SUCCESS STORY

Clean Data, Shining Results: How DR.SCHNELL Showcases Product Information with Syndigo

About DR.SCHNELL

DR.SCHNELL is a leading manufacturer of high-quality professional cleaning products used in various sectors such as building cleaning, gastronomy, textile hygiene, hospitality, healthcare, transportation, and industrial operations. The Munich-based traditional company, now in its seventh generation, employs almost 500 people throughout the DR.SCHNELL Group and is operating across Europe.

The successful deployment of Syndigo’s syndication solution at DR.SCHNELL was enabled by several key factors:

• Dedicated Data Integration Team: The core team from Syndigo played a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and effective integration process.

• Agile Methodology: An agile approach allowed for quick adjustments and improvements, ensuring the project stayed on track.

• Regular Status Meetings: Frequent updates ensured that all parties were informed and coordinated throughout the implementation.

• Prompt Feedback: Quick responses to issues allowed for immediate resolution and minimized disruptions.

• Continuous Improvement: Ongoing development of the Syndigo application ensured that the solution remained of high quality and effectiveness.

The Path to Clean Data

Before the implementation of Syndigo, DR.SCHNELL faced significant challenges in maintaining and distributing its item data to various customers. The process was predominantly manual, error-prone, and not scalable. The time required to maintain the various data pools was substantial or sometimes no longer feasible, and the number of available data fields was limited. Therefore, providing up-to-date data could no longer be guaranteed. Additionally, there were a variety of different exchange formats for the item master data, depending on customer requirements. All these factors ultimately affected operational efficiency of the family business.

By implementing an API interface from Syndigo, DR.SCHNELL was able to effectively address these challenges. The integration of the API interface allows for automated and continuous data synchronization of the product master data, which can now be easily transmitted to various partners and platforms.

DR.SCHNELL chose Syndigo because of the powerful and flexible API interface. The ability to transfer data directly from the existing PIM system to the Syndigo platform and from there to publish to the entire GDSN market was a decisive advantage.

The support during the implementation by the experienced Syndigo team ensured that all processes ran smoothly and efficiently. Immediate validation of GS1 rules allows data to be published without delay and infinitely scalable.

The company is now able to enter new markets by meeting global standards. Scalability and efficiency have thus been significantly improved. With Syndigo’s syndication solution, the DR.SCHNELL team now has a new efficient approach to optimizing the syndication of its product data.

Clean Product Data is the Key to Success

DR.SCHNELL has successfully mastered its challenges in the area of product data management in Germany by implementing the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) in partnership with Syndigo.

The project focused on aligning product data with GDSN standards and German regulations and included over 700 attributes. A key component was the use of a GDSN data pool, which centralized and automated data exchange, thus ensuring accurate synchronization. The technical team of the Munich-based family business received specialized API training for effective data mapping and integration.

After thorough testing, the system went live and syndicated over 1,000 products – including to the German retailer EDEKA. The successful implementation improved data accuracy, shortened time-to-market, and strengthened relationships with trade partners. The project transformed DR.SCHNELL’s data management and positions it for future growth and potential market expansion.

With Syndigo, we have found a reliable and strong partner with whom we can publish our entire item master data at the push of a button in GDSN.

Julia Eberlein

Project Manager Digital Customer Support | Data Integration | Produktkataloge | EDI

With the modern API interface, we can release daily changes to the master data pool automatically without manual effort. The validation rules additionally help us to bring our item master data to a new level of quality. This also supports the Dr. Schnell vision of quality and service for our customers and trade partners in all economic sectors. Our efforts have resulted in a 40% reduction in the time and labor required for data maintenance, empowering us to deliver higher quality and service efficiency.

Sven Steckler

Product Owner BI & Data

The Results are Brilliant

Through the collaboration with Syndigo, DR.SCHNELL was able to achieve several important goals:

• Timely data provision: Product master data is now available daily.
• Reduced manual effort: The time and labor required for data maintenance has been reduced by 40%.
• Improved data quality: The global quality of the master data has been significantly increased.
• Immediate error detection: Errors are now immediately detected thanks to the validation rules and can be corrected promptly. The Syndigo Dashboard is a helpful tool in this regard.

