EAN International and UCC Announce Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN)

Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) Begins Operation

Major Milestones Achieved in Worldwide Effort to Improve Data Accuracy and Facilitate Efficient Collaborative Commerce

Brussels, Belgium / Lawrenceville, NJ, USA. August 05, 2004.

EAN International and the Uniform Code Council, Inc., (UCC), leaders in facilitating efficient international business, today announced the launch of the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN). The GDSN, conceived and supported by EAN International, the UCC, and leading companies and industry groups worldwide, is a global, Internet-based initiative that will enable trading partners to quickly and efficiently exchange supply chain data that is accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with universally supported EAN.UCC System standards.

The GDSN was developed in partnership with the global business community to address the high costs associated with inaccurate data. The GDSN vision, conceived by the Global Commerce Initiative (GCI), is based on a centralized, global registry that connects to numerous data pools around the world, enabling data to be standardized and synchronized for trading partners on a near-real-time basis. In order to ensure the GDSN meets the business needs of the user community, EAN International and the UCC established a GDSN Oversight Committee as the foundation of its governance structure. The Oversight Committee, which currently includes seventeen senior executives from manufacturing, retailing, and EAN Member Organizations, has been appointed to govern the GDSN, promote global adoption, and address strategic issues related to the rollout of the GDSN.

Throughout 2004, EAN International, the UCC, and global participants have been working together to prove the viability of the network concept through rigorous testing and communication pilot trials. With this phase completed, the GDSN has achieved several important milestones that will bring data registration and synchronization services to the next level of global interoperability and availability.

On August 1st [2004], the global registry functionality required for the creation of a global network was put into production under the jurisdiction of EAN International. This registry, to be called the GS1 Global Registry (in anticipation of the EAN/UCC January 1, 2005 name change to 'GS1'), will be operated as a distinct and separate neutral entity by EAN International. The GS1 Global Registry will serve as a global gateway for companies to locate source (manufacturer) or recipient (retailer) data pools, which contain item and party information.

In addition to the establishment of the Registry, a GDSN Data Pool beta test was conducted to ensure that participating data pools were interoperable with each other and the GS1 Global Registry. The data pool approval process, supervised by the GDSN Oversight Committee, was conducted by the Drummond Group Inc. (DGI), a leading interoperability and conformance testing company. For a data pool to be successful in the beta test round, they had to demonstrate interoperability with at least two other data pools and the GS1 Global Registry.

The initial group of companies that has successfully completed the beta pilot includes: bTrade, Inc., CABASnet, Global eXchange Services (GXS), Sterling Commerce, Transora, UCCnet, and WorldWide Retail Exchange (WWRE). Complete interoperability certification testing will be required starting in October 2004 to enable further expansion of the global network.

Commenting on the progress made on this phase of the GDSN launch, Miguel Lopera, the Chief Executive Officer of EAN International and the Uniform Code Council said, "The costs of inaccurate data are enormous, and this problem impacts companies of every size and industry. We will continue to work with the business community to enhance and expand the Global Data Synchronization Network. This is a major step in our global effort to make end-to-end supply chain data accuracy a reality. It is an initiative that will produce tremendous value and benefits to manufacturers, retailers, and consumers around the world."

Trading partners wishing to participate in the GDSN may obtain further information by contacting the EAN Member Organization in the country in which their company is headquartered.

About EAN International

EAN International is the global not-for-profit organisation that creates, develops and manages the EAN-UCC standards jointly with the Uniform Code Council, one of its Member Organisations. These are open, global, multisectoral information standards, based on best business practices. By driving their implementation, EAN International and its Member Organisations play a leading role in supply and demand chain management improvement worldwide.

About the Uniform Code Council

The Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development and implementation of standards-based, global supply chain solutions. Under its auspices, the UCC operates three subsidiaries, UCCnet, RosettaNet, and EPCglobal US and it co-manages the global EAN-UCC System with EAN International. The UCC also manages the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC) for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The newly formed EPCglobal, Inc. is a joint venture of the Uniform Code Council and EAN International. UCC-based solutions, including business processes, XML standards, EDI transaction sets, and the bar code identification standards of the EAN-UCC System are currently used by more than one million member companies worldwide. For more information about the Uniform Code Council, please visit: www.uc-council.org.

Contact

Graham Avory
EAN International
Tel: +32 2 227 10 20
Email: [email protected]

Jack Grasso
Uniform Code Council
Tel: +1 609-620-4555
Email: [email protected]

[Source: http://www.uccnet.org/PressRoom/pr_detailNew.cfm?release_id=148]

References

Prepared by Robin Cover for The XML Cover Pages archive.

