The retail industry has seen several item data-related challenges in the last few years, such as mandates for UCCnet synchronization and requirements for electronic exchange of item data with syndicated retailers.
A solution should include the capability to meet the following requirements:
- UCCnet data synchronization
- Extensible Item master to accommodate various item requirements from other retailers not using UCCnet
- Synchronization of data with internal Item Masters
The UCCnet Solution
The implementation of UCCnet data synchronization is an example of combining the flexibility of OneData with a pre-defined structured model to provide a complete solution for the industry. It provides the added advantage of allowing customers to combine other sets of master and reference data with the UCCnet model to create a single home for all their item data. All this is accomplished with a lightweight, low cost implementation when compared to the heavyweight PIM solutions that are available.
The open architecture and data model of OneData allow users to access the data through other reporting or extraction tools without the use of restrictive proprietary application layers.
Standard UCCnet Features
The OneData solution for UCCnet provides the standard features required to integrate with UCCnet, including:
- Pre-defined model as per GDSN specifications for GTIN
- Market-specific attributes
- Pre-filled code lists for attributes
- XML message generation for synchronization with data pools
- Simplified web-based user interface to make it easier for users to manage the large number of attributes
- Extensible model to include additional non-UCCnet attributes for GTIN
- Embedded workflow to ensure the quality of data being synchronized with the data pools
Extensible Item Master
The need to exchange data with other retailers or data pools outside UCCnet/GDSN requires extension of the UCCnet model. The extensions of the model can be quite a big effort in a traditional GDSN only application. But with OneData's extensible framework, which is completely data driven, the extension of the UCCnet/GDSN model can be easily implemented. The extensions can come in stages as the company starts supplying to more syndicated retailers/subscribing to more data pools.
The built-in collaboration engine provides the governance framework to manage data better and to ensure data quality.
Some of the additional features of OneData that provide benefits in this context include:
- The presentation layer provides business users with easy-to-use screens hides the complexity of the underlying technology and data structures
- Several means of data interchange including database connect, Web Services, JMS Messaging, files
- Granular cell level security provides complete control for data access
- Integrated discussion forum
- Extensive auditing and logging functionality
Lightweight implementation to integrate several Item Masters
OneData allows you to not only bring in your item masters from different systems into the centralized repository, but also to maintain the mapping between the various systems' item codes and the GTIN. This process usually requires a complex implementation of multiple tools and technologies. However, OneData provides you with a lightweight solution to this complex problem.
- Single repository for all item masters
- Virtual or centralized
- Mappings can be defined in the centralized repository and are visible to everyone
- Open framework provides the flexibility for the customers to define their own model for the item masters and the mappings
- Customizable workflow rules to manage the data and the mappings
