GS1net Essential Updates... - GS1 Australia

WELCOME
TO OUR FIRST
EDITION OF GS1net
ESSENTIAL UPDATES
EDITION 1
A new bi-monthly communication tool from the
GS1net team to GS1net users. Keeping you
and your business up-to-date on the latest
developments and essential information to
support your successful data synchronisation.
IN THIS EDITION:
››Important Message from the CEO Read more...
››Welcome from the GS1net Team Read more...
››Suggested Options to Improve Data Loading
and Maintenance Read more...
››Who is Using GS1net? Read more...
›Upcoming GS1net Webinar Training Sessions
›Upcoming GS1net Classroom Training Sessions
››DIAL Removal Read more...
›Technical Updates for Upcoming Release
››Upcoming GS1net Activities Read more...
› Read more...
› Read more...
› Read more...
For more information on GS1net and data synchronisation contact
1300 366 033, Option 2. For Sean Sloan please call (03) 9550 3492
or email sean.sloan@gs1au.org
TO OPT OUT CLICK HERE

IMPORTANT MESSAGE
FROM THE CEO
As our GS1net community of more
than 1400 registered Australasian users
continues to grow, we are committed
to keeping you informed about what
our dedicated GS1net team is doing
and how it can benefit your business.
From the outset I want to let you know that
we are aware of some of the issues users have
identified around the usability of GS1net.
The adoption of the Global Data Synchronisation
Network (GDSN) standards within GS1net has
indeed added to the user requirements. We have
taken all the user feedback most seriously, and
immediately put into action a range of initiatives
to improve the overall useability and reduce the
complexity of GS1net. Based on the feedback
we received from you, we have begun making
improvements. Below is a list of initiatives
currently being investigated and implemented:
Reduced Data Requirements:
• Metcash and Coles have reviewed their
implementations of GS1net, and agreed
to reduce their data requirements by
more than 50% of the fields.
• Reduced data requirements will be
communicated in detail shortly and
implemented over a series of steps
by the end of March 09.
• Suppliers trading with Coles or Metcash
will be significantly benefited.

Hiding unused fields:
• Fields not being used by sectors or data
recipients will be hidden from the screens
to reduce the size and scale of data screens.
• This is being completed in 2 phases of
which phase 1 is already complete.
• We expect phase 2 to be completed
by the 28th March 2009.
Pricing Management:
• Online pricing screens will be significantly
enhanced to provide more enriched
information and allow for more
comprehensive price management.
• This initiative will reduce confusion and
the number of navigations for suppliers
and data recipients when using the online
interface to check their pricing data.
Auto Item Publishing:
• Publishing item hierarchies will be simplified
to introduce logic that checks if prices have
been quoted for a trading partner and thus
ensuring this data is automatically published.
• This will remove the problems associated
with successfully loading your data,
but forgetting to publish the items.
Multiple Open Prices:
• Data recipients have identified the occurrence
of multiple open prices as a major issue, so
system logic will be implemented to ensure
that suppliers first end date their existing
prices before submitting new pricing data.
• This will significantly reduce integration issues
and data recipient support requirements.
Automating Fields:
• Where possible any fields that can be
calculated or automated based on other
inputted information will be programmed
to be sent outbound to data recipients
without the need for suppliers to maintain
or supply these fields of information.
• This will simplify the catalogue item
maintenance process for suppliers.
Improved Browser User Template:
• A range of improvements are being made to the
browser user template (Excel template) to make
it easier to use by hiding fields or defaulting
values based on user configurable information.
• In addition we will be investigating a second
phase of enhancements to the browser
template to further enhance its useability.
Training:
• Commencing late February 2009, a range
of new webinar training sessions will be
available on a regular basis, with different
training sessions being held weekly.
• Sessions will complement the existing
classroom or project specific training options
offered by our Professional Services team.
Documentation:
• A comprehensive user ‘cookbook’ is under
development consolidating much of
the existing user documentation, facts
sheets, definitions, examples, learnings
and additional guidelines of use.
• It will be an easy to read, yet comprehensive
tool to be launched in early May 2009.

