ECRA Working Group - Order to Receipt Excellence

Work is being undertaken by a standing networking group to promote industry approaches to developing solutions against B2B issues previously highlighted including further opportunities to drive business systems standards in the industry.

The group whose members include retailers, manufacturers/suppliers and GS1Australia meet four times annually against a work plan which includes:

• Developing and supporting implementation of a standardised industry approach to enabling receipt of multiple batch/use-by codes on consolidated pallets of a single SKU. Industry guidelines relating to this project can be accessed by clicking here
• Undertaking a review of opportunities to optimise the use of Operational Logistics components of B2B E-commerce for internal stock transactions, upstream supplier transactions and with small-medium sized trading partners.
• Reviewing the underlying issues behind the poor levels of master data alignment across manufacturers and retailers and drive improvement.

Contact John Cawley for more information.

ECRA Working Group - Loss Prevention Forum

The ECRA Loss Prevention forum consisting retailers, suppliers and academic partners, seeks to provide thought leadership in the area of shrinkage.

The group meet four times annually against a current work plan which includes:

• Delivery of Loss Prevention seminars. Click here for seminar details
• Release of the Academic research paper Staying Ahead of the Game

Contact John Cawley for more information.

News from GS1 Australia

Introducing GS1 SmartMedia - The Smart Solution by GS1 Australia

GS1 SmartMedia is GS1 Australia’s industry solution for managing and sharing up-to-date and authenticated images, multimedia files and other product related digital assets and data with trading partners.

Developed by GS1 Australia and GS1 New Zealand in collaboration with national retailers, suppliers and the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC), GS1 SmartMedia allows manufacturers, retailers and other trading partners to exchange all kinds of product related multimedia files and digital assets for the production of printed collateral, websites, Point-of-Sale, mobile apps and general promotional use.

“Our new GS1 SmartMedia service is an exciting initiative that will help businesses face the challenges of today’s online revolution by providing a single source of visually engaging multimedia and digital assets to share with trading partners,” said Maria Palazzolo, CEO of GS1 Australia.

Metcash has recently announced its decision to implement GS1 SmartMedia as part of their new digital platform as a key vehicle to enable suppliers’ products to be faithfully represented and ensure a fulfilling consumer experience.

To find out more about GS1 SmartMedia, please watch this short video, download the GS1 SmartMedia flyer or register for a FREE GS1 SmartMedia Introductory Webinar for further information and a chance to ask questions.

Alternatively, register now for GS1 SmartMedia to enjoy the many benefits of this new service or contact Andrew Steele, Industry Manager at GS1 Australia on 1300 BARCODE (1300 227 263) or email asteele@gs1au.org.

GS1 Standards for the Foodservice Industry

Key stakeholders in the Australian Foodservice Industry have identified the need to develop a common set of supply chain standards

The focus is now on optimising the Australian Foodservice Industry by introducing and adopting the GS1 System of supply chain standards to gain the benefits of best practice.

Ann Tindale, Senior Advisor – Industry Engagement at GS1 Australia said, “By adopting GS1 standards, the Foodservice Industry has recognised the benefits of accurate trusted data to share with trading partners and a simplified supply chain system, reduced costs and an increase in business efficiencies.”

The first stage of this Foodservice Industry initiative is the introduction of a Call To Action for all suppliers to start the adoption process of GS1 standards across the sector.

GS1 Australia is also busy taking this initiative to industry by hosting Foodservice Seminars in Sydney on 19^th August and Melbourne, 21^st August. Register now to secure your place at one of these seminars where you will learn about the need to improve order and supply practices, decrease operating costs and enhance customer service levels across the entire Foodservice Sector.

For further information on this Foodservice Industry initiative, please contact Ann Tindale, Senior Advisor – Industry Engagement on (03) 8581 5934 or email ann.tindale@gs1au.org to find out more.

Global News

ECR Asia Pacific Conference and Exhibition - Collaborating for a Better Future

The 14th ECR Asia Pacific Conference and Exhibition brings together supply chain experts in the consumer products manufacturing, distribution, wholesaling and retailing industries within APAC to share best practices in collaborative management to serve customers better, faster and at less cost throughout the supply chain. The conference is being held in Hong Kong over the 4-5 November 2014.

Click here for further information.