Network Services and Their Distributors Data Synchronization Initiative Frequently Asked Questions for Suppliers

Transcription

1 Netwrk Services and Their Distributrs Data Synchrnizatin Initiative Frequently Asked Questins fr Suppliers June 2012 Cpyright All Rights Reserved.

2 FAQs fr Netwrk Services Suppliers REVISION HISTORY Date Ver # Descriptin f Change Authr 06/13/ Initial creatin f dcument C. Miklusak TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 3 NETWORK SERVICES AND THEIR DISTRIBUTORS... 3 GENERAL DATA SYNCHRONIZATION QUESTIONS... 4 NETWORK SERVICES AND THEIR DISTRIBUTORS DATA SYNCHRONIZATION INITIATIVE... 7 General Netwrk Services Questins... 7 Data Pls and Slutin Partners... 7 PUBLISHING DATA TO NETWORK SERVICES May Cpyright All Rights Reserved.

3 FAQs fr Netwrk Services Suppliers INTRODUCTION This dcument is a cmpilatin f questins, and their assciated answers, relative t Netwrk Services and their distributrs data synchrnizatin initiative. It pertains t all suppliers that want t synchrnize data with Netwrk Services and/r their distributrs. NETWORK SERVICES AND THEIR DISTRIBUTORS Q: Wh is Netwrk Services? Netwrk Services Cmpany (NETWORK ), the leading glbal integrated distributin slutin fr janitrial and sanitatin supplies, fdservice packaging and dispsables, industrial packaging, and cmmercial printing papers, has undertaken the prject t begin synchrnizing their prducts with their suppliers in rder t attain GS1 cmpliance as well as gain efficiencies within their cmpany. This dcument prvides the prcess and methds t be used by Netwrk and its suppliers in achieving this gal. Netwrk Services has several distributrs that are participating in GDSN that data surces can published t individually in additin t Netwrk Services. These participating distributrs are: Cmpany EBP Supply Slutins PJP Regal Acme Kranz Waxie HP Prducts GLN Q: Why shuld I publish and synchrnize data with Netwrk Services and their distributrs? A: Netwrk Services and their distributrs recgnize the need t access mre cmplete and accurate data thrugh the 1SYNC/SpecPage partnership s that it cntinues t prvide its custmers with the mst rbust, up-t-date, prduct infrmatin available, and drive inefficiencies and related csts ut f their wn peratins. In additin, because the data standards and glbal data synchrnizatin prcess adheres t vluntary standards recmmended by Fdservice GS1 US Standards Initiative, Netwrk Services and their distributrs reduce the burden and related csts n its suppliers t prvide data in varying frmats t their custmers. 09-May Cpyright All Rights Reserved.

4 FAQs fr Netwrk Services Suppliers Netwrk Services and their distributrs have cmpleted the GDS implementatin and are ready t receive cmplete and accurate electrnic prduct data frm ur suppliers thrugh 1SYNC s data pl via their custmized SpecPage prduct catalg. GENERAL DATA SYNCHRONIZATION QUESTIONS Q: What is Data Synchrnizatin? A: Data synchrnizatin is the electrnic transfer f standardized prduct and lcatin infrmatin between trading partners and the cntinuus synchrnizatin f that data ver time. When this data is exchanged via a central glbal repsitry - GS1 Glbal Registry, it is referred t as Glbal Data Synchrnizatin. Prduct infrmatin includes: Item attributes cntrlled by the supplier, e.g., Glbal Trade Item Number (GTIN), Size, Weight, Height, Brand, UPC cde Lcatin infrmatin includes: Glbal Lcatin Number (GLN) Lcatins invlved in trade such as cmpany headquarters, billing departments, and ship-t addresses Q: What is the Glbal Data Synchrnizatin Netwrk (GDSN )? A: The GDSN is an autmated, standards-based glbal envirnment that enables secure and cntinuus data synchrnizatin. This allws all trading partners t have cnsistent item data in their systems at the same time, ensuring that all parties in the supply chain are wrking with the same data. The GDSN helps t save time and mney fr all rganizatins by eliminating steps t crrect inaccurate data. A: The GDSN enables the GS1 Glbal Registry and a netwrk f interperable, certified data pls that enable data synchrnizatin per GS1 System standards. Q: What are the benefits f synchrnizing data thrugh the GDSN? A: There are several benefits, including: Allws real-time item maintenance fr specific fields Prvides accurate, standards based, synchrnized data that reduces inefficiencies in the supply chain Ensures dimensins are crrect and stred at the each, case, warehuse pack, and pallet levels Q: What is a data pl? What is a GDSN-certified data pl? 09-May Cpyright All Rights Reserved.