GS1net Team:
• Overseeing the work required to
improve GS1net usability will be
our GS1net team:
• John Hearn, General Manager - GS1
Australia Services Group who has had
extensive experience in building and
operating EANnet over the last ten years.
• Sean Sloan - GS1net Operations
Manager, who managed the supplier
uptake at Coles Supermarkets prior to
joining GS1 Australia two years ago.
• Justin Middleton - GS1net Technical
Manager who many of you know
and liaise with frequently.
• Our Client Services team and other
GS1net team members are also on
hand to help you at any time.
A key part of this feedback was the need for
regular, detailed communication. I am pleased
to announce that we will be launching the
publication of a bi-monthly ‘GS1net Essential
Updates’ later this week. Please stay tuned as
this will contain important information for
all members of our GS1net community.
With your patience and continued feedback,
we aim to make GS1net the most efficient and
beneficial data synchronisation service possible.
Kind regards
Maria Palazzolo
CEO, GS1 Australia
To the many users who responded to our
surveys or attended the November User
Group sessions, I thank you for your feedback
– it has been invaluable to our team who
have now begun implementing many of
the suggested improvements to GS1net.
BACK

WELCOME FROM THE GS1net TEAM
As mentioned in the message from our CEO
Maria Palazzolo, GS1 Australia recently made
some changes to the GS1net Team, so briefly
here is an overview of the GS1net team.
John Hearn - General Manager GS1 Australia
Services Group. John is responsible for the GS1
Australia Services Group, including GS1net,
Training, Bar Code Testing, Accreditation,
Imaging, Community Management Tool and
Professional Services. John has been with GS1
Australia for over 11 years and was intimately
involved with the design and implementation of
EANnet and EANnet v2.0 in the Grocery, Liquor
and Health sectors. John oversees the GS1net
Operations and GS1net Technical teams
managed by Sean Sloan and Justin Middleton.
Sean Sloan – GS1net Operations Manager. Sean
manages the daily operations of GS1net which
includes supplier support, administration and
communications. The Client Services Team
and the Administration Team report to Sean.
Client Services Advisors – Mary Lo, Dina Jacotine,
Deborah Prince, Paula Davis and Alice Lau
(Maternity Leave from March 09) are the team
of GS1net Client Advisors who help companies
achieve the milestone of GS1net / NPC Ready as
well as provide day to day help desk support to
suppliers.
Sascha Boyd – Client Services Administrator.
Sascha provides help for those companies who
are registering for GS1net or the NPC and who
need assistance with their account as well as
GLN or CMT requests. Sascha also assists those
companies who may have forgotten their GS1net
Login or Validator details and helps with
registration processing and queries.
Justin Middleton – GS1net Technical Manager.
Justin, supported by John Papadopoulos, heads
up a new team that provides technical support
to the GS1net Community. Justin and John have
primary responsibility for assisting data recipients
to implement GS1net, support the GS1net
certified products programme, maintain the
GS1net Validator and provide technical expertise
to both retailers and suppliers.
For GS1net Client Services, please call
1300 366 033, Option 2. For Sean Sloan
please call (03) 9550 3492 or email
sean.sloan@gs1au.org
BACK

