TABLE OF CONTENTS. Disclaimer AN INTRODUCTION TO THE GLOBAL COUPON NUMBER (GCN)

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2 TABLE OF CONTENTS What Is a Global Coupon Number?... 3 What Is a GCN Used For?... 3 Key Attributes of the GCN... 3 Business Benefits of Using GCNs... 4 The GCN and Digital Coupons... 4 Benefits of Digital Coupons... 4 Managing the Digital Coupon Process... 5 Identification Requirements... 5 How Is the GCN Formed?... 6 Frequently Asked Questions About the GCN... 7 Tools and Resources... 8 GS1 US: Bringing the Global Trading Community Together... 8 Disclaimer Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the guidelines to use the GS1 Standards contained in the document are correct, GS1 and any other party involved in the creation of the document HEREBY STATE that the document is provided without warranty, either expressed or implied, of accuracy or fitness for purpose, AND HEREBY DISCLAIM any liability, direct or indirect, for damages or loss relating to the use of the document. The document may be modified, subject to developments in technology, changes to the standards, or new legal requirements. Several products and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. GS1 Identification Key Series - GCN (Global Coupon Number.) January 2013, Issue 1.0 All contents copyright GS GS1 US. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PAGE 2 OF 10

3 What Is a Global Coupon Number? A Global Coupon Number (GCN) is the GS1 Identification Key used to identify a coupon. This unique identifier is comprised of a GS1 Company Prefix, a Coupon Reference Number, a Check Digit, and an optional serial number. What Is a GCN Used For? The GCN is a simple tool used to identify coupons. This standard meets the needs of a growing number of applications that enable consumers to receive and redeem coupons electronically, making the process quicker and safer. These digital applications represent huge potential savings for coupon issuers and retailers. The function of a GCN electronic or printed is to provide an identification point that can be used to retrieve information held in a database associated with the coupon. The GCN is a major milestone in meeting GS1 s objective of bringing benefits to all parties in the value chain, including the end consumer. Key Attributes of the GCN The use of GCNs provides companies with a method of coupon identification that is both simple and unique. The GCN will identify a coupon uniquely, thus ensuring that it is always identified correctly anywhere in the world. Each coupon that is different from another is allocated in a separate, unique GCN. The allocation of numbers is always under the control of the issuing party. Because the GCN itself has no meaning, the coupon number can be looked up in a secure database and its associated information retrieved at any point or location. GCNs are based on the GS1 System, derived using a Company Prefix, a Coupon Reference Number, a Check Digit and, optionally, a serial number, so allocation of numbers is simple, and uniqueness is guaranteed. If your business issues coupons that require tracking and control, GCN can enable this capability. A GCN can be assigned by a GS1 Company Prefix licensee anywhere in the world and can be used anywhere in the world GS1 US. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PAGE 3 OF 10

4 Business Benefits of Using GCNs There are a number of benefits to using the GCN to identify coupons: The structure of the GCN and its assignment rules are administered by GS1, a not-for-profit standards organization that is supported by implementation guidance, business examples, and maintenance. GCN is a simple coding system used to facilitate coupon numbering and identification with almost limitless capacity. The GCN uses the same GS1 Standards that are used in many other business applications. If you are already using GS1 Standards to identify products or locations, it is easy to extend your use to identify coupons as well. GCNs are unique worldwide. A GCN can be used throughout the world with no need for trading partner(s) to assign proprietary numbers to ensure uniqueness. The GCN can identify a coupon uniquely if required. The GCN enables companies to scan a coupon in order to retrieve or track the key data. The GCN allows the issuer, rather than a third party, to allocate GCNs. The GCN guards against misidentification and fraud. The GCN is an easily defined data structure with integrity checking that facilitates processing and transmission of data. The GCN and Digital Coupons Benefits of Digital Coupons GS1 global standards enable efficient digital coupon processes for the benefit of: BRANDS: Digital coupons allow brands to execute offers in the same way in multiple countries and with multiple retailers. Brands can have more relevant and/or targeted marketing and campaign opportunities tied to specific factors such as location, type of consumer, product, interests, and interaction with media. MOBILE INDUSTRY AND SOLUTION PROVIDERS: With digital coupons, mobile industry and solution providers have a baseline and one standard to implement rather than multiple standards. RETAILERS: Digital coupons enable retailers to accept offers from coupon issuers in one rather than multiple ways and help retailers understand how to configure (and possibly upgrade) their Point of Sale system. Retailers can accept digital coupons acquired from multiple distribution channels, process them in a uniform and standard way, and integrate where appropriate with their loyalty system. WHAT IS A DIGITAL COUPON? A digital coupon is an electronic appropriation that is distributed and presented without needing to be manifested as paper or in other hard-copy form, and that can be exchanged for a financial discount or for loyalty points when making a purchase. CONSUMERS: Digital coupons give consumers a consistent and satisfying experience when they manage their coupon offers. Digital coupons are searchable and sortable, allowing customers to browse by merchant, category, offer date, and other criteria GS1 US. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PAGE 4 OF 10