Conclusion

Through the partnership with Syndigo, DR.SCHNELL has successfully optimized the syndication of item data. This led to improved operational efficiency, reduced error rates, and faster time-to-market for their products. Syndigo’s cloud-native platform supports manufacturers, brands, and trade by enabling the continuous flow of data and content throughout the entire trade ecosystem with an end-to-end solution for MDM, PIM, PXM, Syndication, and Digital Shelf Analytics.

The optimized processes have not only strengthened DR.SCHNELL’s internal capabilities but have also enabled the company to confidently expand into new markets.

The post Clean Data, Shining Results: How DR.SCHNELL Showcases Product Information with Syndigo appeared first on Syndigo.

The Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) is an important tool for sharing product information with retailers and other trading partners. But the process of managing and delivering GDSN data is complex and time-consuming.   

The good news is that managing your critical GDSN data doesn’t have to be a tedious burden to help simplify the process and take the stress out of GDSN delivery.  

GDSN for food brands: what you need to know

The GDSN is a worldwide web of GDSN data pools that empowers companies to seamlessly exchange product information with their business partners in a standardized format. For many brands with food and/or beverage items in their catalog, GDSN data is the linchpin in ensuring those products are consistently and accurately portrayed on retailer websites, store shelves, and distributor catalogs. By delivering comprehensive, high-quality product data, food brands can elevate their visibility, bolster customer confidence, and ultimately boost sales.  

Beyond its function in product representation, GDSN data is a key component for streamlining supply chain operations and cost reduction. By harmonizing product data throughout the supply chain, GDSN facilitates swifter and more precise order fulfillment, mitigates the risk of inaccuracies, and empowers smarter inventory management. This, in turn, leads to cost efficiencies and enhanced operational productivity for food brands.  

Uses and challenges of GDSN data  

Efficiency is the name of the game in a highly competitive food industry with notoriously slim margins. Leveraging GDSN data to its maximum potential can be a game-changing way to hone internal operations and get an edge in the market.  

GDSN data provides an important foundation for a “common language” for everyone involved in the food industry, from farm to factory to shelf to table. This standardization ensures that everyone interprets and uses the data the same way, reducing confusion and errors that can disrupt operations and impact product quality.  

Using a GDSN data pool increases the number of retailers and trading partners with food producers can readily share product information. This expanded reach helps food companies enter new markets, reach a broader customer base, and increase sales potential.  

But managing and especially sharing GDSN data can be a complex and time-consuming process, particularly for food brands with extensive product portfolios and limited resources. The volume of data and the need to meet strict requirements for every recipient can quickly become overwhelming.   

Delivering GDSN data to the right place in the right way  

Delivering GDSN data to a variety of retailers and recipients, each with its own unique requirements, can be a daunting task. However, with the right tools and strategies, food brands can streamline the process and ensure that their product information is accurate, consistent, and compliant.  

A pivotal point in the delivery of GDSN data is the choice of a GDSN data pool with an extensive network of GDSN endpoints and recipients. A data pool serves as a centralized repository for GDSN data, facilitating the simultaneous sharing of product information across multiple retailers.   

The selection of a data pool should consider the network’s size, scope, and the support and services available—the more endpoints available, the more likely you’ll be able to immediately send data to your desired partners and easily add new ones as you scale and grow.

Read More: How Utz Streamlined GDSN Data Delivery   

Success Story

Utz Quality Foods Expands Their Network while Spicing up Their Product Information

Read more

The importance of unique requirement sets  

One of the most common and frustrating GDSN-related obstacles food suppliers run into is incomplete or incorrect data delivery to their seller partners. Every retailer, distributor, app or other endpoint ingests and uses product content in its own unique way, and if GDSN data isn’t delivered in just the right format and manner it can get rejected or ignite a tedious and complicated back-and-forth between supplier and recipient.   

This is extremely common; some major GDSN syndication solutions are only able to achieve complete data delivery to major food service recipients about 70% of the time. When speed and efficiency are everything, that can quickly grind you to a painful halt that requires intensive manual intervention.  

This happens in part because some syndication solutions rely on generic one-size-fits all delivery methods that put the work and responsibility of customizing and tailoring data on the supplier.  

