A growing number of brand owners understand the need to ensure precise and detailed product data and images across all e-commerce channels, including mobile. Both manufacturers and retailers want to exercise more control over product data which is distributed across their entire supply chain all the way to the consumer. The requirements of the EU Food Information Regulation make the need for such accurate product description even more pressing and urgent. With sales figures and their reputation at stake, brand owners are determined to guarantee a consistently accurate customer experience worldwide, regardless of where the product information is showed.

According to global standards organisation GS1 UK, a couple of years ago roughly 3.5 per cent of total sales was lost each year because of supply chain inefficiencies, the bulk of which could have been eliminated had retailers and their suppliers been using synchronised product information. Partnerships such as collaboration of SA2 Worldsync with digital data management leader Brandbank were set up to satisfy the needs of producers and retailers who wished to increase their control over the capture and global distribution of rich product data. Firms of all sizes are keen on implementing product data management solutions that can reduce costly data errors, increase supply-chain efficiencies and realize value from effective data management.

From B2B and B2C to Data Syncing

The leading global provider of data synchronization and master data management services decided to team up with Europe’s biggest provider of digital images and product information for use in grocery e-commerce to provide Brandbank's customers with turn-key solutions in data management. Rich data supported by Brandbank, including label information, product videos and 360 spin photography is combined with SA2 Worldsync's industry- and region-specific data pools to equip users with the capability to generate, control and syndicate rich consumer-oriented content in any given location. Through the Brandbank service, SA2 Worldsync customers can capture and share digital product data globally via the Brandbank Assets SyndicatorTM platform as well as through access to the SA2 Worldsync data pools, which are certified by the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN). Collaboration of two giants sets a great example of how to successfully merge business-to-business experience in master data management and a strategic expertise in the business-to-consumer market to deliver a valuable service to manufacturers and retailers.

Trusted Source of Data- guarantee of error-free information?

Data quality can make or break a business. GS1 decided to set up the Trusted Source of Data (TSD) framework to support the communication of authentic and accurate product data by brand-owners to consumers/shoppers, retailers, internet application providers, and government using internet and mobile devices. One of the new standard's components, a standard data model focuses on basic and nutritional product information, but with the flexibility to easily add additional information in the future. TSD also contains messaging standards which allow data aggregators to communicate with each other via an “index”. The latter shows which aggregator holds trusted information for a given product. What are the benefits of TDS for brand owners? A new framework lets product information flow into the digital world. A single point of contact for companies to share their product information in digital format, it protects the brand, as both the brand experience and the “moment of truth” (consumer's purchase decision) are increasingly moving online. Importantly, brand owners can considerably increase their sales due to better and more accurate product information. Connecting to the digital world in a simple, efficient and scalable way, the framework also helps to enhance the shopping experience by enabling shoppers to make informed choices.

Sources: http://www.brandbank.com; http://www.gs1.org; http://www.a3w.fr; http://www.retail-week.com
Photo: http://www.imediaconnection.com/