SUGGESTED OPTIONS TO
IMPROVE DATA LOADING AND
MAINTENANCE
We would like to bring to your attention a
number of available resources that will assist you
in managing both the initial load and ongoing
maintenance of your GS1net catalogues.
The use of products certified by GS1
(often known as Middleware) as a
method of managing GS1net data
maintenance.
These products are provided by GS1 Australia
Alliance Partners and have successfully passed the
GS1net Certification Program; these applications
fully comply with GS1net requirements.
GS1 Australia generally recommends the
use of appropriate middleware particularly
where catalogues are frequently maintained,
where integration with existing systems is
required or where you need to implement the
ability to automatically identify changes in
your back office data that requires updating
within GS1net. In these cases the Browser
Upload Template would not be the preferred
solution for data upload and maintenance.
Benefits of products certified by GS1net:
• Will validate your data for you before it is sent
to GS1net, thus reducing potential errors
• Can provide integration with existing back
office systems
• Are generally scalable to suit clients from a
quite small size to a very large size of catalogue,
and to cope well with growth in product data
• Can perform most of the tasks needed for
successful daily GS1net transactions, reducing
the need to access the GS1net online interface
• Updates and version upgrades to the GS1net
platform and requirements will be handled
by the GS1net middleware provider, thus
‘shielding’ most users from required changes
• Allow for a more integrated and sustainable
approach to data management than a
spreadsheet or keying data directly into
GS1net online
• Can be a cost effective way to manage data
without making major updates to existing
ERP systems
• Improve the effectiveness and efficiency
of business processes associated with
the management of GS1net data
• May additionally allow for broader product
data management facilities for data required
for internal systems or other processes
• The solutions can double as a consolidated
product ranging and pricing database for
those companies that do not have ERP
systems or any centralised database system
For more information on GS1net Certified
Products and contact details for Alliance Partners
please check www.gs1au.org/services/gs1net/
certification_program/certified_products.asp
Use of GS1 Australia’s Professional Services
Team to manage or assist with your project
implementation
Benefits:
• GS1’s Professional Services team is frequently
assisting companies for this same task, their
understanding of the requirements will save
you time and money
• The team is intimately aware of all the data
requirements and business rules and how best
to source and maintain the information required
• Work can be performed onsite at your premises,
ensuring the Professional Services team
promptly gains a detailed understanding
of your products and processes

• The Professional Services team is well versed
in project management skills. They can either
manage, or play a supporting role, in your
overall GS1net implementation project
• Training programmes are available from ½
to multiple days at GS1 Australia or onsite
to best suit your needs
• A range of implementation project options
are available ranging from 2-3 days to larger
engagements of 20 -40 days depending
on client complexity and support needs
• Can work closely with middleware Alliance
Partners to install the best possible solution
for your requirements
Please contact GS1 Australia’s Professional
Services & Consulting team on 1300 366 033,
Option 4, then 3 again or for more information,
or www.gs1au.org/services/professional_
services/gs1net_implementation/
Access to the GS1net Client Services Team
Benefits:
• All suppliers are allocated their own Client
Services Advisor (CSA) to support you in
the use of GS1net
• CSA’s are working daily with similar companies
to assist and prepare them to become GS1net
Ready and to synchronise via GS1net
• All GS1net users are entitled to unlimited
phone support from the Client Services Team
• CSA’s have a deep understanding of the data
set and the rules applied in the various systems
• CSAs can guide users through the required
documentation needed to complete the
various steps of becoming GS1net Ready
• CSAs can perform offline validation during the
process to help determine where errors may be
Please contact GS1 Australia’s GS1net Client
Services team on 1300 366 033, Option 2, then
Option1, or for more information click here
www.gs1au.org/services/gs1net/support.asp
BACK

WHO IS USING GS1net?
The GS1net community of Data
Recipients has grown significantly
over the past 12 months to a
point where we have multiple
sectors becoming active at once.
Whilst initially the data pool was
designed for the needs of the
Supermarket and Liquor sectors,
growth into Health, Hardware and
Automotive Aftermarket has seen
a range of new data recipients
enter the market looking for
data via GS1net based on their
own sector requirements.
Those retailers / data recipients actively seeking data NOW are:
Data Recipient Sector Contact Details
Coles GR Alisha Spargo (03) 9804 1916
Metcash / IGA-D inc ALM GR / LQ Michael Haire (02) 9741 3099
Campbells Wholesale GR Michael Haire (02) 9741 3099
Foodstuffs (NZ) GR / LQ Ana Connor +64 3 353 8697*
Mitre 10 New Zealand Hardware Roger Nickerson +64 9 443 9900*
ITM (NZ) Hardware Mannan Bohra +64 9 415 2794*
Warehouse Stationary (NZ) Stationary Richard Munro +64 9 481 9434*
NEHTA Health Joanne McDiarmid (07) 3023 8422
ACT Health Health Adrian Scott (02) 6205 0867
Dept. of Health & Community (NT) Health Rick Gowing (08) 8999 2808
Dept. Health & Human Services (TAS) Health Mohammed Huque 0400 380 430
Dept. of Human Services (VIC) Health Peter Lewis (03) 9096 9192
Health Support Services (NSW) Health Valentino Bulaon (02) 8644 2051
Department of Health (SA) Health Paul Broadbridge (08) 8204 1823
Health Corporate Network (WA) Health Rory Whittaker (08) 6444 5187
Queensland Health Health Peter Laing (07) 3006 2945
Advantage Pharmacy Health Michael Pearson (03) 8795 7474
Liquor Marketing Group (LMG) Liquor Jorg Both (02) 8737 6604
Independent Liquor Group (ILG) Liquor Roger Miller (02) 9675 8400
Liquor Merchants Australia P/L (LMA) Liquor Sandra Przibilla (08) 9444 4422
* Dialing from mobile or 0011 from a landline

