Overview of Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN)

[Former Member]

Emerging of GDSN

• The industrial sector is currently in the era where the retailers, manufacturers and distributors have entered a promising, yet challenging, period in their relationships. As they recognize the need of working closely to improve operational efficiency, more efficient information sharing and management has become a critical issue.
• Traditionally, they exchanged product information using manual, paper-based processes which led to inefficiencies, errors and duplicate labor efforts among trading partners.
• This gave rise to the need for a standards-based data synchronized model – Global Data Synchronization Network(GDSN).

What is GDSN?

• The Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) is an internet-based, interconnected network of inter-operable data pools and a global registry known as the GS1 Global Registry, that enables companies around the globe to exchange standardized and synchronized supply chain data with their trading partners using a standardized Global Product Classification.
• GDSN assures that data exchanged between trading partners is accurate and compliant with universally supported standards.
• Organizations are leveraging the GDSN to streamline how product, service, location, organization, price and promotion data is created and exchanged within their own enterprise.

GDSN consists of the following : 

• Supplier/retailer trading partner
• Data pools that hold and process trading partner data, such as Agentrics (formerly Worldwide Retail Exchange) and 1SYNC (formerly Transora and UCCnet).
• GS1 Global Registry, a directory that helps locate data sources and keep relationships between trading partners in sync. It matches subscriptions to registrations to facilitate the synchronization process.
• A set of standards established by EAN International and the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (EAN•UCC) through  the Global Standards Management Process (GSMP).
• Enterprise software for product information management.

The Global Location Number (GLN) and the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) are the global identification numbers in the GDSN; the GLN is the identifier for legal entities, trading partners and locations while the GTIN is the identifiers for trade items.

• The GDSN is a network of data pools that facilitates the synchronization of item information between retailer and suppliers through a single global registry.
• The value of the GDSN is that a retailer and supplier can have a single point of entry into the network through their selected data pool.
• Once connected, they can subscribe to or publish all of their item information in a single and consistent process for all trading partners that are connected to the GDSN.

In the next blog will explain about GDS Overview and Technical Guide for PI

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