LANSA Data Sync Direct
A complete solution for Product Information Management (PIM) and Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) participation
Also available: LANSA Data Sync Direct for the Healthcare Industry and LANSA Data Sync Direct for the Foodservice Industry
Data Synchronization encompasses the entire product data management process – from the moment a product attribute is conceived to how that product attribute will be used and consumed throughout every step in the supply chain process.
LANSA's Product Information Manager (PIM) – LANSA Data Sync Direct – is a complete end-to-end Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) Solution, designed to cater to the needs of demand- and supply-side implementations. It’s an out-of-the-box solution providing full-service functionality in a single affordable package.
LANSA Data Sync Direct makes it easy to manage product information and comply with Global Data Synchronization (GDS) and Data Quality initiatives – integrating and automating every step of the process from the creation of a product in a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system to its appearance in a retail catalog.
Manufacturers can quickly fulfill recipient (e.g., retailer, distributor, hospital) requests as well as benefit from the efficiency gains of end-to-end supply chain automation, while recipients can get instant access to accurate product data – allowing them to get products to shelf quickly and more efficiently.
LANSA Data Sync Direct is the only solution on the market that provides real-time item synchronization with multiple certified Data Pools such as 1SYNC, SA2 WorldSync, GS1 UK TrueSource Premium, GS1-DAS, etc.
It is an easy-to-use browser-based application that scales to fit any size of supply- or demand-side organization that wants to manage any amount of Stock Keeping Units (SKUs).
LANSA Data Sync Direct is a cross-platform, out-of-the-box Product Information Management (PIM) solution comprising four key components, each providing business benefits.
Master Data Management
Mater Data Management (MDM) is a business process, in which IT and software play an important role. MDM projects can address areas such as, Finance, Customers, Suppliers, etc., but in this case our focus is on Product.
MDM is primarily about setting master data policies. Product data will no doubt be held in multiple systems like your ERP, PLM, Accounts, Content Management, Catalog, etc. It’s also common to find duplicate information stored about a single product in multiple systems.
Part of LANSA's MDM approach is identifying each and every system and application where product data is stored /duplicated. Then a model is created that maps this information and specifies which source is the master; this is what we describe as master data policy setting.
LANSA Data Sync Direct contains a powerful integration engine that connects to all the identified systems and applications and maps that aggregated information into the PIM. As well as mapping, the policies are set for Create, Read, Update and Delete. Do you want the PIM to update master files and enterprise systems? You decide.
LANSA Data Sync Direct has been deployed at over 300 organizations and integrated with a multitude of enterprise systems across platforms such as: SAP, JD Edwards, BPCS, Aldata, Oracle, QAD, Lawson, Retalix, Retek and many others. Learn more about these installations
MDM Mapping for Supply-side
Once the mapping and integration is complete for supply-side implementations, the system is able to identify missing attributes from your product data records by comparing the product attributes you have against those that are required by a trading partner or standards body like GS1. LANSA Data Sync Direct allows you to store additional product attributes in its own database, where the information can be staged for update to enterprise applications or held on a permanent basis.
MDM Mapping for Demand-side
Once the mapping and integration is complete for demand-side implementations, the system is able to identify omissions in product data records by comparing the product attributes that have been supplied against those that you require or have requested. If a recipient's current systems are not capable or setup to receive GS1 standardized attributes, LANSA Data Sync Direct can store these attributes in its own database, where the information can be staged for update to enterprise applications at a later date or held on a permanent basis.
Data Quality Engine
Being unable to accurately transcribe handwriting or fax messages presents obvious challenges in any data input environment. So eliminating hand-keying and re-keying of data is the first step towards improving data quality. See Master Data Management for details.
The LANSA Data Sync Direct Solution can apply intelligent field validation to ensure that the data stored in your systems meets specific standards:
- Industry sector standards
- GS1 standards (completely built-in and maintained)
- Retailer and trading partner specific standards (support added as requested)
- Trade associations (support added as requested)
- Country (support built in for multi-currency, language and symbols)
- Custom data quality rules
The benefit of LANSA Data Sync direct looking after standards compliance is so you don’t have to. When standards change (as they often do) LANSA takes care of compliance. Adapting your own systems to align with standards places a heavy support burden on your IT resources – and if not maintained, can have serious consequences on data quality.
Data normalization is another feature that’s important when trying to maintain high levels of data quality. Currency, units of measure and date formats are usually the main culprits, so LANSA Data Sync Direct provides features to address these issues.
