivery notes? (Split delivery)?
No, that is not possible because the turnaround procedure implies that an order has to generate a delivery note and an invoice. An exception is only possible when different delivery dates are involved in which case several delivery notes can be generated in respect of an order by importing file data.