5 Managing the Digital Coupon Process The following diagram illustrates the Digital Coupon Management Process. The process is outlined in greater detail in the Digital Coupon Management Standard Specification document, see Tools and Resources. DIGITAL COUPON MANAGEMENT PROCESS The Digital Coupon specification will co-exist in the foreseeable future with coupon specifications described in the GS1 General Specifications. They are restricted to national or common currency regional applications specified by the respective GS1 Member Organizations. Identification Requirements: Digital coupons must be identified by a GCN assigned by the coupon issuer. All parties involved in the Digital Coupon Management Process (e.g., offer issuer, digital coupon enabler, retailer) must be identified with a Global Location Number (GLN). Digital coupons must relate to offers and promotions on products or services. Products and services must be identified with a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). Digital coupons may be managed in conjunction with loyalty cards. If appropriate, consumer loyalty card accounts may be identified with a Global Service Relation Number (GSRN) GS1 US. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PAGE 5 OF 10

6 How Is the GCN Formed? A GCN is formed with the following components: APPLICATION IDENTIFIER (AI): AI 255 to indicate GCN GS1 COMPANY PREFIX: A globally unique number assigned to a GS1 member company COUPON REFERENCE NUMBER: The number assigned by a member company to the coupon CHECK DIGIT: A mod-10 algorithm digit used to check for input errors SERIAL NUMBER: An optional number for individual coupon identification Application Identifier Global Coupon Number (GCN) GS1 Company Prefix Coupon Reference Check Digit Serial Component (Optional) 255 N 1 N 2 N 3 N 4 N 5 N 6 N 7 N 8 N 9 N 10 N 11 N 12 N 13 N 1 variable N 12 Note: GCN is a 13-digit numerical number, including the Check Digit. The combined length of the GS1 Company Prefix and Coupon Reference will always be 12 digits. The exact method used to allocate a GCN is left to the discretion of the issuing organization. However, the GCN must remain unique for a period well beyond the lifetime of the records relevant to the coupon. The following steps are used to form GCNs: 1. START WITH YOUR GS1 COMPANY PREFIX. Your GS1 Company Prefix is the globally unique number assigned to your company by GS1 US or another GS1 Member Organization. GS1 Company Prefixes are assigned to companies in varying lengths. Some GS1 US members may have a prefix license certificate that shows only a U.P.C. Company Prefix (formerly a UCC Company Prefix). A U.P.C. Company Prefix must be converted to a GS1 Company Prefix for use in the GCN. This is accomplished by adding a zero to the front of the U.P.C. Company Prefix. The following table illustrates the conversion of a U.P.C. Company Prefix to a GS1 Company Prefix for use with GCNs. U.P.C. COMPANY PREFIX CONVERTED TO GS1 COMPANY PREFIX CREATE THE COUPON REFERENCE NUMBER. The Coupon Reference Number is a number assigned by you, the holder of the GS1 Company Prefix, to uniquely identify a coupon within your company. The Coupon Reference Number varies in length as a function of the GS1 Company Prefix length. Note that the combined length of the GS1 Company Prefix and Coupon Reference Number is always 12 digits GS1 US. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PAGE 6 OF 10

