The application of the new GS1 DataBar symbology, the implementation of EPC and GDSN, and the GS1 strategy regarding “mobile commerce” were the topics that dominated this year’s GS1 General Assembly in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The assembly, attended by over 230 participants from 89 countries, is the most important meeting for the international GS1 Association, which is dedicated to developing and implementing global standards and solutions to improve efficiency and transparency in supply chains. The new standards and technologies discussed are addressed to all users, both small and large companies, because only standardization will ensure the rapid profitability of their implementation. As Danny Wegmann, the outgoing GS1 Chairman, emphasized, standardization is the foundation for rapid implementation and, consequently, for reducing implementation costs. The role of global companies as leaders in standardization is enormous here, and they should join GS1 as soon as possible to work together to develop a uniform, common, multi-industry approach.
GDSN – Global Data Synchronization Network
GDSN is an example of a new solution that is increasingly paving its way among companies around the world. Currently, the network consists of 23 certified data pools and operates in 50 countries, supported everywhere by national GS1 organizations. It is developing most dynamically in the USA, Canada, and Australia; however, significant progress has also been noted in Europe over the last year. The Etoile 2007 project proved that catalog infrastructure is available on the Old Continent and is functioning correctly. The project participants: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the USA, have integrated their retailers, manufacturers, and electronic catalogs into the international network, significantly intensifying data exchange between them. Jochen Rackebrand, Director of Customer Supply Chain Development Europe at Kraft Foods, presented the company’s experience and policy regarding the implementation of master data synchronization. Currently, this synchronization takes place for 50% of all Kraft products and is implemented in 12 countries worldwide. Pilot implementations in Spain and the UK are nearing completion, and implementation in Russia is planned next. Implementation experiences indicate the enormous importance of having high-quality data. In every country, the implementation process is preceded by the verification of one’s own data, and only such action is a condition for success.
GS1 DataBar
One of the decisions made at the General Assembly was to adopt a strategy for implementing GS1 DataBar for coding fresh fruits and vegetables. The lack of markings on these products, caused by the inability to use classic codes, often leads to sales losses caused by errors at the checkout. Tests conducted in the Wal-Mart chain clearly indicated an increase in sales registration accuracy and a decrease in inventory shrinkage. Partial pilot implementations in this area have also already been conducted in Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. A decision was made to begin the implementation of GS1 DataBar as early as 2010, with an ambitious goal of implementing it in all countries by 2014.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 4/2008.