If you would like extra information
on what is happening in your sector,
www.gs1au.org/industry/
index.asp#industries
It is hoped that through 2009, the following data recipients will also be in a position
to accept data via GS1net:
Data Recipient
Sector
Repco
Danks
Mitre 10 Australia
BOC Gases
Symbion Pharmacy Services
Clifford Hallam Healthcare (CH2)
Auto Aftermarket
Hardware
Hardware
Hardware
Health
Health
Some of the GS1net data recipients include:
BACK

UPCOMING GS1net WEBINAR
TRAINING SESSIONS:
You are invited to attend our first
GS1net (and NPC) Webinars for 2009!
GS1 Australia is proud to present a
new series of 3 Webinars for all users.
Each has a different focus and all will
be of great value to your company.
These sessions are primarily
targetted for new users or as a
refresher for existing users.
Webinar No. 1
Introduction to GS1net
• An introduction to GS1net including tips
to get started
• Designed for people who may just be
starting out on the data synchronisation
journey and are looking to become familiar
with some of the key concepts and terms.
• This session will also cover a number of tasks
you will need to perform when using GS1net.
Webinar No. 2
Working with the Browser Template
• Getting the most out of the Browser
Template
• For companies that are using the Browser
Template, a must attend session on how
to get the most out of this tool
• Working with item and pricing records
(adding, deleting..)
• All basic concepts will be covered plus
a number of more advanced uses of
this tool
NOTE: Webinar 2 is a pre-requisite to Webinar 3
unless using GS1net Certified Products
Webinar No. 3
Publishing and reporting within GS1net
• Publishing data to Trading Partners
• Aimed at all companies using GS1net / NPC
• The GS1net application and reports
covered in more detail, such as the
Validator and Data Load Status Report
• Areas of GS1net you may still need to
access even if using GS1net Certified
Products
• Optimising the Search & Download
functionality
• And more….
Check following page for training session
times and dates...

DATE/SESSION 24 TH FEB 25 TH FEB 26 TH FEB
WEBINAR 1
Introduction to GS1net
WEBINAR 2
Working with the Browser Template
WEBINAR 3
Publishing and reporting within GS1net
9am 12pm 3pm
12pm 3pm 9am
3pm 9am 12pm
Dates
24 – 26 February
Times
• 9 sessions in total
• Sessions will run for approximately 1 hour
• Each Webinar will be run once per day over the 3 days
at a different time each day
Please refer to GS1 Australia’s events section for future dates
www.gs1au.org/events/index.asp
Registration
Please call Melinda Beales on 03 8581 5905 or email
melinda.beales@gs1au.org to register. Webinar/teleconference
details will be provided upon registration.
Cost:
Complimentary
BACK