When choosing a product content syndication solution, you can save time and effort by finding a tool that customizes and transforms your data with unique requirement sets that tailor it for every endpoint. For comparison, Syndigo has over 800 unique GDSN requirement sets, which is why our data reaches food service recipients completely with a 90% success rate.  

Find efficiency by combining GDSN syndication with other product content delivery  

GDSN data is an invaluable and near-universal foundation of product information. But by some standards it is somewhat basic and limited.   

Today’s customers, whether they’re end consumers at store shelves or food service providers like restaurants, are increasingly demanding more product content to inform their purchase decisions. Suppliers have met the demand by enriching or ‘topping off’ GDSN data with supplementary information and media, adding Core images and marketing copy like feature bullets, or even creating rich interactive digital experiences for their product pages with Enhanced Content.  

All these product content formats are quickly becoming must-haves to ensure your products can stand out on shelves of any kind and keep your brand top of mind. Even if you only create and deliver GDSN data today, other kinds of product content might be a priority in the near future.  

To keep processes and operations as simple as possible and prepare your organization to scale smoothly into the future, look for solutions that can equip your brand to generate, manage, optimize and syndicate all kinds of product data from a single interface.  

The post The fast way for food suppliers to ditch the stress of GDSN data delivery   appeared first on Syndigo.

SUCCESS STORY

How Chicken of the Sea Hooks Their Customers

Chicken of the Sea, a global seafood brand, has placed its trust in Syndigo’s solutions to accelerate and enable exceptional customer experiences that increase brand loyalty. In this discussion, Amity Kelly from Chicken of the Sea and Chris Laury from Acosta Group, a Syndigo partner, share their perspectives on delivering consistent, engaging shopping experiences that resonate with consumers.

About The Speakers

Amity Kelly is the eCommerce Digital Marketing Manager at Chicken of the Sea. She is responsible for Chicken of the Sea’s Amazon business, e-commerce businesses with their retail partners, and manages their internal websites.

Chris Laury is Senior Director of the Amazon Digital Shelf Team at Acosta Group. For the last two years he has led the Omnichannel Digital Shelf Team supporting the build and syndication of clients’ brand assets across most of the major retailers and channels.

Accelerating E-Commerce Success

What’s New?

Exciting Initiatives

Customer Loyalty

Success Measurement

Industry Changes

Valuable Partnerships

Performance Optimization

Teamwork

Trends

What’s New?

What are some of the cool things happening at Chicken of the Sea and Acosta right now?

Amity: We recently announced our partnership with Jessica Simpson. Twenty years later, we finally came together to answer the iconic question, “Is Chicken of the Sea chicken or tuna?”

Chris: Acosta has recently made a strategic decision to invest heavily in the application of AI solutions for both our internal operations and in the enhancement of our tools and services for our clients. I’m excited that we have chosen to embrace new technology and use it to create a stronger organization and a greater value proposition as a service provider.

Exciting Initiatives

What are you most excited about this year?

Amity: I am most excited about expanding on the e-commerce growth that Chicken of the Sea has experienced over the past few years and creating strong relationships with our retail partners.

Chris: The addition of new tools will allow us to go deeper in our analytics and provide stronger, higher value insights to our clients.

Customer Loyalty

When it comes to creating exceptional shopping experiences for consumers, what are your main strategies to help build loyalty and help you prioritize and activate these programs?

Amity: We work on creating a best-in-class digital shelf experience for our consumers. It all starts with eContent which matches our brand look and feel, voice, packaging, and marketing campaigns. Our goal is to provide a seamless experience whether the consumer is shopping online or searching for our products on retailers’ websites. We pull many digital levers like paid search, digital coupons, video ads, sweepstakes, and fresh content to keep our consumers engaged.

Chris: That’s exactly what we do for a lot of our clients. The challenge is always getting that content consistent out to all those retailers and that’s where we help make sure that that brand experience for their consumer is consistent across every website. That way they are building brand equity and brand loyalty which is so critical to continue to maintain or grow their share of the category.

Success Measurement

How are you measuring success today?

Amity: I created content scorecards and run monthly audits on our retailer websites to keep tabs. I also empower the sales team to be accountable for ensuring the content, packaging, and overall brand experience is up to our brand standards. If there’s an issue, I make sure to partner with them to get it solved.

