The GS1 Ireland Magazine | Spring 2009
BRIDGE Project successfully demonstrates Pharma traceability
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Index
CEO’s Comment
CEO’s Comment
2
GS1 News
3
The BRIDGE Project
4-8
Report on BRIDGE Project
4-6
Interview with John Clark, Athlone Pharmaceuticals
7-8
Food Traceability – Irish Pork Dioxin scare
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GS1 lobbies Government on eCommerce
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GS1 Solution Provider Accreditation
12-13
EPCglobal/RFID
14-17
EPCglobal President at GS1 Ireland seminar
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GS1 Spain presents revolutionary interactive shopping cart 14 European Pallet Association EPC/RFID pilot programme
15
German soap factory benefits from EPC/RFID
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EPC/RFID in high fashion in Sweden
16-17
GS1 Professional Services
18-19
GS1 Mobile Com
20-21
New Members
22
Editor/Advertising Manager
Circulation Manager
Ross Carew 087 223 5867
Adreena Cullen (01) 208 0671
Contributors
Designer
Jim Bracken Denis Coleman Ross Carew Barry Spellman Adreena Cullen John Jenkins
Mila Print & Design 087 927 2973
GS1 Ireland, The Nutley Building, Merrion Road, Dublin 4 Tel: (01) 208 0660 Fax (01) 208 0670 Email: info@gs1ie.org
www.gs1ie.org 2
The front cover of this issue features the very successful BRIDGE Pharma Track & Trace Pilot which was funded by the EU Commission under the FP6 programme. The pilot concept was developed by the GS1 in Europe EHI (European Healthcare Initiaitive) and followed on from an earlier project which demonstrated how the medication used for treating haemophilia patients could be tracked from manufacturer to point of care. The significance of the BRIDGE pilot is that it has clearly demonstrated the feasibility of printing GS1 Data Matrix bar codes (containing serialised GTINs, batch and expiry information) on patient packs at normal line speeds. This is really very critical as regulatory bodies such as the FDA and the EU are considering the mandating of patient pack serialisation in order to secure the pharmaceutical supply chain against the increasing threat of counterfeit products. Furthermore, this development will lead to dramatic improvements in patient safety and supply chain efficiency by enabling patient packs with bar codes containing batch and expiry data to be scanned. Accuracy of product recalls would also be enhanced. At present, only a fraction of recalled product is ever found and destroyed due to the lack of visibility across the supply chain. Irish Pork Products Recall Talking of visibility, the recent total recall of Irish pork products illustrates a serious shortcoming in the existing traceability system. Had pork products been marked with GS1 DataBar bar codes containing batch details it would have been possible to have had a more targeted recall. This would have reduced the recall costs and indeed the impact on Ireland’s Food Island brand. Looking on the positive side, I am certain that lessons have been learned in terms of the criticality of having effective and efficient traceability systems. The added benefit of good traceability systems is the fact that we have clear evidence that they are more than self-financing. This is because the improved product visibility and processes lead to better supply chain management and real cost reductions through the elimination of paperwork. GS1 Global Forum The media refer to the pork recall as a crisis. Strangely enough the Chinese characters which make up the word crisis, , actually mean danger and opportunity. At the recent GS1 Global Forum in Brussels this was explained by our Chairman, Bob McDonald of P&G, and his advice was to turn crisis into opportunity. In a very well articulated talk on leadership he
stressed the need for organisations to be agile in times of crisis and to focus and excel in the execution of the fundamentals. Among the presentations at the Global Forum was a fascinating one from Carrefour on how they plan to exploit Mobile Com (scanning product bar codes with mobile phones) to improve customer services. Various applications included extended packaging (because of the scarcity of space on packaging) and product information from GS1 data pools which help shoppers check to see if products contain allergens, etc. “Yes we scan and so can you” was the catchphrase for the session. There is an article in this issue which details current developments in Mobile Com. eGovernment Turning to domestic matters, the crisis in our public finances has highlighted the need for ensuring that our public services operate as efficiently as possible. Only by doing so will we be able to compete internationally. GS1 Ireland in its pre-Budget submission has been urging the deployment of eGovernement and in particular a total changeover to electronic invoicing across all public services. Countries such as Sweden and Denmark, which have already done so, have achieved significant savings and ROI.
Current Developments I would also like to draw your attention to our new look website. Please visit it and give us your feedback. Finally, I am pleased to tell you that our data pool pilot continues and it is proving valuable in terms of learnings which we are documenting and will report on at a future date.
Jim Bracken Chief Executive Officer
YES WE S CAN AND SO CAN YOU
GS1 News The Board and management of GS1 are pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Kelly, Bob Semple and Marco Pattori to the Supervisory Board.
Michael Kelly Michael is Chair of the Higher Education Authority – the policy and funding body for higher education in Ireland. His career to-date has been based in the public sector. Other senior assignments over the last decade include Deputy Secretary General of the
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Secretary General of the Department of Health and Children. Currently, his time is divided between the HEA role, some consultancy work and a number of directorships.
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User community and Solution Providers collaborate in EU BRIDGE project
The Pharma Traceability Pilot - building a complete item-level traceability system within the pharmaceutical supply chain.
funded by the EU. One of its Business Application work packages was the Pharma Traceability Pilot, which aimed to demonstrate full item-level traceability in a live operating environment.
Finding strategies that improve patient safety is a hot topic for pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers alike. With errors in medication administration and the problem of counterfeit drugs entering health services both increasing, it’s essential that technologies which can track drugs and monitor their progress throughout the entire supply chain are implemented as soon as possible. Getting the correct, authentic drugs to patients quickly and accurately is an essential component in reducing medical errors and increasing patient safety. Implementing systems that support the traceability of products also help ensure product recalls are effected thoroughly and swiftly, preventing patients being exposed to sub-standard, or dangerous drugs.
