Type2Solutions and Total Produce co-host seminar on GS1 at ICT & Logistiek
During the seminar Hans Pannekoek, GS1 Specialist at Type2Solutions, showed how you can meet the GS1 Standard in 4 steps using practical examples. John Triel, IT Manager at Total Produce, followed by explaining how they brought the standard into practice. Total Produce is a specialist in overseas fruit and uses the Palletlabel + EDI SaaS Solution of Type2Solutions with which they optimize their logistic chain, delivering to the leading European retailers.
Hans, how do you support organizations with GS1?
Type2Solutions is an implementation partner of GS1. We help organizations with implementing the GS1 standard when it comes to product identification, barcode labelling and data exchange. We do this with our data- and label management solutions. Among others, our satisfied clients include Total Produce, Pelican Rouge Coffee Roasters, Erasmus MC, Ahold Delhaize and Nedzink.
How would an organization meet the GS1 standard?
It all starts with registering with GS1. Afterwards you can provide all your products with a product identification number that is unique worldwide. The third step is to translate this unique number (GS1 product number aka GTIN), to a barcode and to put this barcode on the product along with other relevant product information. The product is now recognizable and scannable at cash registers. The final step is to exchange relevant product data with your clients through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) messages, preventing mistakes and manual administrative work in the logistic chain.
What is an SSCC label?
“An SSCC label is also known as a GS1 label or a pallet label. SSCC stands for Serial Shipping Container Code, which is a code that’s present on each of these pallet labels. This globally unique number is based on the GS1 company prefix. The pallet label itself consists of three parts. The product data is shown in the middle part of the label, in a human readable format. The bottom part of the label shows the same information, but in barcode form. It’s possible that this part consists of multiple barcodes, and the last barcode always contains (at least) the SSCC.”
What is the ‘00’ that’s part of the text underneath the SSCC-barcode.
“The ‘00’ is called the Application Identifier (AI). This is an important concept within the GS1 Standard. It tells the barcode scanner which data follows so that it can be correctly interpreted. ‘00’ is used to announce the SSCC, while, for example, “02” means that the next data element is the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN).”
Why do retailers request the GS1 label in combination with the GS1 dispatch message?
“The combination of the two enables a fast and efficient goods receival. Ahold, for example, is currently building an automated distribution centre. For a streamlined process the GS1 pallet label must be applied to the right spot on the pallet, making it possible to scan it easily. The label must then be coupled to an electronic dispatch message (DESADV). In this EDI message is specified which products are on which pallets. This information will be used by the retailer’s system during the destacking of the pallet and the storing of the products. “
What are you most proud of?
“I’m incredibly proud of the fact that in the past 15 years we’ve been able to help so many companies comply with the GS1 standard. Even Ahold Delhaize uses our Palletlabel portal to supply incoming wine shipments of proper SSCC labels. If the GS1 Standard is easy to implement? I’ll leave that for John Triel to answer.”
““Palletlabel is a SaaS solution. It is separate from our ERP system. The separation offers us a lot of flexibility. Palletlabel can generate customer specific labels and easily meet additional requirements of retailers. Type2Solutions has a great know-how and experience, including with the different retailers.”