5 FAQs fr Netwrk Services Suppliers A: An entity that prvides its custmers data synchrnizatin services and a single pint f entry t the Glbal Data Synchrnizatin Netwrk (GDSN) is called a data pl. A: Data pls must be certified per GS1 System standards t perate within the GDSN. Data pls interperate with the GS1 Glbal Registry and each ther. Example: 1SYNC Data Pl. Q: Where can I find a list f GDSN-certified data pls? A: The GS1 website has a list f GDSN-certified data pls with cntact infrmatin. Yu can find the list here Q: What is a cmpany prefix? A: A cmpany prefix is a glbally unique number assigned t cmpanies by GS1 Member Organizatins (GS1 US in the United States) t create the identificatin numbers f the GS1 System. It is cmprised f a GS1 Prefix and a Cmpany Number. Q: What is a GLN? A: GLN is an acrnym fr Glbal Lcatin Number and refers t the glbally unique GS1 System identificatin number fr legal entities, functinal entities, and physical lcatins. A GLN is cmprised f 13 digits that tgether represent a GS1 Cmpany Prefix, Lcatin Reference, and check digit. Supply side trading partner lcatins generally include crprate headquarters, reginal ffices, warehuses, plants, and distributin centers. Demand side trading partner lcatins generally include crprate headquarters, divisinal ffices, stres, and distributin centers. Q: What is a GTIN? A: GTIN is an acrnym fr Glbal Trade Item Number and refers t the glbally unique GS1 System identificatin number fr prducts and services. A GTIN may be 8, 12, 13, r 14 digits in length, represented as GTIN-8, GTIN-12, GTIN-13, and GTIN-14, respectively. Q: Is data synchrnizatin an Infrmatin Technlgy (IT) functin? Des it require IT resurces? A: Data Synchrnizatin is a business prcess that uses technlgy in its implementatin. Fr a successful implementatin, it is recmmended t have executive spnsrship and technlgy resurces allcated t this prgram. Q: Is data synchrnizatin just anther term fr EDI? A: N. EDI is used in the transmissin f many e-business transactins, whereas data synchrnizatin is the electrnic transmissin f standardized prduct and lcatin infrmatin. Q: What is the Glbal Prduct Classificatin (GPC) cde? 09-May Cpyright All Rights Reserved.

6 FAQs fr Netwrk Services Suppliers A: A GPC cde is an 8-digit number that represents a classificatin f prducts. It is a flat classificatin system based n attributes and values. Glbal Prduct Classificatin is a required element f the glbal data based n attributes, and values and is a required element f the GDSN. Nte: If yu need a list f GPC cdes cntact yur data pl (e.g. 1SYNC). T request a GPC cde t be added t standards, wrk with yur data pl (e.g. 1SYNC) r yur Slutin Partner t submit a change request. 09-May Cpyright All Rights Reserved.

7 FAQs fr Netwrk Services Suppliers Q: Hw d I knw if I need t assign a new Universal Prduct Cde (UPC) when I make changes t an existing prduct? A: Fllw the GS1 Standards GTIN Allcatin Rules. Fr example, if the cnsumer net cntent changes, then a new UPC must be assigned. Fr mre infrmatin n GTIN Allcatin Rules visit Cntact yur data pl fr mre infrmatin. NETWORK SERVICES AND THEIR DISTRIBUTORS DATA SYNCHRONIZATION INITIATIVE General Netwrk Services Questins Q: Why is Netwrk Services and their distributrs implementing data synchrnizatin? A: Netwrk Services and its distributrs are implementing data synchrnizatin t streamline their prcesses, fcusing n imprving supply chain efficiencies fr Netwrk Services and its trading partners. Netwrk Services and their distributrs believe data synchrnizatin prvides tangible benefits fr retailers and suppliers such as: Reduced hand keying fr creatin f items Enabling real time updates fr item maintenance Increasing the efficiency f businesses Building the fundatin fr electrnic cllabrative cmmerce Q: Are all f Netwrk Services (and its distributrs) suppliers required t implement data synchrnizatin via the GDSN? A: At this time Netwrk Services and its distributrs recmmend that all f their suppliers begin utilizing the GDSN. Data Pls and Slutin Partners Q: What is a GDSN-certified data pl? A: See the General Data Synchrnizatin sectin fr answers t general Data Synchrnizatin questins. Q: What/wh is 1SYNC? A: 1SYNC is a neutral GDSN-certified data pl and is wrking clsely with Netwrk Services t implement its data synchrnizatin initiative. Netwrk Services uses the 1SYNC Data Pl Slutin fr its GDSN services. A: A subsidiary f GS1 US, 1SYNC supprts and wrks with ver 50 retailers and 5,000 suppliers (f all sizes). T learn mre abut 1SYNC and its services, visit r call , Optin 1. Q: D I have t sign up with 1SYNC? 09-May Cpyright All Rights Reserved.