Chris: Primarily, from a brand impression and brand equity perspective, we operate within the client’s Syndigo account to ensure their content is showing up consistently across every retailer site. In addition, we also complete pre- and post-content sprint assessments against key search terms to determine whether new content is successfully improving organic search ranks.

Industry Changes

What have you seen change the most in the commerce industry over the past year or so?

Amity: It has been very interesting and exciting to see many retailers come out with their own website capabilities and the ability to participate in paid search, display ads, and different campaigns in their infrastructures. It makes budgeting a little more challenging, but more fun at the same time.

Chris: The evolution of brands to integrate their growth strategies between their digital growth and physical store growth to execute and win in both spaces is exciting. They are realizing the exponential growth opportunity when creating one holistic plan that speaks to the consumer, whenever and wherever they want to engage with the brands they love.

Valuable Partnerships

What drove the partnership with Syndigo and Acosta?

Amity: We recently went through a rebrand of our products and really needed a system to help keep that organized, so that’s what made us partner with Syndigo. Plus, we love how easy it is for the retailers you work with to receive new assets automatically, through the automatic syndication process, so it’s a win-win. We chose a partnership with Acosta due to their many years in the industry, substantial knowledge, and key relationships they have in place with retailers.

Chris: Our partnership with Syndigo offers a deeper level of relationship that enables us to help clients solve problems and ensures that the challenges that brands face, like getting content onto the retailer sites, can be managed in a simpler way, not because it’s a simple process, but because we have that knowledge, that expertise. We remove complexity from the equation so everyone can focus on the things that are going to help them drive growth.

Performance Optimization

What is it about Syndigo and Acosta that has evolved your processes, tools, and people supporting your key initiatives?

Amity: We have so many people in our corner to help us get product launches off to an exceptional start. We have clear processes in place and milestones for each step of a product introduction that makes things go smoothly. The strong collaboration between Acosta and Syndigo means we are fully connected to our customers and to each of the teams.

Teamwork

What is your experience working with Syndigo’s teams?

Amity: Everyone I’ve met at Syndigo has been amazing to work with. They keep customer service at the forefront of everything. I meet monthly with our success manager to ensure we are in the know of the latest Syndigo releases, any new features in the works, and to speak to overall account health. Support is always helpful anytime we run into any product issues or simply when we need a new person issued an account.

Chris: Our Syndigo colleagues have been amazing to collaborate with. Their desire to help us get things accomplished and move projects forward has made us successful not just for ourselves but for our clients.

Trends

What excites you most about being in the position you are in today? How has your role transformed over the years? 

Amity: I love how the eCommerce world is constantly changing. There’s always a new trend to look out for or a new marketing ability you have. It keeps things exciting, there’s never a dull moment in my role. There are so many new eCommerce channels out there with Walmart and Kroger expanding their marketplace options, being able to purchase on TikTok, etc. It’s always fun to see what’s coming next!

Chris: The same is true for me regarding the constant change. If you aren’t readily embracing changes in technology and the ways that shoppers/consumers are engaging with the brands they love, you may not be a brand that they love for much longer. Constant change means we face a constant challenge. We can solve the problems of today, but you have to look at the problems that are coming because everything changes so fast.

Chicken of the Sea’s iconic products first appeared on store shelves in the 1930s. Since then they have expanded their product lines into a wide variety of popular options that include tuna, salmon, crab, shrimp, and much more! Chicken of the Sea understands one universal truth – good food makes you feel good! That’s why they are dedicated to bringing wild-caught happiness to every household by delivering healthy, convenient, and affordable protein options made with the best-sourced seafood for more than 100 years.

Acosta Group is a collective of the most trusted retail, marketing, and food service agencies providing managed services to over 2,500 manufacturers across all channels of commerce. Our ultimate purpose is to “connect people with the brands they love” and deliver industry-leading performance by enabling our partners to win in the modern marketplace. We are proud to partner with Syndigo who we view as a critical enabler to help brands and retailers harness the power of data to accelerate performance and deliver the seamless shopping experience consumers are expecting. We share a common commitment to accelerate commerce on every shelf as we look to shape the future of commerce.

The post How Chicken of the Sea Hooks Their Customers appeared first on Syndigo.

