An interview with Rolf Stark, CEO of SINFOS GmbH.
Iwo Nowak: Why did SINFOS decide to start operations in Poland?
Rolf Stark: Poland is one of the most attractive, developing markets in Europe, and the decision to enter here was obvious. Furthermore, the existing group of SINFOS users has numerous representative offices here. Polish users can also benefit from their presence by leveraging our extensive experience in this area.
I.N.: Why this year in particular?
R.S.: We considered the beginning of 2007 the right time to take action. More and more countries are opting for our catalog, which provides support from experienced business organizations, a guarantee of value-added services (such as product photography), and access to master data and transaction data from a single location in an integrated manner. ILiM – GS1 Poland also had to decide on how to migrate EANIC catalog users to the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN). The analysis showed that SINFOS is the most favorable solution, enabling a smooth migration to the new catalog while saving costs on preparing the new catalog’s infrastructure.
I.N.: What is your task “for today”?
R.S.: Connecting leading Polish retailers with at least 150 suppliers within 12 months. This is the critical mass that justifies the investments on the part of users related to joining the catalog.
I.N.: What benefits can Polish catalog users expect?
R.S.: By synchronizing product master data using electronic catalogs, retailers and suppliers will be able to eliminate the workload involved in acquiring and ensuring the quality of master data from special product information forms specific to a given retailer; increase the quality and precision of exchanged data; avoid the need for retailers to synchronize data with all suppliers separately; and reduce mapping costs to almost zero thanks to data synchronization in a common format, based on global GS1 system standards. Electronic catalogs allow for cost savings in supply chain processes.
I.N.: Does SINFOS plan further promotional activities in Europe?
R.S.: We are systematically strengthening our position as a leading catalog in Europe. Therefore, we want to expand our operations to other countries. Thanks to closer cooperation with other electronic catalogs around the world, we can work with countries in the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 5/2007.