8 FAQs fr Netwrk Services Suppliers A: Yu need t select a GDSN-certified data pl t get started and 1SYNC is a GDSN-certified data pl. If yu are nt currently a member f 1SYNC, we recmmend yu get started right away by cntacting them at , Optin 1. Q: Hw much des implementing data synchrnizatin cst? A: 1SYNC perates n a cst-recvery mdel and fees are calculated based n yur cmpany's ttal annual sales. Visit fr mre details. Q: What is a 1SYNC Slutin Partner? A: A Slutin Partner is a cmpany that enables supply chain functins thrugh the prvisin f prducts and services. A 1SYNC Certified Slutin Partner refers t a cmpany that has been certified by 1SYNC t cnnect t the 1SYNC Data Pl. 1SYNC custmers have the ptin t chse a certified Slutin Partner t assist in managing their data synchrnizatin initiative. Fr a full list f 1SYNC Certified Slutin Partners, visit and search fr a Slutin Partner that meets yur needs. Q: D I have t use a 1SYNC Slutin Partner? A: 1SYNC prvides custmers with multiple implementatin ptins t successfully synchrnize data with Netwrk Services and its distributrs. 1SYNC ffers implementatin tls fr custmers and has partnered with sme f the largest and mst well-knwn cmpanies in the wrld, including many that suppliers may already be wrking with tday. A supplier can implement with the slutin that best fits their needs and requirements. Q: If I have questins and need help t use the 1SYNC system wh shuld I cntact? A: Fr questins assciated with GDSN r Netwrk Services and its distributrs data synchrnizatin initiatives please cntact 1SYNC custmer supprt at custmersupprt@1sync.rg r Q: I use data pl X r Slutin Partner Y and have a questin abut hw t use their system wh shuld I cntact? A: Fr questins assciated with GDSN, the first surce fr infrmatin shuld be yur data pl. The data pl yu select shuld be able t answer r prvide prper directin fr all yur questins assciated with data synchrnizatin. 09-May Cpyright All Rights Reserved.

9 Publishing Data t Netwrk Services FAQs fr Netwrk Services Suppliers Q: I want t synchrnize my item infrmatin with Netwrk Services and/r their distributrs. Where d I start? A: Please see the Netwrk Services and Its Distributrs Implementatin Guide n the 1SYNC Slutin Center fr mre details regarding implementatin requirements r cntact 1SYNC Custmer Supprt at custmersupprt@1sync.rg. Q: Hw des Netwrk Services and Their Distributrs Subscribe? A: Netwrk Services and its distributrs will create a subscriptin fr yur infrmatin prvider GLN/Target Market U.S. Q: Is Netwrk Services and their distributrs checking the Initial Lad r New Publicatin Types fr incming Catalgue Item Ntificatin (CIN) publicatins? A: Netwrk Services and its distributrs will accept either publicatin type, New Item r Initial Item Lad. Q: When can I expect t see the Catalg Item Cnfirmatin (CIC Authrizatin)? A: After Netwrk Services and/r its distributrs receive the Catalgue Item Ntificatin (CIN) it is subjected t matching and validatin rules. The Catalgue Item Cnfirmatin (CIC) is generated immediately after thse rules are executed. Q: What are the pssible respnses (states) f a CIC (Authrizatin) that I can expect t see? A: Netwrk Services and its distributrs will use the Catalgue Item Cnfirmatin (CIC) message as fllws: a. A CIC with the state f ACCEPT will autmatically be sent when publicatin is received if there are n issues with the data. b. A CIC with the state f REVIEW will be sent if there are missing attributes r data discrepancies. c. A CIC with the state f SYNCHRONIZED will be sent after Netwrk Services has updated their system and the item infrmatin has been psted t the website. d. A CIC with the state f REJECT will be sent if the published item is in a categry nt supprted by Netwrk Services r their distributrs. Q: Hw will Netwrk Services and their distributrs handle nging Data Synchrnizatin? A: Suppliers shuld cntinue t send changes and crrectin thrugh GDSN fr the items synchrnized with Netwrk Services and its distributrs. 09-May Cpyright All Rights Reserved.