DataBar - Irish Success Story

The GS1 System - An Overview
The GS1 System is a set of global standards which enable the unique identification of all trade items, processes, services, assets, companies and locations at any point in the supply chain. The system can be used by all industries to facilitate trade by combining unique identification numbers with data carriers (barcodes) and electronic commerce processes (EDI).

The main components of the GS1 System are:

· Standard numbering structures for the identification of goods, services, shipments, assets, locations etc

· Data Carriers (typically a barcode) to represent the identification numbers in machine readable format

· eMessaging standards to transmit the captured data between trading partners.

GS1 numbers are globally unique, hence no product can be confused with another and they can be recognised by trading partners anywhere in the world. For more information on the different types of GS1 identification keys, click here.

The application of GS1 Standards can result in significant improvements in logistics operations, a reduction in paperwork costs, shorter order and delivery lead times, increased accuracy and better management of the whole supply chain. Significant cost savings are realised daily by user companies who have adopted the GS1 Standards because they apply the same solution of communicating with all their trading partners.

GS1 Bar Codes: Standard Data Carriers	The identification numbers and other standard data can be translated into a machine readable form, better known as a bar code. A scanner is used to read the identification number and transmit it to a computer. There are many types of data carrier (or bar code symbol) and their use depends upon a number of factors including the type of number used, the item being bar coded and their environment in which the item will be scanned.
GS1 eCom: Standard Electronic Messages	The identification numbers are also used in electronic data interchange (EDI) messages to improve the speed and accuracy of data which is sent between trading partners.
GS1 GDSN: standards for product data sychronisation	GS1 GDSN is a set of standards for the definition and sharing of product data via a series of interlinked certified data pools. Members can access the GDSN Netwrok in Ireland via the GS1 Ireland Data Pool Service.
GS1 EPCglobal: standards for radio frequency identification (RFID) and RF networks	The final component of the GS1 System is a set of standards for RFID applications packaged under the brand name EPCglobal. EPC stands for Electronic Product Code which is a number stored on an electronic tag which can be attached to products to identify them and monitor their location throughout the supply chain. In very simple terms, EPC acts like an electronic bar code. However, the EPC number and tag, combined with the EPC Network will enable far reaching and dynamic applications in the future.