UPCOMING GS1net CLASSROOM
TRAINING SESSIONS:
GS1net is running detailed training
sessions in early March that
will assist you with the use and
implementation of the GS1net
system within your organisation.
The training sessions will cover:
• GS1net key data attribute requirements - this
will cover everything your customers require
from you to load and maintain your products.
• Data Validation (& validation rules)-
a new feature of GS1net that validates your
data each time you load it. Be aware that if
validation fails, the data validation process will
block your files for critical errors. It is critical
that you understand these requirements to
ensure continuity of data synchronisation.
• Publishing data - This is a key task as data
cannot be viewed by your trading partners
until it is published directly to them.
• Online interface / Browser Template -
GS1 will demonstrate the system including the
publishing function. This will be completed
using the online interface and browser template
(excel) in order to demonstrate the process
and data set.
• GS1net Certified Products (Middleware) - Whilst
the online / browser template interface will be
used to demonstrate the data requirements,
GS1 Australia does recommend you consider
GS1net Certified Products (Middleware).
Details of these solutions will be presented.
Check following page for training session dates
and locations...

COST
$250 + GST
TO REGISTER
Please contact Melinda Beales, GS1
Australia on (03) 8581 5905 or via
email melinda.beales@gs1au.org
to reserve your seat.
For more information about the
agenda and times, please visit this
GS1 website www.gs1au.org/events/
index.asp
DATE
Tuesday 31st March
Wednesday 1st April
Thursday 2nd April
LOCATION
Sydney
GS1 Australia Botany office
Lakes Business Park
Unit 4B, 2-4 Lord Street
Botany (parking details to be provided on registration)
Brisbane ( Pending Numbers)
Christie Conference Centre
320 Adelaide Street
Brisbane (parking details to be provided on registration)
Melbourne
GS1 Australia Mt Waverley office
Axxess Corporate Park
Unit 100/45 Gilby Road
Mt Waverley (parking details to be provided on registration)
BACK

DIAL REMOVAL
In January 2009, The Department of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
announced that the Dairy Industry
Adjustment Levy, that has been
in place now since July 2000, is to
be removed. The date set for this
removal is Sunday 22 February 2009.
The 11cents per litre levy was
introduced by the Government to
assist in the deregulation of the milk
industry, payable by producers, but
has been built into the cost structure
of milk products now for over 8 years.
How does this affect you?
All suppliers that have Australian Milk Levy
(DIAL) in their catalogue will need to simply
delete the value they have in their catalogue
the next time they update that GTIN. No
adjustment to List Price is required. By law,
retailers will need to have made any adjustments
to the retail price by Monday 23 February.
GS1 Australia will not be deleting historical
data or modifying the Browser Template to
enable companies to access DIAL related data
in the future, possibly for reporting reasons.
We are planning to introduce a Validation
Rule that will stop companies uploading
DIAL data after this date. We are also reviewing
the User Interface screens and supporting
documentation to highlight this field is no
longer required to be populated.
For those companies using a GS1net Certified
Product (middleware) similar activity will
also be taking place, however please check
with your provider to ensure that at your
next upload, this data is no longer present.
If you need help?
Please feel free to contact GS1 Australia if you
would like some assistance on 1300 366 033,
Option 2. For Sean Sloan please call
(03) 9550 3492 or email sean.sloan@gs1au.org
BACK

USING CERTIFIED
GS1NET PRODUCTS
GS1net Certified Products are available
from GS1 Australia’s Alliance Partners
who have worked collaboratively with
GS1 Australia to ensure their solutions
meet a minimum set of criteria required
to successfully implement GS1net.
Partners can become accredited for an
individual industry sector or all sectors.
For more information please go to
www.gs1au.org/services/gs1net/certification_
program/certified_products.asp
COMPANY NAME
Product Name
Load Method
Solution For
COMPANY NAME
Product Name
Load Method
Solution For
COMPANY NAME
Product Name
Load Method
Solution For
COMPANY NAME
Product Name
Load Method
Solution For
COMPANY NAME
Product Name
Load Method
Solution For
COMPANY NAME
Product Name
Load Method
Solution For
COMPANY NAME
Product Name
Load Method
Solution For
Bizcaps
Bizcaps GS1net Connect v1
GS1/XML
Data Sources (Suppliers)
Innovit
iICE Adaptor (GS1net v1.0)
GS1/XML
Data Sources (Suppliers)
Leadtec
InSynch v9.0
GS1/XML
Data Sources (Suppliers)
Pacific Commerce
Distributor v4
DDF
Data Sources
Pronto
PRONTO-Xi iSupplyGLobal
GS1/XML
Data Sources (Suppliers)
Sterling Commerce
Gentran Integration Suite
GS1/XML
Data Sources
Tibco
TIBCO Collaborative
Information Manager
Release 7
GS1/XML
Data Sources (Suppliers)
PRODUCT CERTIFIED FOR THE FOLLOWING SECTORS
GROCERY LIQUOR HEALTH
YES YES YES
YES YES YES
YES YES YES
YES YES YES
YES YES NO
YES YES YES
YES YES NO
BACK

