1. Global Electronic ID

Global Electronic ID (e-ID) is a key enabler of electronic commerce. It integrates supply chain processes such as sourcing, sales, inventory, production and logistics to enable an accurate and efficient flow of information between trading partners worldwide. Global e-ID is the fundamental building block in reducing communication costs and inefficiencies.

Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)

To facilitate a seamless information flow along the supply chain, a system of numbers known as Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) guarantees unique identification. These numbers provide a common language in which manufacturers, exporters, importers, wholesalers and retailers can communicate information regarding the goods or services they trade. Article numbers are represented by a bar code and by scanning the bar code, business data can be entered and retrieved electronically from a computer. GTIN is an integral part of point of sale, VMI and CAO processes, etc.

Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)

To deliver the product quickly and reliably to the customer, the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) plays a vital role. SSCCs track the movement of logistics units like pallets, containers or cases between companies. Like the GTIN, SSCCs are globally standardized codes, which can be instantly read and processed by scanning - cutting costs, time and errors.

SSCCs are extremely important in practices like Cross Docking and Flow Through, which rely on the rapid and accurate distribution of different logistics units. A container arriving at a distribution centre will have its SSCC scanned, which will immediately tell the operator the container's contents and where it needs to be delivered.

Global Location Number (GLN)

The Global Location Number (GLN) identifies any physical or functional location within an organization. Typical locations are a specific warehouse shelf, a distribution centre or a retail store. The use of location numbers helps to move products efficiently through the supply chain without manual re-entering of location data, and is another important element of efficient practices such as CAO/VMI and electronic communications.

2. Automatic Data Capture

Automatic Data Capture (ADC) technologies such as the scanning of barcodes and radio frequency tags facilitate fast and accurate capture of product data. Barcodes, a common form of data carriers, are machine-readable graphic symbols, which represent the Digital ID on products, cases or containers. They can be read by a scanner at any point along the supply chain to automatically capture the data they hold. Barcodes provide a cost-effective way to speed up product handling and information processing right along the supply chain.

Reduced Space Symbology (RSS)

A linear symbology - Reduced Space Symbology (RSS) is developed to encode both the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and its attribute information on space-constrained items where existing linear symbologies cannot normally be used. This symbology will be applicable in the areas of Variable Measure, Logistics, Healthcare and Fresh Produce. The technical specifications of the symbology have been already available and its sub-set has been included in the GS1 General Specifications in 2001.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) utilizes radio frequencies to identify product and carry data through the supply chain. GS1 is now working together with the global user community to conduct pilot implementation in RFID application. It will be served as an essential data carrier that complements the existing GS1 standard tool set in significant application areas, including

• Asset Management for returnable transport items and reusable containers;
• Logistics processes, including tracking and tracing of items such as perishables;
• Electronic Article Control for anti-theft tracking programs for users and equipment providers alike throughout all points on the global supply chain.

3. Application Identifiers

The Application Identifier (AI) Standard is a technique to include supplementary information - such as use-by-dates, quantities or batch numbers - in the GS1-128 bar code. The AI is included as a prefix to the number. The uses for this technology include tracking the use-by-date of products within the distribution system and calculating the space required for incoming shipments from the quantity of units. This technology also serves to identify products for quality control testing by their batch numbers, which enable the origin of meat and fresh product to be tracked.

4. Electronic Data Interchange

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is often regarded as the backbone of electronic commerce. It enables trading partners to facilitate automatic transmission of standardized information from one computer system directly to another, based on a common format over the internet/Value Added Network (VAN), thereby eliminating manual intervention.

Extensible Markup Language (XML)

eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is an enabling technology that provides the tools to create a new language - a meta-language. It can bridge the difference between computing platforms and data formats to streamline and extend the exchange of information and transactions in the e-commerce supply chain. Therefore, it can be used to fully optimize retail supply chain processes, simplify the integration of EDI-based product information, and expand the breadth of product information exchanged between trading partners on the Internet.

5. Internet

The Internet is emerging as a potential cost-effective method on which to conduct EDI transactions in the supply chain. With access to a global network of this scale, the Internet is sure to accelerate and generate EDI implementation across the industry. For small companies that do not perhaps have the technological skills or resources, Internet based EDI is more affordable and easier to implement.