The project’s overarching objectives were to implement a complete supply chain traceability system for pharmaceutical products to improve patient safety and increase supply chain efficiency. Additionally this would facilitate the development of related supply chain applications such as electronic pedigree, authentication, recall, inventory management and financial reconciliation. Implementing the traceability trial The project - the operational pilot having been completed in May 2008 - is the only one of its kind in the world to involve the trialling of such a comprehensive standards-based tracking and tracing
Quite apart from improving patient safety, having the means to automate key elements of the global pharmaceutical supply chain and receive live information about the location of products significantly improves visibility, reduces administrative overheads and consequently delivers tangible efficiencies. Piloting traceability technologies in the pharmaceutical industry For the past two and a half years, members of the pharmaceutical supply chain user community and a group of innovative IT solution providers, together with GS1, the global standards organisation, have been participating in the BRIDGE (Building Radio frequency IDentification solutions for the Global Environment) project, a 3-year research and development project part 4
Figure 1 - GPS Trace of Product shipped from Athlone Labs. Ireland to Kent Pharmaceuticals
system within a live, end-to-end supply chain spanning drug packaging, their distribution, right through to their receipt at the hospital pharmacy. Pilot participants included: • Drugs companies, Althone Laboratories, Actavis and Sandoz • Dutch contract packer, Tjoapack • Distributors, Kent Pharmaceuticals and CPG Logistics • Transport provider, Movianto • Wholesaler, UniChem • Recipient/customer, Barts and the London NHS Trust • Equipment and printing solution vendors, Domino • Project management and business consulting, JJ Associates • Technical design and software development, Melior Solutions • EPCIS database provision, VeriSign Inc • Provision of coding structure, standards and RFID consultancy, GS1 UK A range of technologies and standards were implemented to allow fifteen different types of drugs to be tracked from the start of their journey at the packaging plants – one in Ireland, one in the Netherlands - to the end, at Barts’ and the London hospital. Technology and standards Data Matrix symbology was used on all levels of product packaging from individual items to product bundles, cases, pallets and even transport lorries. It was chosen for its cost effectiveness and robustness and its ability to carry a 4-string data structure, which was first deployed by GS1 Ireland during the NCHCD Haemophilia Medication pilot of early 2006. In this case the structure comprised the GTIN, serial number, expiry date and batch number. In addition, RFID tags were employed on cases and pallets in hybrid labels, with printed bar codes. Selected pallets were also fitted with active devices to allow GPS tracking across the international supply chain. Every single pack of each product involved was assigned a unique serial number. Using this and the process of aggregating the contents to other packaging levels that were also assigned unique serial number identifiers allowed full traceability of every single item from the packaging line to the final destination. Printing systems were installed that enabled the required codes to be assigned, printed and checked within the production line. EPCIS, EPCglobal’s network standards for supply chain-wide data collection was also implemented to capture data at each ‘handover’ point in the journey. The pilot process goes live Prior to the pilot commencing, all participants received in-depth training on the systems they would be
responsible for, or operate. During the pilot’s operation, all technology partners provided on-site and phonebased application support, recording issues and rectifying glitches. Step 1 At the patient pack level, each item was coded with a unique SGTIN (serialised Global Trade Item Number), in the form of a 2-D Data Matrix code together with the expiry and batch information. Step 2 Packs were aggregated into a case coded with an SGTIN correctly identifying the contents as a grouped trade item. The case label was a hybrid, or multi-format type, capable of storing the SGTIN code and expiry/batch information as a Data Matrix code, GS1-128 linear barcode and human readable text. The SGTIN was also encoded into the RFID tag. This ensured that the case label would be readable no matter what system was used downstream. Step 3 Finally cases were scanned as they were aggregated onto pallets. The RFID tag was also scanned to provide alternative data that could be compared to the data read by bar code scanners. This would later allow full evaluation of the technologies used in this process. Each pallet was given an SSCC identifier which was encoded on the pallet label as a 2-D Data Matrix code, GS1-128 barcode and onto an EPC Gen 2 standard UHF RFID tag. Step 4 Upon despatch, each pallet was scanned onto a vehicle, each of which was assigned a unique GS1 GRAI (Global Returnable Asset Identifier) code number that was also scanned so that all its contents were associated to it. For those pallets implanted with a GPS tracking device, their unique codes were linked to the EPCIS system via mobile tracking and read at regular intervals to check their progress which was recorded as part of the chain of custody process. Data was sent back to a central server for display on a map. Step 5 At each stage of the journey to the wholesaler, pallets were scanned as they were removed from one vehicle and scanned again as they were loaded onto the next vehicle. This was carried out using mobile phones, loaded with decoding software that scanned the Data Matrix code and sent the data via SMS to an EPCIS database, so that each transaction or movement was recorded. Step 6 When the pallets reached the wholesaler they were scanned with a barcode scanner (and the data sent to 5
the respective EPCIS database). Then each pallet was moved through an RFID portal, data from which was stored separately to enable easy comparison between the two methods. Step 7 Warehouse staff picked the required products for delivery to Barts, scanning the products into a tote box, which was uniquely identified using a GRAI code. The tote was labelled, bearing a Data Matrix code and an SSCC label applied on the folded lid to act as an antitamper device. As they were loaded for delivery, each tote was again scanned. Step 8 Once at the hospital pharmacy, staff scanned the SSCC code to record receipt of the goods and all contents were checked against the tote manifest which was generated from the EPCIS record. Drawing positive conclusions Currently, all the data collected during the pilot is being evaluated and key learnings are being developed. However, what is clear is that the pilot was an overall success and that the technology required to implement full international supply chain traceability systems is available today.
design may have to take into consideration the space required to print Data Matrix symbology. Staff training and robust intuitive applications will also play a crucial role in the success of any traceability solution implementation. Regardless of these concerns, traceability systems will have an incredibly positive impact on improving patient safety and reducing the scourge of counterfeit drugs. For more information about this pilot and to access all the reports pertaining to the BRIDGE project visit: www.bridge-project.eu/ or see www.bridgewp6.eu.
Or contact JJ Associates
Tel: +44 (0) 118 9034073 Email: john.jenkins@jjassociates.com
Good communication and collaboration between trading partners was vital to the success of this project. The use of open systems information standards with the hybrid environment of data carriers – GS1 Data Matrix and RFID – supported this by maximising system interoperability. Coupling the 4-string data set with the EPCIS system delivered complete traceability. As each participant in the supply chain recorded the movement of the products in and out of their custody, the data that was sent to their respective EPCIS databases formed the necessary traceability information. Cumulatively, and in a live scenario, this could deliver significant efficiencies and reduce costs. Having the product code, serial number, batch number and expiry date aligned to the EPCIS system also supports future recall capabilities, inventory management and financial reconciliation, which will generate further process efficiencies. In the context of Bridge project collaboration, the traceability data collected has been shared with the Bridge work packages, notably Work Packages 2/3 (supply chain serialisation software) and Work Package 5 (counterfeit product analysis) to supplement their project findings. The real-world nature of the pilot of course highlighted issues that will require solutions prior to future implementations. For example, the complexity of coding and printing within the production line environment requires meticulous planning. Packaging 6
Secure Track & Trace Every Step of the Way Looking for totally compliant track and trace solutions? Look no further than Domino, the experienced coding partner.We offer: • Interoperable coding platforms using laser, ink jet and RFID, with supporting software and connectivity • Expertise in coding integrity and security solutions across a wide range of global industries • Product traceability using linear & composite codes such as Data Matrix including human readable information • Off-line or in-line code validation and verification for product authentication • Unique industry knowledge, ensuring fully compliant solutions • Complete management support from initial system design, migration and implementation strategy, installation, training and maintenance. Need an experienced industry partner? Contact Domino, the RFID and coding experts, today.
Domino. Leading the World in Variable Printing and Coding Solutions. Please contact Codico Distributors Ltd for further information on 051 379933 or visit us at www.codico-distributors.com
www.domino-printing.com
Interview with John Clark, Athlone Pharmaceuticals Athlone Pharmaceuticals and its sister company, Kent Pharmaceuticals, were key participants in the Pharma Traceability Pilot, part of the BRIDGE project and co-funded by the EU. We spoke to John Clark, Commercial Director of Athlone Pharmaceuticals.
