Why joining GS1 is a must

These barcodes allow to accelerate the commercial exchanges and to improve their follow-up. An essential tool for flow control, better efficiency and optimal traceability at all times.

53,000 in France, and already more than 2 million worldwide! That's the number of companies that use GS1's international identification standards. But why have they made this choice ? What are the advantages?

GTIN, EDI, where to start?

GS1 is a neutral, non-profit organization created to simplify and automate trade between partners through a unique identification system. By becoming a member, one obtains a GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) code, also known as EAN or UPC, for each of its products, as well as an associated barcode thanks to which transactions can be automated and considerably accelerated.

More than 10 billion barcodes of this type are scanned every day.

GS1 also enables efficiency, quality and compliance through the use of EDI messages within the GS1 standards. In addition to the GTIN code, the most common of these are

• ORDERS, an EDI message representing the purchase order and specifying all the information related to the completed order

• INVOIC, EDI message representing the invoice. It is accompanied by the proof of delivery issued by the recipients

• DESADV, EDI message synonymous with the shipping notice. It details the goods concerned and acts as a delivery note

In a classic scheme, a GS1 member company issues an ORDERS order electronically. Once prepared, the products are scanned and registered on the supplier side. This data is forwarded to the distributor with a transport order and a dispatch note (DESADV message). When the products are received at the distributor's, the scan of the products allows the reconciliation of the data (SSCC code, article information, batches...) with those transmitted in the DESADV message.

"An SSCC code provides information to identify perfectly identical pallets in terms of their content, which is crucial in terms of the traceability of each batch. The detail of the products is informed in the shipping notice", explains Anne-Claire Krid, Transactional Data - EDI expert at GS1 France.

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A springboard for greater efficiency

GS1's role goes far beyond simply providing codes for standardization and authentication of exchanges. "We also provide a lot of information on the rules of use, on the compulsory data, those which are not compulsory but request", she illustrates.

The organization provides very concrete answers to the difficulties encountered when setting up EDI messages. It offers access to collaborative spaces to encourage exchanges between players in the same sector, to a network of partners and online solution providers, as well as to events on current issues such as food traceability or the digitization of purchasing/sales processes.

"We also offer training on understanding technical documentation and specifications, on the rules to be respected, the various codes, standards and how they work. Each sector has its own constraints. In the butchery industry, for example, the breeds of the sire and dam must be filled in. EDI messages allow this information to be sent quickly and efficiently between companies. The same applies to the country of slaughter and cutting," emphasizes Anne-Claire Krid.

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How to register and receive its GS1 codes ?

It is necessary first of all to join GS1 France by connecting on the site of GS1 to the heading "to obtain a bar code", and to create its profile. As soon as the membership is confirmed, the GTIN (or EAN or UPC) codes can be obtained by accessing the www.codeonline.fr platform from the email sent by GS1. The barcodes for your products can then be generated in the tool. They can also be available through a solution provider like Klarys.

For your information, when implementing Procsea solution for a retailer or a wholesaler, Procsea team will help each supplier who is not a GS1 member to get their GTIN codes.

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Thanks to Anne-Claire Krid, Transactional Data - EDI expert at GS1 France, for her time.