You might be assuming that takes us to the technology piece—but we have another chapter that precedes that. Before you can successfully implement and use the proper platform, like Syndigo, you need to have a handle on roles and processes for managing it all.

In this blog, we’ll provide guidance for setting up a proper framework for your governance structure by getting the right teams and approaches in place.

Who does what?

Let’s think about this like a train: The train might be moving the data where it needs to go, but it needs various leaders running it to ensure it moves along smoothly. Your organization needs to have people dedicated to the following areas for successful data governance:

• Owning the project of exchanging data through the GDSN
• Managing the multiple elements involved in the product content and metadata
• Closely reviewing the data to identify key information and action to take

Of course, these team members need to be experts on the GS1 Standards and have strong involvement in pursuing top data quality. Having a handle on this framework as an organization empowers people to take hold of the ever-important processes that move the aforementioned data train forward. Consider item set-up, for instance, and how this will take it from a departmental task to a centralized center of excellence. To give an example, for recipients, this means having someone dedicated to reviewing the data inputs from vendors, someone moving the data downstream, and someone holding content accountable to the GS1 Standards.

Streamlining complete, accurate content

Now that we’ve gone through those organizational tips, you should have a clearer idea of how the data successfully comes to life (a.k.a. how that data train keeps moving). The purpose of the GDSN, after all, is exchanging fulfilled product content. When you have the appropriate people and processes in place, you can feel confident those GS1 Standards are being met and your content is accurate and up to date.

From continuous internal audits to documented steps for a review cycle, there are plenty of moving pieces amongst your teams to maintain data completeness. But what makes it easier? A comprehensive platform that can ingest, validate, and syndicate the content across trading partners, of course! Better yet, when that platform is also a leading GDSN data pool, you should look no further. This is exactly how Syndigo comes into play.

The post Structuring Your Data Management with People and Processes appeared first on Syndigo.

REQUEST A COPY OF THE EBOOK

The GDSN – What It Is, How It Works

As demand for quality product information continues, brands and retailers need to keep it aligned and consistent. The GDSN® is the powerful, global network for accurate product data to drive business efficiency throughout the supply and demand chain.

Check out this easy-to-understand guide to see how GDSN can work for you.

From high-tech electronics to retail grocery, brands and retailers know that the demand for quality detailed, consistent product information is exploding.

The GDSN is a powerful network for consistent and accurate product data that drives business efficiency and enhances the consumer experience. This quick-reference eBook explores:

• How the GDSN works for brands and retailers
• Which types of product data and shipping specs included in the GDSN
• Why quality data matters and how you benefit
• What you need to know about data pool providers

Fill out the form below to access the eBook.

Featured Resources

Ebook

What is Product Information Management (PIM)?

Read more

Blog

Podcast – My Content Journey: The Data Chef talks with Chris Barnes

Read more

Ebook

Top 5 Steps to Prepare for the Digital Product Passport 

Read more

The post The GDSN – What It Is, How It Works appeared first on Syndigo.

In fact, GS1 has been part of the conversation for nearly 50 years at this point. If that concept is hard to grasp, just think back to all the times you watched a cashier scan a barcode at your local grocery store.

From the first barcode scan on a pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum in 1974 to the introduction of barcodes on coupons in 1985, GS1 has long been instrumental to everyday commerce. Just check out this impressive history of milestones it has surpassed:

And there you have it—you have completed your first step to being a GS1 expert! Whether you are a traditional consumer, manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of goods, you are also a participant in GS1.

Of course, we all know the complex terminology GS1 entails can be overwhelming. Throughout our series on GS1 and GDSN, you will see these terms pop up. So we will break them down up front so they can effortlessly be part of our shared lexicon.

The cell phone analogy

Before diving into definitions, let us clear up the high-level concept: GS1 is a governing body, data pools (like Syndigo) are service providers, and GDSN is the network. It helps to think of it like a cellular network.

In order to connect to a cellular network and exchange information—such as text messages, emails, or photos, a person must work with a cellular phone company to provide that service. That network is governed by the Federal Communication Commission which sets standards, rules, and regulations with the service providers who interoperate with each other to exchange cell phone data (again, in the form of talk, text, or other forms of visual media).