GS1 defines good quality data as complete, consistent, accurate, time-stamped and industry standards-based. By improving the quality of data, trading partners reduce costs, improve productivity and accelerate speed to market.
Good quality data is foundational to collaborative commerce and global data synchronization. GS1 GDSN calls for data quality programs that are sustainable and focused on the long term: experience has shown time and again that business benefits come not from enacting short-term curative data cleansing actions, but only from having good quality data from the start.
LANSA Data Sync Direct lays a positive foundation for organizations adopting the GS1 Data Quality Framework. This framework provides an industry-developed best practices guide for the improvement of data quality and allows companies to better leverage their data quality programs and to ensure a continuously improving cycle for the generation of master data. It details the crucial processes and capabilities that help organizations improve their data quality and maintain sustainable good quality data output.
Product Portfolio Management
Product Portfolio Management (PPM) is conducted using a simple interface that provides:
- A single view of aggregated product information that can be used across the business. Here you can centrally manage information about products, with a focus on the data required to market and sell through one or more distribution channels.
- A configurable workflow framework for automating and monitoring GTIN management throughout the enterprise.
Information accessed through the interface can be utilized by different parts of the business:
- Detailed product descriptions with pricing for Sales
- Product catalog photos for Marketing
- Product dimensional data for calculating freight costs for Logistics
The Product Portfolio Management interface is used to:
- Provide a single view of up-to-date product information for all users
- Generate custom product information views specific to a user’s role in an organization
- Provide links and references between internal product identifiers and GTINs
- Store rich attributes, images and marketing copy that cannot be stored in ERPs, PLMs
- Add and manage containment (package hierarchy) information
- Alert Trading Partners of changes to product information
- Normalize product data from multiple systems
Organizations benefit through:
- Reduced product data-related errors and exceptions, through automated workflow and streamlined processes
- Increased sales, through faster product introductions, improved time to market for catalogs, more efficient merchandising and channel management
- Reduced time and cost of manual product data cleansing and normalization
Item Publication Management
The final component that makes up LANSA Data Sync Direct is the Item Publication Manager (IPM). In Nirvana every trading partner would be using the GS1 system and subscribe to the Global Data Synchronization Network, but today that is not the case. While more organizations are opting to use the GDSN, there are very few (if any at all) that only use the GDSN for exchanging product information between trading partners.
To some manufacturers, the request from a recipient (e.g., retailer, distributor, hospital) to begin supplying product data via the GDSN is seen as an unnecessary expense that delivers little to no ROI. The manufacturer sees the request as yet another way to supply product data to add to their ever-increasing list of product publication schemas, templates, forms, spreadsheets, Webs portals, etc.
It’s a virtual guarantee that a manufacturer who supplies 20 recipients with the same product will be requested to supply that product data using 20 different methods. LANSA Data Sync Direct provides flexibility, easily presenting item details in the format requested by trading partners inside and outside of the GDSN.
In addition, LANSA Data Sync Direct can manage all product publication and subscription requirements, significantly reducing the amount of time and cost associated with managing the processes individually.
As well as supporting publish and subscription requests via multiple GDSN Certified Data Pools, LANSA Data Sync Direct allows supply- and demand-side organizations to send and receive product item data via EDI, XML and other data formats via multiple transportation protocols or via product portals.
Using this approach for product data publication accommodates any size business regardless of the number of product lines, GTINs, or trading partners.
Accreditations and Certifications
LANSA has been delivering product information management and GDS solutions since 2002. Today we have over 300 customers using LANSA Data Sync Direct fully integrated into their back-end systems, and even more using LANSA's hosted service. Our unique industry relationships have helped us further develop the product to meet the ever-changing demands of the market.
GS1
GS1 US serves more than 200,000 businesses in 25 industries in the United States by facilitating industry initiatives, administrating the GS1 System of standards, providing education and support, and connecting communities through events and online forums.
The GS1 UK Solution Partner program is for vendors that provide products, services and solutions that support the use of GS1 global supply chain standards. To become a partner a vendor must also be accredited in at least one of the GS1 standards. This accreditation assures GS1 members of LANSA’s knowledge of working with and maintaining compatibility with the GS1 standards. Read more...
