barcodes, supply chains & more

An Interview With Michael Davis

From GS1 Australia

Michael Davis, GS1 Australia, Retail Director, General Merchandise & Apparel

Michael currently oversees the General Merchandise, Personal Care & Apparel/ Textile industry sectors with GS1 Australia, working with retailers and brand owners, supporting them to deliver Supply Chain and Master Data strategies with alignment to the evolving requirements of Automated Supply Chains.

A little about GS1 Australia...

GS1 Australia is a member organisation of GS1, a global non-profit association that develops and maintains standards for supply chain and business communication.

Most famously, GS1 is known for its barcode standards that are used universally. GS1 Australia helps companies obtain and use barcodes and other GS1 identifiers to improve the efficiency and visibility of their supply chains, ensure product authenticity, and enhance customer engagement.

GS1 Australia also offers services in barcode testing, data synchronisation, training and consulting to ensure businesses are equipped to use the GS1 system effectively.

What about other companies selling barcodes online...

This is a risk you take when purchasing barcode numbers online or from unofficial sellers. GS1 Australia administers the GS1 system locally and is the only authorised source in Australia for GS1 barcode numbers and standards which are used globally.

Online marketplaces like Amazon, Alibaba, eBay, and The Iconic to name but a few, have stringent requirements to ensure product authenticity.

Any product identifiers that do not align with GS1 data could be considered invalid and may cause problems that are timeconsuming and expensive to fix for brand owners.

The importance of standards in the retail supply chain...

Getting your product out into the market quickly and seamlessly is more critical than ever.

Whether you’re a small business owner looking to sell your products online, or a larger company dealing with major retailers, having a unique identification number and a globally recognised barcode system in place is crucial.

Standards in identification and barcoding ensure that globally unique numbers are used to identify a product, anywhere in the world. These numbers are then used to create the barcode that goes onto your product.

However, not all barcodes are created equally. Having the right number is not enough. A correctly configured barcode will ensure that your barcode will scan the first time, every time.

So many times, barcodes are printed incorrectly causing them to fail where it matters most, at the point of sale. GS1 standards help prevent many problems that ultimately cost money, effort and time to fix.

How can GS1 help a typical member of AGHA?

If your primary goal is to get your product into the market quickly and effortlessly, then GS1 Australia membership is your answer. Being a GS1 member means you have access to more than just a barcode number.

You get continued support from our experts including:

• Training

• Barcode Check service

• Participation in industry workgroups

• Informative newsletters

• Easily accessible Customer Support

• Consultancy and advisory services

GS1 Australia is your trusted partner for obtaining authentic barcodes and catering to businesses of all sizes.

Remember, the right barcode can open doors to new opportunities and growth for your business, the wrong number can just end in disaster.