GS1 System

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

eCom is a GS1 term used for the Electronic Data Interchange technology, which can be defined as the transfer of structured data, by agreed message standards, from one computer application to another, by electronic means and with minimal human intervention.

GS1 eCom provides global standards for electronic business messaging that allow rapid, efficient and accurate automatic electronic transmission of agreed business data between trading partners. GS1 eCom Communication Standards, by using GS1 Identification Keys such as GTIN, GLN and

SSCC, provide an unambiguousy identification of products, services and parties involved in any transaction. It enables electronic exchanges to be smoothly compatible, between companies, and also across borders and across industries. Furthermore, GS1 eCom enables the direct integration of data

captured during the scanning of products sold in retail, during logistic activities and so forth. It saves users from a costly and time-consuming mapping of proprietary identification schemes – because the same GS1 ID Keys which are used to collect data at the retail point of sales or during logistic activities while despatching and receiving of goods are also used here.

GS1 eCom integrates a catalogue of business messages that form the basis for a comprehensive and smooth flow of business processes. It includes trade, financial and transport messages that allow electronic message exchanges to be smoothly compatible between trade partners (Vendor, Buyer, Bank, Third Part Logistics Providers).

GS1 eCom provides two complementary standards for business messaging:

• GS1 XML

• GS1 EANCOM^®

They both allow a direct link between the physical flow of goods or services, and information related to them. A GS1 pallet label is attached to pallet-load of goods to be shipped. An EDI message containing the information is dispatched to the buyer. When the goods arrive at the buyer’s site, they are scanned and the information contained in the pallet label match the information in the EDI dispatch advice.

GS1 EANCOM^® (like UN/EDIFACT) follows the “document-centric” approach. This means that GS1 EANCOM^® messages are electronic documents equivalent to paper business documents, represented in machine readable format, possible for electronic exchange. On the other hand, GS1 XML follows the “process-centric” approach. In other words, GS1 XML messages do not represent paper docs, they are created based on user requirements for business data exchange between trading partners. The difference then between GS1 EANCOM^® and GS1 XML is that GS1 XML messages are different from documents used in the “paper world” while GS1 EANCOM^® messages mimic documents used in the “paper world”.