Kent Pharmaceuticals Limited (KPL), with headquarters in Ashford, Kent, was established in 1986 by founder members, Denis O'Neill and Michael Overy, as a supplier of generic pharmaceuticals to pharmacy. Not content to act simply as a supplier, in 1992 KPL purchased Athlone Pharmaceuticals Ltd. This provided a manufacturing facility and today allows the production and supply of a range of penicillin based products such as Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Flucloxacillin and Penicillin tablets, capsules, sachets and syrups for the UK and Irish markets, as well as a number of export markets.
How did Athlone Pharmaceuticals/Kent Pharmaceuticals come to be involved in the BRIDGE project? Tony Walsh of Domino, an old friend, told me that they were going to do a track and trace trial on pharmaceutical products and we got chatting. The original plan was to base the trial around brand (pharmaceutical) companies. I told him that, to be successful, the trial had to be able to work with generic medicines as well as brands and that governments won’t buy into the idea unless generic companies can afford to implement the proposed coding, as generic medicines have a 50% share of many European markets. In the early days they were talking about putting RFID tags on individual packs but, as these costs 50p each, the cost would have been prohibitive, so it evolved into using data matrix coding which is much more appropriate from a generics’ perspective. The reason that we were interested is that, as a
manufacturer/supplier of generic medicines, the challenge is always to be different. By definition, the product we make is the same as our competitors, so we are always looking for a marketing edge, be it in packaging, an added benefit, or some other USP. We supply 30 companies in 30 countries around the world and we were interested in seeing how we could leverage the experience gained from participating in this trial. In France, they are moving to data matrix coding on all pharmaceuticals, not for track and trace, but for coding of price and product information. If we could add this technology to our sales proposition and governments do decide to make coding a requirement in the future, then we could get a head start on the competition. Track and trace of pharmaceuticals makes sense in terms of patient safety as well as anti-counterfeiting and supply chain management and the technology is now capable of achieving it. Governments are always slow to move but, at the moment, there is no alternative on the horizon which is why there has been so much interest in the BRIDGE project. What demands did the traceability pilot make on Athlone Pharmaceuticals? Athlone was not big enough to be the only manufacturer in the pilot, so I also spoke to colleagues at Sandoz and Actavis, two of the biggest generic manufacturers in the world, who were also keen to be involved. It was a challenge and a big learning curve for Domino who supplied all the hardware and software and our maintenance engineering team in Athlone who had to put the kit onto the production line, laser coders, cameras, etc. The main problem was that it was always difficult to slot in the installation of equipment between production runs. Because it couldn’t interfere with the normal production scheduling, it could only be done at weekends or in spare time. We had to be able to switch the track & trace equipment on and off as required and
Athlone Pharmaceuticals manufacturing facility 7
The manufacturing line at Athlone there were also some redesigns to packaging needed in order to allow easier reading of the codes. The whole process was quite time consuming. For the traceability pilot, the way it worked was that Unichem, the wholesaler in the UK, sent an order to Kent Pharmaceuticals who ordered product from Athlone. The order was made up of blister cartons and suspensions of different molecules which were data matrix coded and dispatched in mixed pallets with RFID tags on the pallets for delivery to Kent. These were then shipped on to Unichem who broke the pallets down and shipped the required packs to Barts and the London hospitals. What are the main learnings from the Traceability pilot? There was a lot of trial and error with the equipment and running tests, which was to be expected. We never got in a position to run packs down the line at full production speed but if track and trace became a requirement and we had enough time to spend consistently on the process then I am confident that the technology will deliver all the required results. The main learning was that data matrix coding rather than RFID is the right solution for pack traceability, primarily for cost reasons and the RFID technology is not robust enough yet. RFID has a place. It’s fine on pallet but not down at carton level. I can’t see it getting to that stage for a long time. Data matrix allows so much more information to be stored than the standard bar code and bar code readers can easily be adapted to handle data matrix codes so no new equipment is needed in the supply chain, making it more cost effective for everyone involved.
medicines, fear of counterfeits. We can no longer sit around and do nothing. It’s not a matter of if something is going to happen; it’s a matter of when. The most obvious, the most robust and the most cost effective solution is the inclusion of data matrix coding on packs to enable full traceability through the supply chain. There are so many reasons for implementing this sort of technology. The UK has spent a fortune on developing electronic systems for prescribing and patient records. If you could make a connection between these and the medicines patients receive it makes sense for patient safety reasons. The UK government and many other governments are interested in the BRIDGE project and are awaiting the findings of the traceability pilot. The UK government has said that legislation is an option in this area and they are keen to read the final report to see what can be done for the future. I expect the report to have an impact on future policy in this area. In Turkey, the government intends to implement data matrix coding next year as part of a solution to stop a $1 billion “black hole” in reimbursement fraud. They see it as a control mechanism to reduce prescription fraud as it enables the checking of the pack and price for every product and every patient. France also wants it for coding and pricing. In Ireland, the HSE is currently looking at a number of electronic prescribing and patient record systems and is due to make some announcements on this shortly. It is clear that track and trace and the coding of packs would fit into the same area when they start looking at products.
How do you see Track and Trace impacting on the pharma industry? Something has to happen. There is a lot of government focus on patient safety, quality of 8
Preparing BRIDGE trial packs
Ensure that your bar codes scan first time, everytime!
Bar code Verification Did you know....
that its the responsibility of the ‘originator’ of the bar code, usually the brand owner of the product being bar coded, to ensure that it meets the quality requirements of the entire supply chain.
Ask yourself two simple questions...... Are you having trouble with your bar codes scanning, leading to troubled supplier-customer relationships? How confident are you that your bar codes will scan at all points of your supply chain?
