Failures in emerging supply chain processes are originating in great number in the fact that the involved partners do not communicate relevant data to each other on products meaning the basis of their relationship. The above-mentioned commercial chains has already recognized that and made the necessary steps.

In the last months László Csorba, the supply chain manager of Metro Kereskedelmi Kft said in several presentations that in spite of their massive efforts they could not achieve the set objectives in the field of electronic invoicing. The survey they launched that time pointed out that more than 50% of invoice mistakes were caused by bad product data. The recognition paved the way to the launch of an old/new project or rather to the revaluation of priorities. The solution was obvious for them, as their parent company has been receiving product data from suppliers through GDSN (Global Data Synchronisation Network) for years. Following the tests they started to include suppliers, so they expect product data from 30% of the suppliers in this way – László Csorba set the priorities.

Last year the TESCO-Global Áruházak Zrt. launched the development required to build up the connection. Károly Kovágó, the IT manager of the company said that they expected significant data quality improvement and therefore faster marketing of products and less lack-of-shelf from the adoption.

The staff of Co-op Zrt. has been following with attention the adoption from the beginning and now considered that it was time to launch their developments. As Mrs. István Deé, the manager of the IT program of Coop-group said that their aim was to operate their product database with up-to-date, accurate and even more thoroughly checked data by automatic processing of product data received from suppliers in order to further improve the accurateness of customer orientation and cut the costs of related administration. “As soon as we can finish testing we immediately start to inform suppliers and link them into the system. Following the adoption of the method, it would be great to receive the maximum amount of product information through GS1 Perfect data pool for the data maintenance in the common MASTER of Coop. Therefore it is important to have as many suppliers connected to data pool as possible,” he added.

What is this recent global network, the GDSN for?

The Global Data Synchronisation network, the internet-based linked network of certified data pools was launched under the authority of GS1. Its aim is to ensure the continuous consistency between the product databases of suppliers and traders through electronic and automatic synchronisation processes. Today, players of business life actively use this network in more that 80 countries. By the end of 2009 the number of users exceeded 22.000 and the number of registered products went beyond 4.400.000. For domestic enterprises the GS1Perfect, data pool developed by GS1 Hungary offers connectivity option to the network. Manufacturer/supplier enterprises are informed on www.gs1perfect.hu website about the solution and connectivity options.