GS1net Data Synchronisation for Hardware
The Hardware GS1 Action Group (HGAG) would like to announce the launch of a new initiative for the retail hardware sector that is designed to provide timely and accurate product information and assist in delivering significant efficiency gains to retailers and suppliers alike. This new initiative is GS1net, an electronic product data synchronisation tool. Designed as a whole-of-industry registry for all products sold in the Australian and New Zealand hardware sector, GS1net will become the preferred source of item master data for hardware retailers seeking to purchase goods from suppliers. The objective of GS1net is to ensure better overall data integrity throughout the industry sector. The ability to store and share accurate, complete and up-to-date data on hardware products between suppliers and their trading partners is a critical, foundational component within the hardware sector. Without accurate product information, the full benefits to be gained by implementing integrated Business to Business processes will not be possible. The HGAG has worked closely with GS1 Australia and GS1 New Zealand to ensure the hardware sector’s data requirements are incorporated into GS1net. GS1net is a data synchronisation service offered by GS1 Australia and GS1 New Zealand. In simple terms GS1net is a database of product specifications hosted by GS1 Australia and GS1 New Zealand on behalf of its members. Electronic Data Synchronisation via GS1net has been used within the Grocery sector for a number of years, with the number of industry sectors using GS1net increasing to include Health, Automotive Aftermarket, Liquor and now Hardware.
Why accurate product data is important in Hardware
Why GS1net makes a difference
In hardware, like every industry, suppliers need to share product information with their trading partners to ensure the supply chain operates effectively and that their products reach consumers. Data recipients require product information from their suppliers to drive areas of their business such as new product introductions, warehousing, distribution and point-ofsale systems. A recent survey on the impact of bad data on profits and consumer service in the UK grocery industry, conducted by GS1 UK, found that inconsistencies in data between suppliers and retailers would result in at least £700m cost to the industry and a further £300m in lost revenues. Use of the GS1net system to ensure accurate product data will also enable: 1. Clear identification of product packaging hierarchies and pack contents e.g. number of units in a pack 2. O rders received against the correct level in the product packaging hierarchy 3. I ncreased picking accuracy due to less confusion of what was really ordered 4. A reduction in the misidentification of hardware items 5. R educed catalogue and data management costs across the sector 6. E fficient identification and replacement of flawed, out-of-date or missing stock
Sharing of hardware product information between trading partners currently is mainly through excel spreadsheets, emails, faxes and telephone calls. The information provided is often inconsistent in content, format and detail requiring significant additional work by data recipients to ensure standardisation of their data in their own systems. This has proved costly, error prone and inefficient. By using GS1net, suppliers and retailers can share their product and pricing information with their trading partners both in a secure environment in Australia, New Zealand and around the world, via a single common mechanism. To make sure everyone is speaking the same “language”, information in GS1net is based on consistent global standards.
Participating in the GS1net initiative There are four steps for suppliers to provide data to their trading partners via the GS1net: 1. F or Australian organisations ensure you are a member of GS1 Australia. Information about membership and the benefits is available at www.gs1au.org. For New Zealand organisations do the same in respect to GS1 NZ membership. See www.gs1nz.org for details. 2. C ontact your Trading Partners to find out their readiness to engage with you 3. R egister for GS1net. NOTE: GS1 membership is a prerequisite for registration with GS1net. For more information in Australia refer to www.gs1au.org/services/gs1net. In New Zealand refer to www.gs1nz.org/gs1net.php 4. B ecome GS1net Ready. This involves understanding the GS1net data requirements, gathering and validating your product data, loading this to GS1net and publishing it to your trading partners. Information about the GS1net Ready process is available in the GS1net User Guide located at:
7. A foundation for swift product recalls and precise product tracking 8. Increased speed to market for new products 9. A foundation for eMessaging initiatives 10. Better inventory management, decreasing ‘out-of-stocks’ with less capital tied up in safety stocks 11. A reduction in order and invoice error rates, invoice claims, and out-of-stocks 12. The ability for staff to be deployed for work on higher value tasks rather than basic data maintenance and order/invoice query resolution
www.gs1au.org/services/gs1net/industry/GS1net/user_guides.asp.
Achieving GS1net Ready status is important, however once the appropriate information is loaded, keeping it up to date is critical. For further information regarding GS1net in the Hardware sector or for assistance in loading your product information please contact the GS1net team in Australia on 1300 366 033 or via email gs1net@gs1au.org or in New Zealand on 0800 102 356 or via email gs1net@gs1nz.org
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