Woolworths Australia has implemented an electronic messaging system, which will allow product data to be transferred between the company and its suppliers.
GS1net serves to replace paper forms, which the supermarket chain had previously used, and allows suppliers to automatically synchronise their master data — such as descriptions, weights, dimensions and pricing — with the Woolworths system.
Suppliers can also publish data to more than one retailer, have more accurate data and make faster changes to master data. Messaging in the network also complies with the global data synchronisation network (GDSN) standard for data messages.
Woolworths general manager for Longlife Buying, Stephen Bate, said the company sees GS1net as an opportunity for trade partners to reduce the cost of doing business.
“Whilst the process of rolling out GS1net is only just beginning at Woolies, we look forward to on boarding more of our vendors over the coming months,” he said in a statement.
GS1net was developed by GS1, a global not-for-profit organisation, which develops global standards for supply chain management. It has 16,000 members in Australia ranging from SMEs to large enterprises.
The electronic messaging implementation follows Woolworths' venture into consumer smartphone applications with an Android-based app.
The app allows users to find their nearest store via GPS, and access offers for Everyday Rewards members and fuel savings vouchers.
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