Similarly, in order to connect to the GDSN, which is GS1’s network, one must work with a service provider (in this case, known as a data pool) that will adhere to the standards, rules, and regulations set by GS1.

What does it all mean?

Now that we have set the stage with the cell phone analogy, it is time to turn to the jargon. From barcode compliance to GTINs and UPCs, there is plenty to unpack.

GS1: An organization that establishes and maintains global standards for business communication, the best known of these standards being the barcode. Compliance with GS1 standards comes in several forms, including:

Data Synchronization: The process of maintaining consistency among the data exchanged between suppliers, distributors and recipients.

GS1 Certified Data Pool: A company that provides software and services, generally in the data management space, that is also certified by GS1 to enable its clients to send or receive data via the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN).

GDSN: A network of interconnected service providers, called data pools, that enable trading partners to exchange product data in standardized format that aligns with and is governed by GS1.

GLN (Global Location Number): A unique identifier for a company’s locations, such as business locations, manufacturing plants, shipping locations, or receiving locations.

GTIN (Global Trade Item Number): A 14-digit globally unique identifier formatted to GS1 standards that is assigned to uniquely identify products across the supply chain.

UPC (Universal Product Code): The oldest and most popular of GTINs, the UPC is a 12-digit code that generally identifies the lowest-level consumable/purchasable unit of a product.

Barcode: A symbolic representation of a GS1 standard GTIN or UPC that is generally printed on packaging or other places for the purpose of scanning and identifying products across the supply chain.

And a couple of key concepts…

Many people find themselves discussing GS1 and their compliance. Are you GS1 compliant? Maybe! But the question itself can be misleading. Being compliant is relative to which requirements or standards you are trying to comply with. Here are a few examples:

• GTIN and UPC compliance: Being compliant here is relatively simple. You register your organization with GS1 and they immediately assign you a unique number called a prefix. That prefix uniquely identifies your company, much like a Social Security number. It is also the numerical base for what will become your Global Location Numbers (GLNs, 13 digits), Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs, 14 digits), and Universal Product Codes (UPCs, 12 digits).
• Barcode compliance: The barcode is GS1’s most famous standard, a symbol that is clearly printed on a product and can be scanned electronically. This means if there is a unique identifier (a UPC or a GTIN) assigned to a product, it must be represented as a barcode on the packaging so that when the barcode is scanned when the product is received, transported, or sold, compliance with GS1’s standards for uniquely identifying products has been achieved. There are many types of barcodes, such as the UPC/EAN, GS1 DataBar, and GS1-128 or ITF-14.
• Trading partner compliance:  Here is the big one! Trading partners have to agree on requirement sets. For example, what’s important (ultimately required) for a foodservice distributor is going to be different than what a brick-and-mortar retailer may request. Similarly, the compliance measures for healthcare data requirements will look very different from the other two. GS1 has established industry workgroups to guide those trading partners to align on what is most important to them.

The post Demystifying GS1 and GDSN: The Jargon appeared first on Syndigo.

Chris Barnes, Sr. VP at Syndigo, has been around eCommerce and data management for most of his career. From early on, his focus has been on working with clients and uncovering opportunities to get their data “right”, right from the start.

He chats with the Data Chef about his journey through client service to eCommerce and content management; The evolution of content capture in the industry, and how product imagery has become more and more important, from the outer shipping box down to the food item itself. He also shares his thoughts on the changing nature of product distribution, the importance of content and images in driving it, and how companies should be thinking about the ways their content is created and shared.

Check out this episode of the Data Chef here:

The Data Chef is a periodic podcast series featuring Syndigo clients, experts and other industry notables who serve the Foodservice industry and other consumer goods sectors.

The post Podcast – My Content Journey: The Data Chef talks with Chris Barnes appeared first on Syndigo.

Syndigo is a GS1 Certified data pool, which means that we can handle any content requirements for the GDSN. But what specifically, do data pools do? Here’s a handy overview:

Q: What is a data pool?

A: At its core, a data pool is a group of organizations that use agreed-upon means to communicate information among trading partners, to enable automatic synchronization of data across systems. This improves speed and reduces confusion based on formatting differences or the way information is provided.

Wikipedia says that a data pool is a “Gateway to access the GDSN” – a group of solution providers and trading partners (such as food distributors and foodservice operators) who share data in a common and understood way.

