Supply chain benefits
The speed, consistency and certainty that electronic business messaging brings to the supply chain, when it is implemented with a full understanding of the inter-enterprise business process, enables companies to concentrate on their core trading activities and provide the ability to respond to customer's demands more accurately and confidently. Integrating EDI business messages with accurate product identification, using global trade identification numbers (GTIN's) and global location numbers (GLN's), provides the foundation for a much more responsive and effective trading cycle.
Automatic, accurate data capture highlighting the movement of goods can take place throughout the length of the supply chain. Each item traded, at all packaging levels, can be identified uniquely with GTINs, and referred to unambiguously in electronic messages.
Individual transport units can also be identified uniquely, with their inventory details being sent electronically in a despatch advice to give prior notice of delivery.
Information can be transferred between companies with a combination of business messaging and GS1 bar codes - the standardised data means there is no confusion for any of the trading partners.
Whatever its position in the supply chain, any company can benefit from appropriate and timely information about the demand and supply of its products and services. Using international standards for product identification and business messaging communications means inter corporate barriers are removed, offering significant improvements to the trading cycle.
A key driver for a seamless operation throughout the supply chain is the increasing need for product origin and movement traceability from raw material, manufacture, through assembly to consumer. And while there are legislative requirements in some industries, the use of electronic messaging standards leads to all companies gaining commercial benefit from increasing trade and reducing cost.