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The GDSN, conceived and supported by EAN International, the UCC, and leading companies and industry groups worldwide, is a global, Internet-based initiative that will enable trading partners to quickly and efficiently exchange supply chain data that is accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with universally supported EAN.UCC System standards. The GDSN was developed in partnership with the global business community to address the high costs associated with inaccurate data. The GDSN vision, conceived by the Global Commerce Initiative (GCI), is based on a centralized, global registry that connects to numerous data pools around the world, enabling data to be standardized and synchronized for trading partners on a near-real-time basis. In order to ensure the GDSN meets the business needs of the user community, EAN International and the UCC established a GDSN Oversight Committee as the foundation of its governance structure. The Oversight Committee, which currently includes seventeen senior executives from manufacturing, retailing, and EAN Member Organizations, has been appointed to govern the GDSN, promote global adoption, and address strategic issues related to the rollout of the GDSN. Throughout 2004, EAN International, the UCC, and global participants have been working together to prove the viability of the network concept through rigorous testing and communication pilot trials. With this phase completed, the GDSN has achieved several important milestones that will bring data registration and synchronization services to the next level of global interoperability and availability. On August 1st [2004], the global registry functionality required for the creation of a global network was put into production under the jurisdiction of EAN International. This registry, to be called the GS1 Global Registry (in anticipation of the EAN/UCC January 1, 2005 name change to 'GS1'), will be operated as a distinct and separate neutral entity by EAN International. The GS1 Global Registry will serve as a global gateway for companies to locate source (manufacturer) or recipient (retailer) data pools, which contain item and party information. In addition to the establishment of the Registry, a GDSN Data Pool beta test was conducted to ensure that participating data pools were interoperable with each other and the GS1 Global Registry. The data pool approval process, supervised by the GDSN Oversight Committee, was conducted by the Drummond Group Inc. (DGI), a leading interoperability and conformance testing company. For a data pool to be successful in the beta test round, they had to demonstrate interoperability with at least two other data pools and the GS1 Global Registry. The initial group of companies that has successfully completed the beta pilot includes: bTrade, Inc., CABASnet, Global eXchange Services (GXS), Sterling Commerce, Transora, UCCnet, and WorldWide Retail Exchange (WWRE). Complete interoperability certification testing will be required starting in October 2004 to enable further expansion of the global network. Commenting on the progress made on this phase of the GDSN launch, Miguel Lopera, the Chief Executive Officer of EAN International and the Uniform Code Council said, "The costs of inaccurate data are enormous, and this problem impacts companies of every size and industry. We will continue to work with the business community to enhance and expand the Global Data Synchronization Network. This is a major step in our global effort to make end-to-end supply chain data accuracy a reality. It is an initiative that will produce tremendous value and benefits to manufacturers, retailers, and consumers around the world." Trading partners wishing to participate in the GDSN may obtain further information by contacting the EAN Member Organization in the country in which their company is headquartered. About EAN International EAN International is the global not-for-profit organisation that creates, develops and manages the EAN-UCC standards jointly with the Uniform Code Council, one of its Member Organisations. These are open, global, multisectoral information standards, based on best business practices. By driving their implementation, EAN International and its Member Organisations play a leading role in supply and demand chain management improvement worldwide. About the Uniform Code Council The Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development and implementation of standards-based, global supply chain solutions. Under its auspices, the UCC operates three subsidiaries, UCCnet, RosettaNet, and EPCglobal US and it co-manages the global EAN-UCC System with EAN International. The UCC also manages the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC) for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The newly formed EPCglobal, Inc. is a joint venture of the Uniform Code Council and EAN International. UCC-based solutions, including business processes, XML standards, EDI transaction sets, and the bar code identification standards of the EAN-UCC System are currently used by more than one million member companies worldwide. For more information about the Uniform Code Council, please visit: www.uc-council.org. Contact Graham Avory EAN International Tel: +32 2 227 10 20 Email: [email protected] Jack Grasso Uniform Code Council Tel: +1 609-620-4555 Email: [email protected] [Source: http://www.uccnet.org/PressRoom/pr_detailNew.cfm?release_id=148] References GDSN Press Room at UCCNet GDSN FAQ document EAN.UCC Global Data Dictionary (GDD) Uniform Code Council (UCC) XML Program Prepared by Robin Cover for The XML Cover Pages archive.