If yes, GS1 Ireland can help, if you need to get your bar code verified please contact
Beatriz Gil Martin on 01 208-0660 or email beatriz.gilmartin@gs1ie.org
Ireland – The Food Island The vital importance of food traceability Ireland's agri-food industry is the cornerstone of our economy and accounts for some 8% of GDP and a similar proportion of total employment, amounting to over 160,000 jobs. The industry also accounts for a major proportion of exports of Irish-owned enterprises and its products are sold in over 170 markets around the world. 2008 was a trying year for the Irish food industry. The pig farming industry is the 4th biggest sector in Irish agriculture. August of 2008 saw an outbreak of salmonella in Ireland and across Europe. The outbreak involved over 140 cases, many of which were hospitalised and one associated death in the UK. In December we had the biggest recall to date in this country with the pork dioxin contamination scare. Authorities found dioxins in pork meat about 100 times the EU max level. It developed into a cash crisis at processing and producer levels and diminished or closed markets internationally. In recent years, there have been a number of dioxin contamination incidents of food worldwide. In 1998 dioxin contaminated citrus pulp from Brazil was used in feed for dairy animals in France and resulted in contaminated milk. A year later in Belgium, dioxin laden machine oil contaminated animal feed affecting poultry, eggs, red meat and milk which caused a major food crisis. The latest food scare came at a terrible time for Ireland, already severely hit by the global financial crisis, and just ahead of Christmas, when families would be buying more ham and pork than usual. This scandal of huge proportions has had devastating affects on Ireland’s reputation as a green and friendly food producing country. Tabloid newspapers ran headlines such as “Toxic Pork Alert” and “Hunt for the poison pork”. Short-term financial losses can be recouped but the damage that may have been done to Ireland’s reputation as a reliable and safe source of quality product could be more longlasting. It has taken decades to build the country’s reputation in the agrifood production business and we have benefited from an immensely impressive standing in the world community for the superior quality and excellence of Irish food products. Unfortunately, this latest scandal has unravelled years of work and investment. It will take time and even more investment to win back all of the export markets and market share. Irish pork is still banned from China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore,
The Dioxin contamination scare led to the total recall of Irish Pork Products
What are Dioxins? Dioxins are environmental contaminants, often present in environmental waste. Most dioxin exposure occurs through diet, with more than 95% coming from the consumption of animal fats. Longterm high-level exposure to dioxins may cause cancer. However short term exposure does not result in adverse health effects.
South Africa and Russia. These countries account for over 10% of Irish Pig meat exports. Irish Beef and Pig meat exports amounted to €1.57 billion and €368 million respectively in 2007, so they are of critical importance to the Irish Economy. Beef alone represents approx 18% of total Irish food exports. While serious economic losses resulted from the recall of all pork and pork products, the consequences could have been far more devastating if immediate measures were not taken to remove contaminated products from the shelves and reduce potential exposure to harmful dioxins and risks to consumer health. Traceability – 1 up, 1 down It is estimated that approximately 10% of pig meat from the Republic of Ireland was affected by contamination with dioxins. However, as all Irish pigs are slaughtered and processed in a small number of plants, it was impossible to distinguish between contaminated and non-contaminated product. This resulted in the immediate withdrawal of all pork products from the supply chain. Was this the right action? Could this have been done differently? Irish and European law requires all food and animal feed businesses to establish and implement a food traceability system. It is a legal requirement for businesses to trace one step forward and one step back. This means food business owners must know who supplied them and where or to whom their product has gone, however, there is no legal requirement for businesses to have traceability systems which trace raw materials through the factory and into finished product. GS1 has been at the forefront of product identification and traceability solutions for the past 30 years. By using the GS1 system a product recall for any reason can be a lot quicker, more accurate and much cheaper. Instead of a “knee jerk” reaction and withdrawing all products from the market place, the GS1 system allows you to uniquely identify the specific product, where it has been and where it went. GS1 Ireland, through its traceability committee, is continually working on new standards for traceability. To date, several case studies have been conducted in Ireland, notably our Beef traceability project in 2005 which tracked beef from point of slaughter to the retail outlet (Farm to Fork). A copy of this case study is available on our website www.gs1ie.org. We are currently working with BIM & IASC on a Fresh Fish Traceability project and work has also begun in the Irish Foodservice sector. For further information please contact Barry Spellman; barry.spellman@gs1ie.org.
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eGovernment – a compelling case for our time The recently published Forfas report on international best practices highlights the fact that at the outset of the eGovernment era Ireland was recognised as a leader in the area. Sadly, that did not continue and we now find ourselves at the other end of the league table. Meanwhile, other countries, in particular Sweden and Denmark, have been successfully implementing electronic invoicing. Furthermore, the results have been impressive with significant financial savings and ROI. This is not surprising as the business case for eCommerce has clearly been demonstrated by the savings and efficiencies achieved by the FMCG sector over the last 18 years. Our recent survey showed that the Irish grocery sector has close to 100% adoption of electronic invoicing based on GS1’s EANCOM message standards. Coupled with the GS1 XML message standards (compliant with UNECE XML) and the availability of low cost solutions, there has never been a better time to implement EDI. Following its pre-Budget 2008 submission to the Minister for Finance at the time Brian Cowen which resulted in cuts in the duty on credit, debit and ATM cards, GS1 again made a submission to the current Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan prior to last October’s Budget on improving competitiveness in Ireland’s economy through the implementation of electronic commerce. In its submission GS1 stated its belief that, given the current economic situation, Ireland needs to accelerate the use of eCommerce technologies in order to achieve efficiencies in the Public and Private Sectors. It recommended to the Minister that the following initiatives should be introduced in the Budget: 1.
That Government issues a Statement of Intent to achieve complete e-Invoicing across all State entities by 2010, in line with the Government’s commitment to meet the European Commission targets for eProcurement.
2.
That a pilot e-Invoicing project be established to demonstrate the potential benefits and ease of adoption of this already proven technology in use by the Irish retail grocery sector for more than 18 years.
3.
That Government sets out dates and strategies by which all State entities will be mandated to receive all invoices for goods and services in electronic format in order to meet the 2010 target, based on the experience and learnings from the aforementioned pilot project.
4.
That Government establishes an appropriate governance structure in all Departments and State entities in order to ensure compliance with the programme for electronic invoicing.
5.
That Government encourages electronic transactions throughout the economy by removing the remaining stamp duties on credit and debit cards with a corresponding increase in duties on cheques.
GS1 urged Government to signal its intent to position Ireland high on the international knowledge economy index and to encourage the rapid adoption of electronic commerce throughout the economy. The Forfas eGovernment International Best practices document places Ireland in 22nd place for on-line availability to businesses. The report emphasises the fact that eGovernment has the capability to achieve higher productivity in terms of reduced costs and more efficient administrative procedures. The document also highlights the particularly progressive approach by Denmark in terms of an eGovernment framework in terms of leadership, customer-centricity and technology. In the January 2008 Special Report no. 58 the Comptroller and Auditor states that eGovernment projects that cross organisational boundaries present opportunities for more efficient and effective delivery of government services. In concluding its submission, GS1, as a not for profit, neutral organisation, urged the Minister to consider the move to eCommerce as an opportunity for a dramatic step forward for the competitiveness of the Public Services and the Irish economy as a whole. GS1 Ireland stated its willingness to assist in such an important task and that it is available to manage a Proof of Concept pilot which will demonstrate the feasibility and cost/benefits of this technology. The potential benefits of eGovernment have been recognised for some time but perhaps it will take the current crisis to encourage the authorities to implement eCommerce.