GS1NET SYSTEM CHANGES –
VERSION RELEASE 28 MARCH 2009
“ GS1net Technical Team is a new
team responsible for supporting
data recipients as they implement
GS1net. The Client Services Advisors
provide 2nd level support to technical
queries. We also monitor all of the
systems that impact GS1net. Currently
we are helping in the work to make
GS1net more user friendly. Ongoing
improvement to the GS1net Validator
is also a key focus of the team. “
Justin Middleton -
GS1net Technical Manager
GS1 Australia is currently working on a scheduled
release of GS1net for production deployment
on 28 March 2009. This release is required in
order to maintain compliance to the Global Data
Synchronisation Network (GDSN) standards.
The overall impact of this release is considered
very minimal to all users, but will require some
slight modifications for some users depending
on the supplier’s method of upload. The release
information was initially provided at the
November 2008 User Groups in Sydney and
Melbourne and is now around 6 weeks from
being implemented.
In summary:
• A new version of GS1net is being launched on
the 28th March 2009.
• The GDSN message standard is changing from
version 2.2 to 2.3, which is the first impact to
our community in over 18 months. GS1net
must support this new message format.
• The data model changes are limited in our
community to:
›› Hazard information (becomes optional)
›› Warranty information (affects Office Supplies
community)
›› Price information (A couple of key changes
that will affect the entire community)
By and large, the impacts of these changes will
be transparent to our users but activity is required
depending on your method of catalogue
maintenance.

• Online Users – Unless in Office Suppliers,
no action required. Where affected, you
will be contacted by your GS1net Client
Services Advisor.
• Browser Template Users – All users of the
Browser (Excel) Template must obtain a new
version from the GS1 Australia website . This
new version will be available to download
from Monday 23rd March 2009. Your Client
Service Advisor will be available to assist you.
• Data Recipients eg Retailers / Wholesalers
/ Health Jurisdictions – These companies
have been separately engaged on an
individual basis to ensure readiness.
Should you require further information, please
contact our GS1net Client Services Team on
1300 366 033 – please select Option 2,
then 2 again.
• Middleware Users – Your solution provider
has been across these changes since GS1’s
October 2008 briefing and should be well
positioned to answer any questions you
may have about their required release.
• Suppliers who have built their own upload
(DDF or GS1 XML) – Detailed briefings were
held in December 2008 outlining all the
changes. Additional project support is available
via GS1 Australia’s Professional Services Team.
BACK

UPCOMING GS1net ACTIVITIES
DATE
February
Wednesday 18th
Tuesday 24th – Thursday 26th
March
Monday 16th
Monday 23rd
Saturday 28th
Tuesday 31st
April
Wednesday 1st
Thursday 2nd
May
Tuesday 26th
Thursday 28th
EVENT / ACTION
Phase 1 of Hiding Fields/Reducing Screens on Gs1net (Complete)
Launch of New GS1net Webinars
Beta Available for Version 7.4 for Solution Partners
New Browser Template Version Available
Phase 2 of Hiding Fields/Reducing Screens
New GS1net Release Deployed
GS1net Classroom Session - Sydney
GS1net Classroom Session - Brisbane
GS1net Classroom Session - Melbourne
NPC Seminars - Adelaide
GS1net User Group – Melbourne
GS1net User Group – Sydney
BACK