Transora, UCCnet, and Top CPG Firms Partner to Develop DSD Data Synchronization
CHICAGO - Transora, the B2B exchange for CPG manufacturers, has announced that UCCnet, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods/Nabisco, PepsiCo and Sara Lee Bakeries have formed a steering committee led by Transora to define, develop and implement a data synchronization solution that meets the requirements of DSD manufacturers and the retailers they serve. The objective of the initiative is to add DSD-specific functionality to the Transora Data Catalogue and UCCnet's GLOBALhub to facilitate information exchange at the store level.
According to studies conducted by the Grocery Manufacturers of America, DSD All Commodity Volume (ACV) represents 25 percent of volume shipped to retailers in the U.S. and 80 percent of the invoices. Developing a solution for DSD data synchronization will benefit both retailers and manufacturers by reducing invoicing errors, out of stocks, and lost sales.
"Improving the quality and speed of information exchanged with our retail partners will reduce inefficiencies and costly errors that result from bad data," said Dan Marr, chief customer officer, Coca-Cola Enterprises. "DSD has unique data synchronization requirements, and we believe that we must work together to create a solution that goes beyond proprietary solutions available today."
Some manufacturers and retailers already are piloting proprietary systems to exchange DSD information with retailers. However, these systems haven't incorporated the global standards expected in 2003. To address this problem, the steering committee was formed to create a standards-compliant, industry-based solution that can be rapidly and efficiently deployed.
Judy Sprieser, CEO of Transora, said the committee will work closely with both the Global Commerce Initiative and Grocery Manufacturers of America DSD committees to build from their success and avoid duplication of efforts.
Using Transora's Data Synchronization solution as the foundation for this service, the committee will solicit retail partners to participate in a U.S. pilot in the second quarter of 2003 and expects to have a solution generally available in the third quarter of 2003. Item synchronization, item pricing and promotional pricing will be included in the solution.
According to studies conducted by the Grocery Manufacturers of America, DSD All Commodity Volume (ACV) represents 25 percent of volume shipped to retailers in the U.S. and 80 percent of the invoices. Developing a solution for DSD data synchronization will benefit both retailers and manufacturers by reducing invoicing errors, out of stocks, and lost sales.
"Improving the quality and speed of information exchanged with our retail partners will reduce inefficiencies and costly errors that result from bad data," said Dan Marr, chief customer officer, Coca-Cola Enterprises. "DSD has unique data synchronization requirements, and we believe that we must work together to create a solution that goes beyond proprietary solutions available today."
Some manufacturers and retailers already are piloting proprietary systems to exchange DSD information with retailers. However, these systems haven't incorporated the global standards expected in 2003. To address this problem, the steering committee was formed to create a standards-compliant, industry-based solution that can be rapidly and efficiently deployed.
Judy Sprieser, CEO of Transora, said the committee will work closely with both the Global Commerce Initiative and Grocery Manufacturers of America DSD committees to build from their success and avoid duplication of efforts.
Using Transora's Data Synchronization solution as the foundation for this service, the committee will solicit retail partners to participate in a U.S. pilot in the second quarter of 2003 and expects to have a solution generally available in the third quarter of 2003. Item synchronization, item pricing and promotional pricing will be included in the solution.