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GS1 Ireland Solution Provider Accreditation – The GS1 ‘Seal of Approval’ Introduction: For a number of years the GS1 Ireland Solution Provider programme has helped solution providers stand out from the crowd through its online, and more recently, printed version of the Solution Provider directories. Now GS1 has launched an Accreditation programme to help interested solution providers to go that extra mile and obtain the GS1 Ireland ‘Seal of Approval’. GS1 Ireland Solution Provider Programme: In 2004 GS1 Ireland launched its Solution Provider programme for solution providers who provide products, services and/or solutions that are based on the GS1 System & Standards. The GS1 Ireland Solution Provider Programme is one of many schemes run by GS1 member organisations across the globe to forge better working relationships between our members, the users of the GS1 Standards, and Solution Providers. Membership of the GS1 Ireland Solution Provider Programme gives solution providers an exceptional range of benefits such as: 1. Access to the latest information, expert knowledge and support from GS1 2. Opportunity to participate in Seminars, Conferences and Pilot projects 3. Opportunity to advertise in the GS1 Ireland publication; The Global Standard (published 2 times per year) 4. Inclusion in both the hard and soft copies of the Solution Provider Directory which is accessed by over 4,500 decision makers per year 5. Multiple membership levels; Alliance, Gold, Platinum, one to suit all pockets and engagement levels. 6. The opportunity to seek Accreditation from GS1 Ireland
All of this means that membership of the Solution Provider Programme offers exceptional value for money while maximising each Solution Provider’s level of exposure to potential customers and markets. While GS1 Ireland is a neutral body and cannot prefer one solution provider over another, every new member is directed to the On-line Solution Provider Directory where they can source a provider to suit their needs. Accreditation: The GS1 Ireland Solution Provider Accreditation Programme was introduced in 2008 and piloted with our Platinum and Gold members. Codico Distributors and Atlas Products Ireland became the first two Solution Providers to be accredited.
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2009 will see this important programme being made available to solution providers at all membership levels. So why, in these times of cost cutting, should a solution provider consider Accreditation? In a nutshell, the answer to this question is Competitive Advantage. As competition intensifies solution providers will need something extra to make them stand out from the crowd. That something is GS1 Accreditation. So what is it and how does it work? The GS1 Ireland Solution Provider Accreditation Programme is a 2-year award that is available to all members of the GS1 Solution Provider Programme. The cost of Accreditation is included in the membership of both the Gold and Platinum levels. Alliance members can apply for Accreditation at an extra cost to their annual membership. The Accreditation Programme aims to: • Foster awareness and understanding of the GS1 standards within the GS1 System. • Achieve consistency in the implementation of the GS1 Standards by the members of GS1 Ireland. • Avoid product and project failures arising from failure to comply with the GS1 Standards. Applicants can seek accreditation in one of four areas: • Bar codes • eCommerce • Data Pool • RFID This enables solution providers to really focus on their core business and to be awarded the Accreditation for that. Benefits of Accreditation: • Enhances your competency, authority and credibility in the application of GS1 Standards. • Sets you apart from your competitors in the marketplace and give you top ranking profile in the GS1 Ireland Solution Provider Directories (both On-line and Hard Copy). • Use of the GS1 Ireland Accredited Solution Provider Certificate and Logo If you would like further information on becoming either a member of the Solution Provider Programme or an Accredited Solution Provider please contact Denis Coleman on (01) 2080672 or e-mail denis.coleman@gs1ie.org
Accreditation Award GS1 Ireland is delighted to announce that Codico Distributors Limited and Atlas Products Ireland have become the first solution providers to be awarded Accreditation. Both companies undertook staff training, provided case studies demonstrating their application of GS1 Standards, and were assessed by GS1 Ireland before being issued with the award. Codico Distributors Limited were accredited for their bar code solutions.. The company has been a very active member of the GS1 Solution Provider programme for a number of years. Commenting on the award Cliff Bond (MD, Codico Distributors) said “For Codico Distributors Ltd, being awarded the GS1 Bar code Accreditation award opens up a new world in the support of our customers and puts us in a position to assist any queries we receive on Bar coding, Data Matrix and DataBar. We know we will now be able to assist GS1 in their goal of bringing standards to all industry sectors on a global basis."
Atlas Products Ireland has been awarded Accreditation in the field of eCommerce. The company is one of the newer members of the Solution Provider programme as well as a new entrant into the Irish market. Commenting on the award Allan W Gray (MD, Atlas Products International) said “This award is gratefully received and is a wonderful recognition of Atlas’ efforts and belief in promoting and using GS1 standards for EDI in Ireland and worldwide. We are very privileged to work with the GS1 Ireland team who have helped and guided Atlas Ireland over the past two years.”
The presentation of the awards took place at the GS1 Ireland offices in January. ACCREDITED Solution Provider
Congratulations to
Pictured at the presentation of the awards are: Mr. Noel Cooney (Group Sales Director, Codico Distributors Limited) and Mr. Cliff Bond (MD, Codico Distributors Limited), Mr. Jim Bracken (CEO, GS1 Ireland), Mr Greg Magrane (Country Manager, Atlas Products Ireland) and Mr. Allan W. Gray (MD, Atlas Products International)
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EPCglobal - Enabling Unique Identification and Visibility EPC/RFID will help to transform your supply chain performance in the future, says President of EPCglobal Inc More than 50 Irish Business leaders attended the recent GS1 Ireland Breakfast Seminar/Master Class at The Royal College Of Physicians of Ireland in Dublin. The Master Class was given by Chris Adcock, President of EPCglobal Inc, the global organisation leading the drive to create common standards for the use of the Electronic Product Code (EPC) and which is part of GS1. EPCglobal’s mission is to take a global leadership role in developing and promoting multiindustry, user-driven standards for RFID-based identification. Opening the seminar, Jim Bracken, CEO of GS1 Ireland, highlighted the exciting developments taking place in the deployment of RFID technology throughout the world and stated that it wasn’t a question of ‘if RFID will become widely deployed in Ireland but rather when, why and where’. Chris Adcock opened his presentation with an overview of EPCglobal and its founding principles. To date, EPCglobal membership is 1,479 companies in 42 countries, spread
GS1 Spain presents revolutionary interactive shopping cart With the goal of improving efficiency within the supply chain and retail business, GS1 Spain presented for the first time in Spain the Grocer, an “intelligent” shopping cart developed with European funds. This radio frequency identification equipment, under the EPC standard, can provide the consumer with an authentic “shopping experience”. The cart is equipped with an RFID reader, an antenna and a touch-screen that allows the consumer to interact with the system sending and receiving information. Advantages for consumers and companies On one hand, the consumer can always know the exact price of the product that they have placed inside the 12 14
across 17 key industry activities. Chris explained why Global Standards are important – they reduce complexity and cost, they allow organisations to focus more on how to use the information rather than how to get information and having certified standards drives confidence.
