Dive into the GS1 data pool

20 Sep
2024

Does your company already work with GS1 Data Source? This central data source, where suppliers and manufacturers can publish and share product data with retailers and wholesalers, is on the rise. For example, retailers in the gardening and animal sector want to use the GS1 Data Source as the only data source by the end of this year, for more efficiency throughout the chain, better online findability and more sales. Dive into the GS1 data pool too.

The GS1 Data Source is one central data pool where manufacturers and suppliers in a particular sector already have
can publish their product information in accordance with certain standards. Retailers and wholesalers can then read this product information into their own systems.

The following sectors all have their own GS1 Data Source:

  • Food & Drugstore
  • DIY, garden & animals
  • Health care
  • Agricultural & fresh

The GS1 Data Source, as the name suggests, was developed by GS1. And as you probably know, this not-for-profit organization develops barcodes and other product data standards for retailers and
suppliers.

Default is the default in GS1 Data Source

The product data in the GS1 Data Source can be divided into three groups: basic data,
consumer information and data to comply with laws and regulations.

And all this product data is entered in a standardized way. How to publish and receive
the same product information for everyone in the chain. This should ultimately contribute to:

  • More efficiency
  • Better traceability
  • Accurate consumer information
  • Simplified cooperation between companies in the sector

Data explosion requires one data pool

As a supplier or manufacturer, you are not obliged to use the GS1 data source. But more and more
retailers do urge suppliers to record product information in the GS1 data pool. Indeed, the demand for product data is increasing enormously, not only because of laws and regulations, but also from consumers. And that data explosion requires standardization and clear data management throughout the chain, so that all stakeholders have the right product data.

Retailers in the Food & Drug Store sector already had their producers almost ten years ago
dedicated to using the GS1 Data Source to capture label information. Also
producers in Agricultural & Fresh have been working with this data pool for several years. And now retailers in the gardening and animal sector have also expressed their commitment to using GS1 Data Source as the only data source
going to use. This can be a good reason to also use GS1 Data Source in your company.

Do you want to know which companies in your sector are now connected to the GS1 Data Source? On the website of GS1 you will find an overview of affiliated companies by sector. To do this, go to the “knowledge base”, click on your sector and find all affiliated companies in the Benelux under “Getting Started”.

Benefits of the GS1 Data Pool

In addition to the fact that more and more companies are joining, participating in the GS1 data pool also has quite a few advantages. We have listed a few of them for you.

1. Quickly share or receive the right product information

As manufacturer or supplier you only have to enter the product data in one place and share it with all your customers at once. You decide who can have which article data.

As a retailer or wholesaler you can easily request and read up-to-date product data into your own systems, and then use it for your logistics, websites, web shops, shelf plans, digital
shelf labels, etc.

2. Less chance of errors

Sharing product information via excels, Word documents, emails or phone calls increases the risk of errors. And that wrong product information can in turn lead to errors in a product, in the labels on a package, in digital shelf labels, billing, orders, etc. By sharing and requesting all product information in a standardized way via GS1 Data Source, the risk of errors throughout the supply chain is significantly reduced.

3. Better online discoverability of your products

If you want to increase the online findability/conversion of your products, comprehensive and accurate online product information is important. Consumers are increasingly looking for and viewing products first
online before they purchase the product. GS1 Data Source makes it easier to find the right one
putting product information online.

4. You can track products faster

By storing correct product data in one central location that is accessible to the entire supply chain
is, it will be easier to track products. Good product traceability is crucial
in case of any recalls. For example, unsafe feed must be able to be traced within 4 hours.

Disadvantages of GS1 Data Source

Of course, participating in the GS1 data pool is not all sunshine and roses. If you are a manufacturer
if you want to publish product information in the GS1, this requires quite a bit of time and effort on your part
company. After all, you still have to make a business case and set up a project (see the step-by-step plan below). There may also be technical adjustments or changes in your business processes.
necessary and people need to be trained.

What does it cost to participate in GS1 Data Source?

You pay a one-off contribution between €253 and €7,049, depending on your turnover. And besides
you pay between €253 and €7,049 annually, depending on your turnover. Companies with a turnover of up to
million pay €253. These contributions apply to both the publication of data and the
receiving data.

Roadmap for using GS1 Data Source

Want to participate in the GS1 data pool? Then follow the steps below.

Step 1 — Make a business case and start a project

Create a business case for participating in the data pool. This means that you describe what goals you want to achieve with your participation and what kind of results/deliverables it should deliver. What are you going for
use the GS1 Data Source and what is the added value?

Step 2 — Map out your current and desired situation

What processes related to product data do you currently have? What kind of data systems do you have
now and which ones do you need to achieve your goals?

Step 3 — Choose a Data Management System

With a data management system, you manage all your product information in one place and then share that product data from the system with GS1 Data Source. With Artwork Connect, you can not only manage your product data, but also all your designs in one place and easily share all product data with the GS1 Data Source.

Step 4 — Sign in to GS1

To publish or receive product data in the GS1 Data Source, you need your company first
sign up. This can be done via the GS1 website: sign up directly for GS1 Data Source. You can only
publish data only with a GS1 data pool account.

Step 5 — Capturing data into the GS1 data pool

You can submit your article data to the GS1 Data Source via a web interface, via your own application
or, for example, with Artwork Connect. Once you are going to capture data in the GS1 Data Source, you must
adhere to all kinds of conditions and standards. For example, you should put the products in GPC groups
classification (Global Product Classification method). The GPC category you choose is very important because
this determines which data from your products you should share. There are also rules for determining the dimensions of your product. When you have a good data management system with an automatic link to GS1 Data Source, capturing data in the GS1 data source becomes a lot easier.

Step 6 — Test with retailers

Before publishing to retailers, check whether everything works technically well and whether the quality of the article data you provide is good.

Step 7 - Ensure data quality in your organization

If you want to ensure data quality within your organization, do the following:

  • Put data management on the agenda structurally.
  • Establish work procedures.
  • Determine who in the company is responsible for data management.
  • Make sure you have the right data management systems.
  • Make sure everyone who works with GS1 Data Source is trained, GS1 also provides training courses.
  • Always provide product data according to the latest data model*.

* On the GS1 website, you will find the latest data model for each sector. It states which
product information you need to provide and how. Go to “knowledge base”, then click on your relevant
sector and under “What data” go to “data model”.

Using Artwork Connect for GS1 Data Source?

With Volkers Artwork Connect, you can easily put all your packaging data in one central database
save. This way, you can be sure that you are always working with the latest version and that you have the GS1 data in order.

It is also possible to link Artwork Connect to the systems of GS1 and other legislative
agencies or e-commerce channels. As a result, the input of product data into these systems is
automatically. In addition, it helps Volkers you to ensure that all your packaging artwork complies with current laws and regulations.

Would you like to know more about Artwork Connect and the GS1 Data Source or other Volkers services?
Feel free to contact us for a free, short call.

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