LANSA became an Aspirant Solution Provider for GS1 Netherlands in 2007. LANSA Data Sync Direct is certified to connect to the GS1-DAS Data Pool that is powered by 1SYNC. Suppliers and retailers in the Netherlands can be assured by LANSA’s 300+ installations against 1SYNC technology to the latest release of the platform.
LANSA is a member of GS1 Healthcare US - an industry group that focuses on driving the adoption and implementation of GS1 Standards in the healthcare industry to improve patient safety and supply chain efficiency.
LANSA is a member of the Foodservice GS1 US Standards Initiative that facilitates GS1 standards adoption for complete and accurate data in the United States foodservice industry. Information synchronized includes baseline product attributes to facilitate the aligned exchange of complete and accurate product information among foodservice manufacturers, distributors, and operators.
ERP and Enterprise System Vendors
LANSA Data Sync Direct Version 6.6 has achieved Oracle Validated Integration with Oracle Product Hub 12.1. As a result, retailers, wholesale distributors, hospital networks, group purchasing organizations, private labelers and brokers are able to better manage GS1 item alignment activities via the GDSN directly from Oracle Product Hub. This includes the ability to issue Catalog Item Subscriptions; receive, evaluate and respond to inbound GTIN/product-related publications from suppliers; and view the results of GS1 Item Alignment activities in the Oracle Product Hub.
Lawson Software Selects LANSA to Extend Supply Chain Integration Capabilities of Lawson ERP Solutions. LANSA Data Sync Direct Solution to Provide Certified Item Data Synchronization for Lawson Healthcare Customers. LANSA announced a business partnership with Lawson Software to assist Lawson S3 Supply Chain Management customers to extend their supply chain integration capabilities to include GS1 standards-based item alignment via the GDSN using LANSA Data Sync Direct as their synchronization vehicle. Read more...
QAD partnered with LANSA to deliver LANSA Data Sync Direct along with QAD Enterprise Applications to customers in a variety of industries so that they can participate in the supply chain initiatives being driven by many large retailers and distributors. QAD selected LANSA based on its global presence, strong sales and support organization, and extensive experience in the data synchronization industry, making it a strong fit with QAD's business strategy.
Data Pool Certifications
To assist customers worldwide it’s important for LANSA to support multiple data pool platforms because each GS1 Member Organization (MO) has autonomy to select their own technology platform. Learn more about GDSN certified data pools
1SYNC is a GS1 Global Data Synchronization Network certified Data Pool that assures data quality across a plurality of industries and distribution networks. More than 4,000 leading manufacturers and retailers in the alcohol and beverage, automotive, drug, grocery, entertainment, hardlines (DIY), healthcare and office products industries are part of the 1SYNC community working with other GDSN-certified Data Pools. LANSA Data Sync Direct is certified for 1SYNC IM Source XML, 1SYNC IM Recipient XML and in full production with 1SYNC.
The GS1 UK Data Pool utilizes the SA2 WorldSync data pool platform under the title of TrueSource Premium. LANSA Data Sync direct has been certified by GS1 UK as capable of correctly and consistently implementing the listed GS1 standards and associated best practice.
| GS1 Identification Keys: | GTIN, GLN |
|---|---|
| Supplementary data: | Global Product Classification |
| Master data: | Catalogue and trade item |
| GDSN validation rules: | Global Validation Rules, Target Market Validation Rules |
| GDSN extensions: | Attribute Value Pair, FMCG, Food and Beverage, Hardlines, Healthcare, Music Recordings, Office Supplies, Promotional Trade Item and Regulatory Compliance |
| Communication format: | GS1 GDSN XML, CIN and AS2 |
The GS1 Netherlands Data Pool utilizes the 1SYNC data pool platform under the title of GS1-DAS. LANSA Data Sync Direct is certified for 1SYNC IM Source XML, 1SYNC IM Recipient XML and in full production with 1SYNC.
GS1 South Africa utilizes the 1SYNC data pool platform under the title of DATAnet.za. In order to offer a fully functional machine-to-machine data synchronization platform GS1 South Africa has partnered up with 1SYNC as their Certified GDSN Data Pool. 1SYNC is the largest certified data pool in the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN). LANSA Data Sync Direct is certified for 1SYNC IM Source XML, 1SYNC IM Recipient XML and in full production with 1SYNC.
LANSA and SA2 Worldsync have combined their efforts to promote adoption of GS1 standards and the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) to improve product data quality between trading partners in the Retail, Manufacturing, Distribution, Wholesale, Foodservice and Healthcare sectors. Read more...