Chris Adcock speaking at the Seminar
Chris highlighted the growing problem of counterfeit goods and how efforts to combat this can be greatly enhanced by leveraging the EPC standards. He also presented a number of case studies involving companies such as Wal-Mart, Metro, DHL, Lockheed Martin and Johnson and Johnson, in each case demonstrating how implementing EPCglobal standards delivered real benefits in inventory and stock management and a range of other business benefits. In conclusion, Chris stated that EPCglobal and GS1 standards are enabling a level of visibility not previously available and the practical reality will be the integration of multiple EPCglobal/GS1 standards across complex supply chains - “Its all about visibility. There are challenges but also a vast world of opportunity.”
cart, as well as, the total cost of the purchase, receive information about promotions, access to receipts and a list of the needed ingredients for a particular recipe, or just to find the fastest way inside the shop to the selected product. On the other hand, Grocer allows companies to offer more information and a much more customised service to the consumer, inventory optimisation, a more effective marketing strategy and increase consumer loyalty.
European Pallet Association finalised first phase of EPC/RFID Pilot Programme
German soap factory benefits from EPC/RFID PROZEUS, a not-for-profit initiative run by GS1 Germany and IW Consult and sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, is providing comprehensive information materials in order to educate decision-makers about e-business topics, and encourage them to take an active role in e-business implementation.
GS1 in Europe, a collaboration of 44 European GS1 member organisations, announced the successful completion of the first phase of the EPAL EPC/RFID Pilot Programme. The European Pallet Association has recognised significant opportunities to improve supply chain efficiency, asset visibility and security initiatives. More specifically, EPAL is looking at possibilities to improve the control of production and repair of EURO pallets, to authenticate individual pallets, to reduce the number of counterfeit pallets, to streamline the administration and information exchange of users in the pool as well as to open new possibilities in the supply chain management. There are currently over 500 Million wooden EURO pallets in circulation. Under the control and license of EPAL, more than 60 million new pallets are produced per year by more than 400 producers in 30 countries and there are over 1.000 repair centres worldwide. The parties interested in quality approved EURO pallets include producers, dealers, repairers, users, railways as well as transporters. The objective of the EPAL EPC/RFID Pilot Programme was to develop a business plan to clarify the integration of RFID tags in EPAL wooden pallets and specify a corresponding network as well as to reveal the necessary information about the technical and organisational implementation. All GS1 EPCglobal standards were involved including Gen2 tags, EPCIS and the ONS. The Pilot Programme started in July 2008 and was recently completed. “We are very satisfied with the results of the Pilot Programme. The EPC/RFID technology, the tag concept and the IT infrastructure have been approved and seen as a very good solution for EPAL. The second phase of the project will answer all the remaining questions and will help us to prepare a roll-out.” said Harry Jacobi, CEO of EPAL. The successful completion of the EPAL EPC/RFID Pilot Programme triggered the launch of a second phase and pre-roll out of the Programme in 2009.
Within the framework of this initiative, a consulting project started in January 2008 with ALGI, a mediumsized German enterprise which specialises in the production of cosmetic products, especially soaps, body lotions, shampoos and gift sets. The objective of the project is to get more visibility within the internal processes, starting at the point of goods receipt where all pallets get equipped and identified with EPC/RFID transponders before stocking them into the warehouse. ALGI's logistics systems are quite suitable for enabling paperless identification and documentation of incoming goods, providing process efficiency and visibility. Each single pallet can be clearly identified through the usage of EPC/RFID technology. Furthermore all yards in the warehouse were flagged with labels offering ALGI a quick and simple take out of goods by scanning the warehouse yards. In addition, all articles and products are getting specified with the classification standard eCl@ss. The benefit for ALGI describing products with the help of eCl@ss is to have standardised product descriptions helping them to get more clarity and reliability during the production process. “With the implementation of “EPC/RFID and the additional usage of eCl@ss, we are able to improve our internal process flow. All articles, vendor parts and own products can be easily identified and classified. That leads to an optimised internal material flow and communication process with external partners as well”, said Matthias Färber, CEO of ALGI Seifenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG. More information about PROZEUS can be obtained by contacting Tim Bartram at bartram@gs1-germany.de.
For more information, please visit http://www.gs1.eu/epal
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EPC / RFID in high fashion in Sweden
feel well-dressed without being dressed up," says Mats Tornard. We only get raw materials from the best suppliers and use small tailors who make jackets and shirts in small volumes. For example, Taracci's various styles of shirts are produced with a maximum of 20 items." In the downtown store there was previously a completely mechanical manual cash register without even a barcode reader. Traditional price tags were stuck on the clothes. RFID part of the image
Menswear store Taracci in the Forum Nacka shopping mall on the outskirts of Stockholm is the first retail outlet in Sweden to use RFID/EPC. Customers only need to put their bags of goods on the counter and payment is made in a moment. But the big advantage for the store is all the timeconsuming administrative work which disappears. The company's estimate is that their investment in RFID/EPC has a payback period of less than one year. When a customer is ready to pay for an item at Taracci and places it on the counter, it is automatically scanned by an RFID reader under the counter which can read RFID tags at a distance of up to two metres. A customer buying several items gets help from the staff to pack them in a bag. The assistant only needs to press a button on the cash register screen and all items are rung up and the customer can pay. Many customers are amazed, scratch their heads and ask "how did you do that?" "Our RFID system makes customer payments much faster than a regular cash register, but this is not the most important reason for our investment in RFID. The idea is to have everything under control in order to make the administrative work simpler and more efficient," says Mats Tornard, part-owner of Taracci. Small production volumes As well as the store in Forum Nacka, Taracci AB has a further three stores, one in downtown Stockholm and two in Brussels. The company has three owners: Feyo Taracci, Mats Tornard and Jens Fleischanderl, who runs the Forum Nacka store. Feyo Taracci is responsible for the collection. He has a background as a third-generation tailor. Production is mainly in Italy and Turkey. The company’s business concept is to offer customers high-quality at reasonable prices. "Our hope is that those who wear the clothes should 16
"When we planned the store in Forum Nacka, we had a choice of investing in a conventional checkout system or an RFID system. One reason we chose RFID is that we didn't just want to appear innovative without clothes, but in everything else, too." The store in Forum Nacka was opened on 23 October 2008, the same day as the shopping mall opened. Subsequently the RFID/EPC system has been installed in the downtown store. The company's contractor for RFID is RFID Constructors AB. "The checkout system itself is a standard product which has been modified to get information on article numbers and each item’s identity from the RFID reader," says Mats Tornard. Counts 2000 items in five minutes One of the big gains with an RFID solution is that an inventory can be taken simply and quickly and that's much more often than previously. This allows the store to rapidly solve various problems, for example update the stock balance. The risk of missing a sale because an item is out of stock is reduced. There are between 1500 and 2000 individual items in the store at any one time and these all have to be counted when doing an inventory. "Previously, in the downtown store, we counted everything manually and used pencil and paper for inventories. That way it would take a whole day to inventory this store. And there's a big risk of getting it wrong. Now an inventory takes five minutes at the most -- and the risk of error is minimal. We make a circuit of the store using a handheld computer with an RFID reader. We don't even need to see the items, they get scanned anyway. Weekly inventories "Our ambition is to take an iinventory every week. Previously we did it once a year, which is the legal minimum." By installing RFID readers in all the shelves it would be possible to automatically take an inventory of the whole store. "But we won't be doing that in these tiny premises of 70 m2. Here our
handheld computer works just fine." The RFID/EPC system also greatly improves the management of deliveries. Reduced tied-up capital "The stock level in the store can be reduced, which saves a good deal. The stock value in the store is between SEK 400,000 and 800,000, depending on the season. We reckoned to be able to reduce tied up capital by at least 20%. Over time we can get it down even further." The company hopes to set up a separate central warehouse for all stores. Currently, stock is held at the downtown store. "We can pack a consignment and quickly scan it. This checks that it is correct. If it isn't, we can quickly fix it. It's easy to reconcile what we send with what we stand at the receiving store. "It’s also easy to send an item downtown from this store if it is needed. To make a delivery with just a single press of a button we put the item in a box and scan it with a handheld computer. The stock balance in the store is then updated. The RFID system saves us time and money at every stage." When a carton of new items arrives at the store the contents can be scanned without even opening the box. Previously every item had to be taken out of the box and counted by style, size and colour.