7 Hint: Assign your Coupon Reference Numbers sequentially, and do not build any intelligence into the number. The scheme that defines a particular coupon as having a set meaning today will mean nothing a short time into the future when your company reorganizes, buys, or merges with another firm, or another staff member takes over GCN assignment duties. 3. CALCULATE THE CHECK DIGIT. The Check Digit is a calculated one-digit number used to ensure data integrity. To understand how this digit is calculated, refer to Tools and Resources. 4. ASSIGN THE SERIAL NUMBER (OPTIONAL): The serial number is assigned to an individual instance of a coupon. You can assign up to a 12-digit serial number for each GCN. Again, we recommend assigning serial numbers sequentially, not building any type of intelligence into the serial number itself. Frequently Asked Questions About the GCN What is meant by digital coupon? A digital coupon is an electronic appropriation that is distributed and presented without needing to be manifested as paper or in other hard-copy form, and that can be exchanged for a financial discount or for loyalty points when making a purchase. What are the advantages of the GCN? The use of GCNs provides organizations with a method for identifying individual coupons. Additionally, the GCN is: Globally unique Simple Multi-sectorial Can the GCN change? If a coupon identified by a GCN changes, the party responsible for the GCN should change the details associated with the GCN within the appropriate database. Where can I get more information about the business benefits of the GCN? Your local GS1 Member Organization is the ideal contact for information on the benefits that the GCN can deliver to your business. In addition, the organization will be able to provide you with further information on all GS1 Standards. Full details can be found at GS1 US. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PAGE 7 OF 10

8 Tools and Resources GS1 US offers a number of easily accessible online tools and resources that can help guide you through the GS1 Standards and processes: CHECK DIGIT CALCULATOR: Helps you correctly use the GCN Allocation Rules for your barcoded items. GS1 US GLOSSARY: Provides the terminology and language of the GS1 System of Standards to help you better understand what you are seeing and learning. GS1 US PRODUCT CATALOG: Includes an order form for printed publications, calibration kits, and more. Partner Connections members receive a premium discount. DIGITAL COUPON MANAGEMENT STANDARD SPECIFICATION: Defines rules for the use of digital coupons linked to the purchase of products or services. TRUSTED SOURCE OF DATA (TSD) PILOT: Results of a pilot study demonstrating that brand owners can share consumer-facing digital project data with multiple internet application providers using a global and interoperable approach. GS1 LEARN: Provides online training about the GCN and other areas of the GS1 system. PARTNER CONNECTIONS SOLUTIONS CENTER: Provides a ready reference to education and online materials to speed your barcode and e-commerce processes. RESOURCE LIBRARY: Documents, videos, and other information to increase the value of standards for all trading partners in the value chain. FAQS: Frequently Asked Questions about GS1 Standards, implementation, and how to get started. For more information about GS1 US, GCNs, and other GS1 Standards: info@gs1us.org Call Visit GS1 US: Bringing the Global Trading Community Together For a supply chain to generate maximum value, it must move products from supplier to distributor to customer in a way that minimizes costs, redundancies, and waste and maximizes coordination and collaboration among trading partners. GS1 US makes that process possible by enabling companies to uniquely and globally identify, capture, and share information about products, locations, and more using GS1 Standards. IDENTIFY: GS1 Identification Numbers uniquely distinguish all companies, products, trade items, logistic units, locations, assets, and service relations in the supply chain from manufacturer to consumer. CAPTURE: GS1 System Data Carriers in the form of barcodes and Electronic Product Codes that are programmed into Radio Frequency Identification tags (known as EPC-enabled RFID tags) can hold various amounts of data to accommodate different needs, such as batch/lot numbers and expiration dates. This additional data can be very helpful in numerous business processes in the healthcare and fresh foods industries, to name a few examples. SHARE: GS1-enabled interoperability allows electronic commerce information, including master data, transactional data, and physical event data, to flow through the supply chain between trading partners and to the consumer GS1 US. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PAGE 8 OF 10

9 Moving Your Business Forward with GS1 Standards Every industry has its own needs and challenges. GS1 takes a leadership role by working with industry communities to articulate, identify, resolve, and share industry issues and best practices and by enabling standards-based solutions that help companies run their businesses more successfully. Today, more than 300,000 member companies throughout in the United States employ GS1 Standards to make their supply chain more visible, efficient, secure, and sustainable. VISIBILITY: GS1 Standards enable the reciprocal sharing of product information both internally and with trading partners throughout each step in the supply chain. Having ready access to such comprehensive data helps companies to ensure product availability, enable recalls quickly, and provide convenience, satisfaction, and safety for customers. EFFICIENCY: GS1 Standards dramatically increase the amount of data available for decision making, enabling companies to automate processes and optimize forecasting and inventory planning to reduce duplication and waste. SECURITY: GS1 Standards provide an accurate and standardized way to validate, access, send, and receive information with trading partners through the use of unique identification numbers. GS1 Standards protect your brand, promote safety for your customers, and help to combat counterfeiting. SUSTAINABILITY: GS1 Standards help companies build processes that are flexible, enduring, and adaptable. Electronic exchange of information is efficient and eco-friendly GS1 US. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PAGE 9 OF 10

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