Product or Article Master Data
Foodstuffs operates an integrated National Product Information
Management system to ensure that we have the right information
about all of the products we buy and sell. Within Foodstuffs
we refer to information about Products as Article Master Data.
The below flowchart provides a high-level overview of the flow
of information relating to articles in the Foodstuffs systems:
Our business cannot run without accurate product information.
The data we need supports our business processes, from order
through to delivery and payment. So, the master data we need
relates not only to pricing and discounts, but also to units of
measure for inners, cartons, layers and pallets. The barcodes
(GTINs) for the respective measures must be accurate at all levels
of packaging as this is how we identify the products in the supply
chain.
All changes relating to the article must be submitted to
Foodstuffs via one of two methods:
- Data eXpress: this is an online system, housed on the
Foodstuffs Exchange, allowing suppliers to submit product
information via a web-based interface, with in-line validation to
ensure data accuracy.
- GS1 National Product Catalogue & GS1 ProductFlow: these
systems are managed and supported by GS1 New Zealand, allowing
suppliers to support either a full catalogue of products (NPC) or a
progressive catalogue of new products and product changes
(ProductFlow).
Both systems perform certain levels of validation on the
information entered by the suppliers, to ensure its accuracy and
that it meets the standards defined by both the Foodstuffs
companies and GS1.
This information is received into a National Foodstuffs Product
Information Management (PIM) system, where it is reviewed and
enriched by a National team (located in the South Island), before
being made available to the Local regions, to be consumed into the
respective systems.
The PIM system uses an application called Hybris, which enables
the National team to review submissions received, into a "Staged"
catalogue, for completeness, populate additional business-defined
information, and prepare the record for publication in an "Online"
catalogue. The prioritisation of submissions is determined by the
start availability of the product in the supply chain, as well as
requests from the Local regions for specific products. Once the
information is "Online" it is made available to both local
Foodstuffs companies (Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South
Island) to be used in their respective system for the creation of
an article.
Article Data with GS1 Product
Flow
GS1 Product Flow is a service that verifies your product is
ready for launch. It includes barcode verification (will it
scan), product data verification, and optional image capture.
All product data is verified by comparing the physical product to
the GS1 National Product Catalogue.
National Product Catalogue (NPC) is a data synchronisation
network managed by GS1 - a non-profit organisation that provides a
common language and global standards designed to improve supply
chain management.
With over 350 GS1 NPC Live and GS1 ProductFlow activated
suppliers, we share the benefits of synchronised product data,
reducing costs and inefficiencies from the supply chain.
Completed GS1 NPC and ProductFlow submissions are received into
the National PIM database, and once requested by our stores or
category teams, can be enriched and made available to the regional
Foodstuffs companies, ready for article creation in the Local
systems.
You can find out more about ProductFlow and sign up here: http://www.gs1nz.org/services/productflow/
Article Data with Data eXpress (DEX)
The Data eXpress (DEX) system was developed as part of the
OneData initiative as a mechanism for suppliers, who are unable to
access the services provided through GS1, to submit electronic
article information to the Foodstuffs group of companies.
The system is housed on the Foodstuffs
eXchange and provides suppliers a guided interface to the
completion of product information. This ensures complete and
accurate data, meeting the defined National Product Information
standards. Once a supplier has been approved and allocated a
trading account and login, they can start sending product
information via the DEX system.
The DEX system is designed to guide suppliers through the
various components of information required to make up an article
record. Through in-line validation and prompts, the supplier can
build a complete record for the specific product, eventually
submitting the information once all the required data has been
specified. Online context-sensitive help assists with the various
functions of DEX when logged in to the system.
Completed DEX submissions are received into the National PIM
database, ready to be requested by the regional Foodstuffs
companies for article creation in the Local systems.
Pricing Updates
Foodstuffs works with Foodstuffs Own Brands Limited(FOBL) to
schedule all changes to article pricing and terms, nationwide.
This includes change of ownership or distribution of articles or
change of company details that require new vendor accounts and the
transfer of articles from one vendor to another. All price changes
should be directed to price@foodstuffs.co.nz with
a letter of justification and a completed Supplier Price Adjustment
form (SPA), which can be located here:
http://suppliers.foodstuffs.co.nz/national-guidelines/price-adjustments.aspx