fitting room could gather statistics on which items customers try on and which they buy. Maybe they try on some which they don't buy. We also find out which clothes never make it to the fitting room. This helps us create a collection which is even more appreciated by our customers. Helps expansion One factor for the investment in RFID was the company's plans to continue expanding. "We hope to be able to continue opening new stores. Our intention is that all new stores will use the RFID system. This store will be the model for all our new stores so we won't have to reinvent the wheel. We use GS1 standards to make sure that we don't get locked into a home-made solution." Mats Tornard thinks that it is exciting to be a pioneer with RFID/EPC. "Now we are tuning the system and handling the challenges that pop up. The RFID/EPC solution has such enormous potential. It will help us in many ways that we haven't even thought of yet. We will be well in the lead when our competitors start using the technology -- but I guess it won't be too long," says Mats Tornard.
Surveillance thrown in The RFID system also works as a theft alarm. "We are also installing an alarm which automatically checks if the item has been paid for. If it hasn't, the alarm sounds. Since we don't need to install a conventional surveillance system, we save a lot of money." The company estimates that its RFID/EPC investment has a payback period of less than one year. "Of course, RFID is more expensive than a traditional checkout system, but the difference is not that dramatic. The advantages of RFID mean that the technology is well worth the extra cost. Tags only cost a few crowns each. As more companies start to use them they'll become even cheaper." There are plans to extend the use of the RFID/EPC system in several ways. One example is to give the customer detailed information in the fitting room by installing an RFID reader behind the mirror which has an integrated display. "When the customer stands in front of the mirror and tries on a shirt the display will automatically show where it was made, what it's made of, what other colours are available, similar styles, and so on." This sort of functionality can also be used to analyse customer behaviour and choices. "An RFID reader in the 17
Professional Services from GS1 Ireland Discover your Supply Chain’s Potential For over 30 years the GS1 organisation has been developing new services and standards that have given member companies greater visibility and control over their supply chains. In 2009, GS1 Ireland announces a new service which is specifically designed to assist members to achieve even greater financial benefits through significant improvements in their operational efficiency. It is still the case that many companies who have joined GS1 Ireland over the years have not extended their use of the GS1 System to improve their internal processes. Consequently, they have not realised the additional benefits in terms of cost savings and improved service to their customers. It is rather like a person buying a top of the range camera and using it as a ‘point and shoot’ product without ever taking the time to discover all of the other functionality that it can provide. Recent incidents have demonstrated the lack of knowledge that exists within organisations in relation to the correct use of the GS1 system. The total product recall of Irish Pork products in November 2008 was the result of an inability to easily track the affected products (a mere 56% of the total product on the market at that time). This incident followed an earlier issue involving pork ingredients used in the food service sector. Last year also two entirely different medicines were found to have the same bar code number, which could have caused serious harm to patients. Furthermore in the present economic environment improvements in competitiveness are critical for the survival of every business. Cost reduction and greater efficiency is possible through the deployment of GS1 standards based solutions. As the independent body responsible for the development and implementation of Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) and traceability standards GS1 Ireland is launching its new Professional Services offering in order to help Irish companies address such issues. 18
GS1 Ireland Professional Services • Business Consulting: Our Professional Services Team will undertake a thorough analysis of your current data, systems and processes. • Solution Consulting: Whatever your requirements, we will offer the most effective solutions based on GS1 Open Global standards. Our areas of expertise include: Product, people and location identification Improve Data Accuracy Supply Chain Visibility Product Tracking Inventory Management • Standards Compliance: We will ensure that best practices are in place and that all technical solutions deployed are compliant with GS1 global standards. • Project Management: We will take a leading role in the project and implement any system or technology needed. Engaging directly with your suppliers we can ensure that their systems are compliant with our standards, provide them with bespoke training, and/or implementation assistance. • Training: We offer tailor-made training courses to meet your specific needs. Our courses can also be delivered on-site at your premises. • Bar code Verification: Retailers are increasingly intolerant of products that cause scanning errors. Our Bar Code Verification service saves you time, money and helps you build a stronger, more profitable relationship with your trading partners. This service can be delivered on-site at your premises.
Benefits of the New Service: • Protecting and future-proofing your investment by removing the limitations of closed, proprietary systems and solutions • Ensuring interoperability and system-to-system interaction with your trading partners
• Removal of cost from supply chain operations • Better Logistics management and increased productivity • Improved traceability in compliance with legislation
• Effective solutions based on global best practices • Improved relationships with trading partners • Increase visibility across the Supply Chain • Faster order to cash cycle • Greater inventory control
GS1 Ireland Discovery There are two packages available to help companies identify and address supply chain issues. GS1 Ireland Professional Services uses a methodology called Discovery.
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Discovery LITE. Find out what your business could gain from the implementation of the GS1 system. Discovery Lite offers a fast, simple, and affordable solution. Short survey type service – “health check of current processes” Typically 1-2 days
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Full Discovery. Full Discovery identifies and maps your current processes based on your supply chain objectives, provides recommendations and presents a manageable plan to ensure the GS1 system will work effectively for your business. Detailed survey and analysis of current situation Typically 15 days Full project management
Both of the Discovery processes will generate a business case based on 4 key areas: 1. Data 2. Processes 3. Resources 4. Technology Using these headings the professional services team will be able to conduct their assessment of the current processes and carry out a GAP analysis. Depending on the package selected, they will then either generate a report (Discovery LITE) or develop a plan to address the issues (Full Discovery)
Further information: If you would like further information about GS1 Professional Services please contact the GS1 Ireland Professional Services Team on +353 1 208 0660. 19
GS1 Mobile Com Group recommends barcodes for mobile applications to promote early development, piloting and standardisation This position paper aims to give manufacturers, retailers and other existing users of the GS1 system guidance on what barcodes they should consider for mobile phone applications. Because of the multitude of possible barcode formats available, many of them proprietary, the GS1 Mobile Com group recommends using only barcodes that meet the following criteria: • Approved by ISO and therefore public domain status declared • Approved by GS1 • Open standards (royalty free use, no patent exercised) • Proven implementation (mobile or non-mobile) • Can be read by a consumer-available mobile device GS1 recommendations As a consequence, the GS1 Mobile Com group recommends using only the following barcodes: • GS1 EAN/UPC. The 1D barcode used on all millions of consumer products worldwide. • GS1 DataMatrix. 2D barcode currently implemented in numerous sectors including automotive and healthcare direct part marking. • Quick Response (QR) code. 2D barcode well-known in Japan and East Asia for mobile applications. Currently, QR code is not a GS1 standard. However since the GS1 carrier policy change in May 2008, it can be submitted to GS1 for approval.
