How EDI Automation and Partnership with TrueCommerce Fueled 50% Growth at Marathon Medical 

The Objective 

• Implement an EDI solution that could handle the unique complexities of government contracts 
• Automate manual processes to reduce errors and improve operational efficiency 
• Integrate seamlessly with existing Sage 100 ERP system 
• Enable staff to focus on strategic activities rather than manual, administrative tasks 

The Solution 

Marathon Medical selected TrueCommerce for its flexible EDI integration with Sage 100 and robust Transaction Manager platform to streamline its complex order processing requirements. 

The Results 

• Accelerated Business Growth: Supported a nearly 50% year-over-year revenue increase, fueled by operational efficiency and automation 
• Improved Order Accuracy: Eliminated manual errors by automating PO field translations and streamlining workflows across trading partners 
• Automated Quality Control: Enabled accurate, hands-free order verification to ensure the right products are delivered to the correct locations 
• Proactive Customer Engagement: Freed internal teams from manual tasks, allowing a shift to account management and upselling activities 
• Reliable ERP Integration: Maintained seamless performance across multiple Sage 100 upgrades with responsive, knowledgeable support 

About Marathon Medical 

Marathon Medical is a specialized healthcare distribution company that works extensively with government contracts, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense. The company manages complex supply chain requirements while ensuring timely delivery of critical medical supplies to healthcare facilities nationwide. Its unique business model requires handling multiple purchase order numbers and maintaining strict compliance with government contracting regulations while delivering exceptional customer service. 

A Fresh Perspective Meets a Complex Industry 

When Hector Moreno joined Marathon Medical as CTO in 2021, he brought a fresh, technology-agnostic lens to the company’s operations. With no previous experience in distribution but a strong background in software development and healthcare consulting, Moreno quickly evaluated existing systems for efficiency and scalability. 

Early conversations with TrueCommerce’s account manager made a lasting impression. “She took the time to truly understand how Marathon’s model deviated from typical industry workflows, especially around the nuances of government procurement,” Moreno shared. “That consultative approach gave me confidence that TrueCommerce wasn’t just a vendor, they were a partner who understood our mission.” 

One of the first issues Moreno tackled was the complexity of Marathon’s purchase order (PO) workflows. As a supplier to federal agencies, the company regularly juggled multiple PO numbers per transaction—internal, customer-facing, and trading partner-issued—all of which needed to align accurately across documents like packing slips, invoices, and shipping labels. Before TrueCommerce, managing those differences required time-consuming, error-prone manual work. 

“Every customer has its own facility code, and we can’t lock our systems into that,” Moreno explained. “TrueCommerce’s ability to create custom fields and map PO numbers across workflows was essential.” 

Tackling a Tangled Web of Purchase Orders 

To address these operational challenges, Marathon needed an EDI platform that could adapt to its non-standard workflows. Off-the-shelf solutions lacked the flexibility required to meet the unique demands of government procurement. TrueCommerce, however, delivered the customization and configurability the company needed, eliminating bottlenecks and enabling automated, end-to-end order processing. 

“TrueCommerce helped us clean up what was essentially a massive backlog of manual work,” said Moreno. “Translating PO numbers, matching documentation, and verifying shipments across three different entities used to consume hours. Now, it’s fully automated.” 

Freeing Teams to Focus on What Matters 

The impact of this automation rippled across the organization. Manual order entry—once handled by customer service reps taking phone calls and emails—was replaced with seamless EDI transactions. Teams previously focused on data entry and troubleshooting were redeployed toward more strategic roles. 

“Now our team isn’t chasing order errors or checking PO acknowledgments. They’re engaging with customers and supporting our growth. It’s a completely different way of working,” noted Moreno. This shift to proactive account management helped build stronger client relationships and drive greater customer satisfaction. 

Automation as a Catalyst for Long-Term Growth 

One of the most significant transformations occurred in quality control. “Our QC process—being able to confirm that the right products are going to the right locations—is now almost entirely automated,” Moreno said. Delays, backorders, and shipment verification are no longer tracked manually, freeing staff to focus on higher-value tasks. 

Collections also improved. With more accurate and timely order and invoice processing, trading partners paid faster, further reducing administrative burden and boosting cash flow.  

TrueCommerce gave Marathon the technical edge to confidently manage these nuances. This reliability positioned Marathon as a trusted extension of its partners’ sales channels into the federal space. “It’s a win-win,” said Moreno. “Our trading partners gain access to a stable, paying market, and we get access to their expansive product lines. That mutual confidence is powered by our ability to execute—thanks in large part to our EDI infrastructure.” 

The integration between TrueCommerce Transaction Manager and Sage 100 plays a critical role in supporting the efficiency of the overall solution. “We’ve gone through two Sage upgrades and never had an issue with the EDI connection, thanks to the TrueCommerce support team,” said Moreno. “That kind of consistency is rare.” 

While Marathon Medical’s revenue growth of 50% year over year has been influenced by multiple factors—including a product catalog expansion from 400 to 3,600 SKUs—Moreno credits EDI as a foundational driver. “If you ask my CEO, 100% of our growth is because of automation,” he laughed. “The reality is, without TrueCommerce, we couldn’t have scaled this way.” 

A Partnership Built on Trust 

For Moreno, the choice to recommend TrueCommerce to peers comes down to one core principle: trust. 

As a small business, there’s always some anxiety when partnering with a new tech vendor—questions like, ‘Will their support team understand us?’ or ‘Will we be left to handle issues on our own?’” he said. “But with TrueCommerce, those concerns quickly disappeared. From technical support to account management, we’ve consistently worked with people who genuinely care and always follow through. 

Moreno regularly fields inquiries from other federal suppliers considering EDI. His advice is consistent: “TrueCommerce delivers on what matters most in business partnerships: understanding your unique needs, providing reliable solutions, and being accountable when challenges arise. They’ve consistently proven themselves as a trusted partner in our growth journey.” 

A Solid EDI Partnership Fuels Ambitious Expansion 

With TrueCommerce’s EDI solution firmly established, Marathon Medical is well-positioned for continued growth. The automated processes and integrated systems provide a scalable foundation that can accommodate increasing order volumes without proportional increases in administrative overhead. 

“TrueCommerce’s solutions have given us the confidence to pursue more complex contracts knowing our automated systems can handle the requirements,” said Moreno. “Their flexibility and support have become critical assets in our growth strategy.” 

Ready to transform your business with integrated EDI solutions? Contact TrueCommerce today to discover how our flexible integration options and dedicated support can help your company achieve similar results.