Introduction
iTradeNetwork has introduced an Advanced Shipping Notification (ASN) compliance solution built specifically for Walmart’s Supplier Quality Excellence Program (SQEP). For manufacturers and brands working with Walmart and Sam’s Club, this announcement signals a practical shift in how suppliers will need to manage shipment data and compliance workflows to protect supply chain performance and retail relationships.
What happened
The market saw the release of a vendor solution aimed at meeting the ASN requirements bundled into Walmart’s SQEP. The product is positioned to help suppliers generate, validate and deliver ASNs that align with Walmart’s expectations for quality, timeliness and data completeness. While the announcement focuses on the tool’s alignment with SQEP, the broader context is that Walmart continues to emphasize electronic shipment notifications and data accuracy as part of its supplier performance framework.
Why this matters to manufacturers and suppliers
- ASN accuracy is now integral to supplier performance. Walmart uses ASN data to plan receiving, allocate labor, and manage on-shelf availability. Non-compliant or late ASNs can affect store inventory accuracy and trigger performance reviews under SQEP.
- Operational friction can translate to financial impact. Missing or incorrect shipment data increases the likelihood of receiving delays, chargebacks, and deductions. Tools that improve ASN compliance help reduce these risks.
- Scale and consistency across channels are critical. Suppliers shipping to both Walmart and Sam’s Club must maintain consistent ASN processes for varied DC requirements. A standardized compliance approach reduces manual fixes and exceptions.
- Data governance and traceability matter more than ever. Retailers increasingly expect structured, validated data. Investing in reliable ASN workflows supports traceability, auditability, and faster issue resolution during recalls or quality events.
Practical business considerations for your team
- Assess current ASN maturity: Map your ASN generation process, data sources (ERP/WMS), validation checkpoints, and exception handling. Identify where errors and delays most commonly originate.
- Decide integration vs. point solution: Evaluate whether a specialist ASN compliance tool should be integrated into your existing supply chain systems or used as a point solution. Consider ease of integration with your ERP, TMS, or EDI provider and the level of automation you need.
- Prioritize data quality rules: Establish and enforce validation rules for key ASN fields (e.g., PO numbers, carton counts, GTINs, weights, pallet configurations). Automated pre-submit validation reduces rework at the DC.
- Plan for exceptions and governance: Create escalation paths for ASN failures and assign ownership for timely corrections. Define SLAs so your team can meet Walmart’s inbound windows and SQEP expectations consistently.
- Monitor supplier scorecards: Track your ASN-related KPIs and how they affect SQEP status. Use trend reporting to identify recurring issues by site, carrier, or product line and prioritize corrective actions.
- Train operations and carrier partners: Ensure both internal teams and third-party carriers understand ASN requirements and submission timelines. Carrier adherence to accurate manifest and electronic data interchange is part of the end-to-end ASN promise.
Short-term actions
- Inventory your current ASN toolset and data flow within the next 30 days.
- Run a sample audit of recent ASNs sent to Walmart and identify top error types.
- Engage account teams to confirm any SQEP-related timelines or remediation plans with Walmart representatives.
Longer-term strategy
- Standardize ASN processes across distribution centers and contract manufacturers to minimize variability.
- Consider vendor solutions that offer automated validation, integration with your ERP/WMS, and reporting to support SQEP scorecard improvements.
- Embed ASN compliance into broader supply chain continuous improvement programs to protect on-shelf availability and retailer relationships.
Prime Perspective
When retailers raise the bar on shipment data and supplier performance, the winners are the manufacturers who pair strategic planning with operational discipline. By aligning systems, data practices, and execution to meet ASN and SQEP expectations, teams safeguard retail relationships and minimize cost and service disruptions. Prime Sales & Marketing helps clients translate new compliance requirements into integrated plans that protect revenue and retail shelf presence.