GPCMigration from Germany‘s National Classification System towards GPC in FMCG & Fruits & Vegetables Sector

GS1 Standards Event, Dublin, 08-Oct-2012Klaus Förderer, GS1 GermanyMike Mowad, GS1 Global Office

© 2012 GS1

Background FMCG in Germany

• Well established national classification system for FMCG in Germany since the 1970s

• Maintained by GS1 Germany since 1978, mandatory in Master Data Pool from the beginning

• Limitations: • 4-digit-code: no space for improvement and new products• German language only• No attributes• Full migration to GDSN in Germany by 2013/2014

(GPC is mandatory)

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Motivation

• Our user community aims for solutions based on global standards and elimination of national solutions

• Upcoming GDSN migration requires GPC usage (not just the mandatory “99999999”)

• Enhanced use of classification expected as retailers have large master data projects

• GPC is seen a solid solution prepared for future developments and fulfilling most of Germany´s market needs

• Advantage of early adoption

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© 2012 GS1

Roadmap for Migration

• 2008 decision by GS1 Standards Steering Committee to retire German national classification system and replace it with GPC

• Adoption requirements: • Full translation of GPC into German language• Support materials and mapping• Use of GPC Attributes and necessary enhancements of GPC

• GPC is mandatory from 28-June-2012

• Transition phase until end of 2014 (final retirement of national system)

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GS1 Germany Support Activities (1)

• Full translation of GPC (includes all Attributes & Definitions) • Pre-requisite for adoption in Germany• Resources for translation needed• Usage of GS1 GO Tool for translation – supports automatically

generated publications • Integration of German language into GPC-Browser

• Additional Requirements from Germany• Sub group analysis of GS1 Germany GSDN

Expert Group

• +50 Work Requests, mainly in the food area (beverages, meat & sausages, dairy, bread, cheese, etc.)

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GS1 Germany Support Activities (2)

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Mapping tools (Online & Excel)for full range of products

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GS1 Germany Support Activities (3)

Attribute recommendation for Germany defining exactly were attributes must be used:

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GS1 Germany Support Activities (4)

• Support Materials• Starter kit - The 10 most important facts about GPC • GPC-Guide (translation of global document)

• Internal Training - GS1 Support & 1WorldSync (formerly SA2) Support

• Webinars & Trainings (external)

• Constant communication in GS1 Germany communication channels: “Are you ready for GPC?”

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Benefits & Learning• Benefits

• Full GDSN compliant classification

• Protection of investment ensured

• Easier connection with foreign business partners

• Learning• Full German translation and support material necessary

• Mapping extremely helpful, especially for SMEs

• Adoption of GPC attributes for big companies not easy

• Analysis of existing GPC and local requirements necessary

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Next Steps

• Updates coordinated with GPC publication cycle• Support materials & translations available 6 weeks after latest GPC

publication

• Enables user companies to prepare adoption (GPC production in GDSN)

• Data quality follow-up after migration, enables retailer usage

• Create awareness of GPC 6-month update schedule

• Active work in GPC SMG to bring in German user requirements and engage German user companies

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Testimonial GPC in FMCG

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“As a leading retailer who is active in 32 countries, we strongly support the use of global standards replacing national solutions. GPC is fulfilling our requirements for classification to support Metro´s master data processes”

Hanjörg Lerch, METRO SYSTEMSCo-Chair of GS1 Germany´s

GDSN Expert Group

© 2012 GS1

GPC in Fresh Food

• Movement in Europe towards GTIN for fresh fruit & vegetables, replacing generic national numbering systems: “It depends on the right GTIN”

• GPC-structures were established for this area in the past 3 years

• For fresh fruit & vegetables the GTIN is often not available from the beginning, alternative identification in the ordering process is needed

• GPC is filling this gap to establish a common language between trading partners

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Testimonial Fresh Food

“GPC is a essential tool in order to establish GS1 Standards for identification, communication and master data for fresh fruits and vegetables in order to improve the processes with our suppliers”

Norbert Röhl, EDEKACo-Chair of GS1 Germany´s Fruit & Vegetable Expert Group

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Thanks for your attention!!!

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Contact Details

Mike MowadGlobal Standards Manager, GS1T +1 (609) 557-4568E michael.mowad@gs1.org

Klaus FördererSenior Projectmanager EDI/eBusiness, GS1 GermanyT + 49 221 94714-0 E foerderer@gs1-germany.de