Q: What information do data pools use?

A: The most basic piece of information exchanged in a typical data pool is the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and possibly Global Location Number (GLN). The GTIN refers to the specific item, such as a bottle of shampoo or pair of blue jeans. A GLN refers to a location – like a warehouse, store, or even an exact spot on a store shelf.

Other information used by data pools are standard descriptions of an item’s physical attributes, like a product description, size dimensions, weight, how it is packaged, as well as things such as its product category, company address, or minimum order volume.

Q: What is a data pool provider?

A: A data pool provider is a technology or solution provider with the ability to provide access and deliver information to the network of suppliers and data recipients who utilize the GDSN Network. A data pool is the common point in the communication between the trading partners, in order to synchronize partner data.

Suppliers upload their data to a data pool, which is pushed to retailers, distributors or other data recipients. This communication takes place under common rules and standards, with the consideration the business agreements between trading partners. Data pools can operate within or across geographic regions, allowing them to share data with other data pools within inside the same data-sharing organization.

Q: What is a GDSN certified data pool?

A: While any solution provider can collect and synchronize data between trading partners, some are certified by GS1, which stands for Global Standards One. As the name suggests, the organization is the primary standards organization for assigning and managing the information and numbering schemes that global commerce relies on.

GDSN certified data pools operate together to allow collaborating users to securely synchronize their master data based on GS1 standards. GDSN supports accurate, real-time data sharing and trade item updates among subscribed trading partners.

Q: How do I become GS1 compliant?

A: The easy answer is to start with Syndigo! As a GDSN certified partner we can get you set up right away.

First, you obtain your own GTINs (if you don’t already have them), and create the proper barcodes needed for your items. From there, you simply share the product information with your trading partners. Our GS1 CIP page has all the information you need to get started.

The post Top Data Pool FAQs for 2020 appeared first on Syndigo.

However, simply having data or posting on behalf of supplier clients is not a reassurance of data quality. There needs to be a standard protocol when it comes to ensuring accuracy and efficiency – through the entire supply chain. It has been mentioned in these online pages and when speaking with our clients and other audiences, that our vision is to help our clients succeed by enabling the efficient transfer of data between suppliers and retailers. By becoming the central hub for providing digital product content, nutrition information and rich media, Syndigo can power engaging shopper experiences across brands, distributors and retailers.

To do so, we partner with industry leaders to ensure this efficient transfer of information in approved data sets. The GS1 is one such organization that has been assisting Syndigo by providing the data framework for our GDSN data pool. Recently, Syndigo upgraded our partnership by becoming an Elite member of the GS1 US Solution Partner Program. This is yet another demonstration of our commitment to delivering services and solutions that are quick, efficient and accurate to GS1 Standards.

Our Elite member status enables us to complete in-depth training/refresh programs so our experts can offer guidance and support to our customers around implementing GS1 Standards. We are currently involved in several GS1 Global initiatives, including the Global Data Model, Attributes for Business Definitions, Architecure Data Group, Data Excellence Board, and sector initiatives around the foodservice, healthcare and apparel industries. Syndigo’s client and data teams can utilize this expertise to provide in-depth knowledge, expert resources and invaluable tools to our clients in order to help them gain supply chain visibility and efficiencies.

In addition, Syndigo recently joined the new GS1 Certified Identification Partner program launching in January 2020. Designed to provide the industry with trusted sources of expert advice, Syndigo will help guide suppliers through the adoption and use of GS1-formatted content to improve their efficiency in the industry.

The support of GS1 GDSN standards is one important part of Syndigo’s overall approach to an integrated digital content program that helps our clients to drive their shoppers’ purchase patterns, as well as Core content, Enhanced content, and in-store merchandising.

If you are looking to learn more about the GDSN, please visit some of our resources online. And it’s not to soon to block time for GS1 Connect June 15-18, 2020 and the Syndigo User Group the day prior.

GDSN CONTENT

DATA SYNCHRONIZATION

GS1 US® is an information standards organization that brings industry communities together to improve supply-chain business processes through the adoption and implementation of GS1 Standards. The GS1 US Solution Partner Program facilitates the implementation of GS1 Standards by connecting users with solution providers that have proven standards expertise. More information on GS1 can be found here.

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