A typical EAN-13 barcode
A typical GS1 DataMatrix barcode
A typical QR Code
The GS1 Mobile Com group also recommends that these barcodes support both GS1 identification keys (unique numbers to identify products, locations and more) and GS1 application identifiers to ensure backward and forward compatibility with other barcode application requirements. Future perspectives For the future, the GS1 Mobile Com group is working for GS1 DataBar (a higher capacity 1D barcode to be adopted by 1 January 2010) and Electronic Product Code (EPC) compliant Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to be read by consumer-available mobile devices. The GS1 Mobile 20
Com group has established a sub-group to work on a clear position relative to Near Field Communication (NFC). Goal of this recommendation The goal of this recommendation is to help companies innovate and test new applications for mobile commerce. Simplifying the options available to companies will stimulate growth in this area and clear a path towards more cost-effective mobile applications. Beyond the short-term, companies will be able to built interoperable and scalable systems and ensure consistent consumer experience across devices and markets. This position paper does not replace the GS1 standardisation process and the GS1 Mobile Com group is actively moving forward standardisation in this area. Questions / comments / reactions? Contact Joe Horwood at joe.horwood@gs1.org. About GS1 Mobile Com GS1 Mobile Com is an industry-wide initiative to enable businesses to give consumers access to product information via their mobile phones. The objective is to provide a simple way for consumers and businesses to interact based on an open infrastructure and open standards. GS1 Mobile Com White Paper Published in February 2008, “Mobile Commerce – opportunities and challenges” is a White Paper than seeks to demonstrate the reality of mobile
commerce for businesses and consumers alike and the need for GS1 to contribute in a neutral way to establish relevant global standards for the benefit of all stakeholders. It covers the following areas: • Mobile Commerce Overview: why mobile is changing the way business happens • Business Applications: what use cases are possible with GS1 standards and how • Technical Environment: building blocks for mobile commerce The White Paper is available for download from www.gs1.org/mobile/. Extended Packaging The main project of GS1 Mobile Com for 2008 – 2009 is Extended Packaging -allowing consumers access additional information about products through their mobile phone. Extended Packaging was chosen from the six main business applications presented in the White Paper as being the simplest, most fundamental use case on which other applications (such as Mobile Couponing) can be built. The workgroup aims a piloting framework and guidelines on how to implement Extended Packaging. GS1 Mobile Com Group Aside from Extended Packaging, the Mobile Com group is working on the following activities: • ID & Data Carrier: GS1 standards are used for mobile enabled 1D and 2D barcodes and for RFID • Handsets/Operators: All handsets worldwide read GS1 barcodes and EPCglobal RFID tags • Information Pools / Providers / Hubs / Messaging: GS1 Data Pools and messaging standards are leveraged to the maximum for product information • In-store / Point-of-sale (POS): In-store services and POS systems are able to read GS1 barcodes and EPCglobal RFID tags from mobile phones • Payment: Mobile payment providers are aware that GS1 standards exist and can be used • Consumer behaviour: Get consumer insight to group • PR / external communication / education: Communicate effectively about activities of group Find out more and get involved! If you would like more information or to join the current GS1 Mobile Com Group, go to http://www.gs1.org/mobile/.
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New Members GS1 Ireland would like to welcome the following as New Members of the organisation Abbey Oils Solutions Advanced Eco Fire Ireland Ltd Aerogen Ltd Agri Bio Fuel Ireland Ltd Albert Peppers Ltd All Products Ltd All Things nice Ltd Bag Passport Bagaholics Ballymaguire Foods Ltd Beirnes Bins Elphin Ltd Brilliant Gifts Ltd Butler Technologies Champion Hurleys Ltd CJ Sheeran Limited Cup cakes home baking Dairyland Carlow Dalcassian Wines & Spirits Ltd Dartrey Spring Davitt Food Distributors Ltd Devaneys Dinners DF Sports and Leisure Ltd Dia Duit Cards Drumeel Farm DSG Packaging Ltd East Coast Supplies Ltd Elephant Brands International Ltd ElfoTec Technology Ltd Euro Deli Ireland Ltd Food Surplus Management ltd ForeCourt Supplies Ltd Garrymore Farm ltd Gerry Donohue Wholesale Gift and Home GolfBuddy Europe Ltd Green Energy Recycling Ltd Green Safron Spices Ltd 22
Griffins Potatoes Haribo Ireland Ltd IQ Brands Ltd Irish Breeze Limited Irish Casing Company Ltd J E O'Brien & Sons J.O.D food Products Kavanagh Meats Ltd Kerins Foods King Puck Ltd Kit 4 Kitchen Leopards Leap Wines Pty Ltd Liam Carroll Group Libe're' records Lorcan O'Brien Lynn Publications M & M Walshe Ltd M.Morgan & Sons Marine Harvest Ireland MicroWarehouse Ltd Midland Bandages Ltd Midland Geeting Cards Ltd Milky Dream Farmhouse Ice-Cream Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Mitchells Golf Ltd Monument HSE Mallow Ltd Munster Mushrooms Noel Recruitment Obego Ltd O'Herlihys Bacon Ltd Oilean Glas Teo Organic Tea Leaf Ltd Organic Worx Ltd P.P.C (Galway)Ltd Patisserie Regale PDMR Ltd Ponaire Ltd
Posh Nosh Catering Co Ltd Progressive Surgical Reflex IS Romarox Limited Rossmore Farmhouse IceCream Ryans Arbutus breads Ltd Salon Trichology SCAR Records Ltd Sentinel Fuel Products Skeaghanore West Cork Duck Slowey Systems Smart Transfer Ltd Snap Printing Fairview South Tipperary General Hospital Stephen Reid Distribution Swallow Foods International Ltd Swan Fruit Ltd Technisport The City Bin Co Ltd The Logic Group Enterprises Ltd Timothy Lavin Titetug Ltd Tom Ward Tony Butler Meats Tony Kieran Ltd Truly Irish Country Foods Ltd Uppercross Enterprises Ltd USCI Ireland Veg-e-Que Venice Jewellery VK Distribution Ltd Waste Recovery Services ( Fermoy) Wincor Nixdorf Ireland Ltd World Beers Ltd Wrights of Marino Manufacturing Ltd XM Solutions Yum Catering Ltd
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