Implementation details
This is what you need to consider in the implementation
How complex the transition from barcode to 2D code is depends largely on the individual circumstances, the objectives and the choice of product. For example, it is much easier to change the barcodes on a product where it is not integrated into the packaging layout but applied in the form of an adhesive label.
For a product like washing powder, where the EAN/UPC barcode has already been pre-printed on the empty packaging, the implementation is much more complicated. The only practical way would probably be to replace the barcode with GS1 DataMatrix codes that include a serial number in addition to the GS1 article number. In this way, the packaging can continue to be pre-printed, albeit with higher demands on the printing process and the filling process. In production, the packages are then filled as usual and the additional data is subsequently linked to the serial numbers in the ERP/PIM. However, this circumstance requires an exchange of master data at serial number level with the retail partners, who must then also be able to retrieve this data at all necessary points (such as the checkout environment).
Use our blueprints as a guide
In order to support you optimally during the implementation, we have developed blueprints for you. Please contact us if you need an additional blueprint.
Blue Print |
is being or has been piloted at |
Complexity |
|
---|---|---|---|
Replace EAN/UPC barcode with GS1 DataMatrix |
|
low |
|
Replace EAN/UPC barcode with GS1 DataMatrix for piece goods | Coop | medium | |
Replace EAN/UPC barcode with GS1 DataMatrix for variable-quantity fresh products | GS1 Belgilux | medium | |
Add EAN/UPC barcode with QR code and GS1 Digital Link | low | ||
Supplement or replace EAN/UPC barcode or GS1 DataMatrix with QR Code and GS1 Digital Link | high | ||
General serialization of products | high |
Blue Print: Replace EAN/UPC barcode with GS1 DataMatrix
Goals
- Reduction of the space required for the GS1 data carrier
- Use at the checkout (Point Of Sale) and in self-scanning
Steps
- Together with the supply chain partners involved in the process, determine which products are suitable for testing the transition.
- Define a schedule with your partners.
- Replace the EAN/UPC barcode with the GS1 DataMatrix code.
- Document your experience and the requirements that need to be met in your operation in order to start pilot projects with a trading partner.
Blue Print: Replace EAN/UPC barcode with GS1 DataMatrix for piece goods
Goals
- Add additional data such as MHD, batch number in the 2D code with the help of the GS1 Application Identifier (AI).
- Use at the checkout (Point Of Sale) and self-scanning
Steps
- Together with the supply chain partners involved in the process, determine which products are suitable for testing the conversion.
- Determine with your trading partner what additional data should be encoded in the 2D code in addition to the mandatory GS1 article number (GTIN).
- Consider the production process of the selected products and ensure that the additional data such as the BBD is available in the printing process.
- Contact your solution provider for the printing process and clarify whether the existing solution is capable of printing the necessary data in a GS1 DataMatrix.
- Check how you can cover the different requirements of your trading partners in your own production.
- Define a schedule with your partners.
- Replace the EAN/UPC barcode with the GS1 DataMatrix code.
- Document your experiences and the requirements that need to be met in your operation in order to start pilot projects with a trading partner.
Blue Print: Replace EAN/UPC barcode with GS1 DataMatrix for variable-quantity fresh products
Goals
- Use of the GS1 article number (GTIN) instead of the nationally unique GS1 article number (RCN) at best.
- Bar coding of product weight or individual price for quantity-variable fresh products
- Replacement of EAN/UPC barcodes by GS1 DataMatrix
- Using GS1 Application Identifier (AI) to add additional data such as MHD, batch number in 2D code
- Use at the checkout (Point Of Sale) and self-scanning
Steps
- Together with the supply chain partners involved in the process, determine which products are suitable for testing the conversion.
- Determine with your trading partner what additional data should be encoded in the 2D code in addition to the mandatory GS1 article number (GTIN).
- Consider the production process of the selected products and ensure that the additional data such as the BBD is available in the printing process.
- Contact your solution provider for the printing process and clarify whether the existing solution is capable of printing the necessary data in a GS1 DataMatrix.
- Check how you can cover the different requirements of your trading partners in your own production.
- Define a schedule with your partners.
- Replace the EAN/UPC barcode with the GS1 DataMatrix code.
- Document your experiences and the requirements that need to be met in your operation in order to start pilot projects with a trading partner.
Blue Print: Add QR Code and GS1 Digital Link to EAN/UPC Barcode
Goals
- Supplement EAN/UPC barcodes with QR codes that can be used for consumer engagement
- Add additional data such as MHD, batch number in the 2D code using the GS1 Digital Link standard
- Specify which web page is displayed if a consumer scans the QR code with their cell phone
Steps
- Together with the supply chain partners involved in the process, determine which products are suitable for testing the extension.
- Determine for your company what additional data should be encoded in the 2D code in addition to the mandatory GS1 article number (GTIN). This depends on the consumer needs you want to cover.
- Consider the production process of the selected products and make sure that the additional data is available in the printing process or can be pre-printed.
- Contact your solution provider for the printing process and clarify whether the existing solution is capable of printing the necessary data in a QR code. Take into account the space requirements.
- Add the QR code and GS1 Digital Link to the EAN/UPC barcode.
- Document your experience and the requirements that must be met in your operation in order to be able to start pilot projects with a trading partner.
Blue Print: supplement or replace EAN/UPC barcode or GS1 DataMatrix with QR code and GS1 Digital Link
Goals
- Add or replace EAN/UPC barcodes or GS1 DataMatrix with QR codes that can be used for consumer engagement
- Add additional data such as MHD, batch number in the 2D code using the GS1 Digital Link standard
- Determine which web page is displayed if a consumer scans the QR code with their cell phone
Steps
- Together with the supply chain partners involved in the process, determine which products are suitable for testing the extension.
- Determine for your company what additional data should be encoded in the 2D code in addition to the mandatory GS1 article number (GTIN). This depends on the consumer needs you want to cover and the requirements of your trading partners.
- Consider the production process of the selected products and ensure that the additional data is available or can be pre-printed in the printing process.
- Contact your solution provider for the printing process and clarify whether the existing solution is capable of printing the necessary data in a QR code.
- Replace the EAN/UPC barcode or GS1 DataMatrix with the QR code and GS1 Digital Link.
- Document your experience and the requirements that need to be met in your operation in order to start pilot projects with a trading partner.
Blue Print: General serialization of products
Goals
- Serialization of all products so that additional data can be exchanged with trading partners as consumer unit master data
- Most precise tracking and traceability
Steps
- Together with the supply chain partners involved in the process, determine which products are suitable for testing the extension.
- Determine for your company which and how the additional data should be exchanged as master data in addition to the serialized GS1 article number (SGTIN) encoded in the 2D code. This depends on the consumer needs you want to cover and the requirements of your trading partners.
- Consider the production process of the selected products and ensure that the additional data can be captured based on the serial numbers.
- Contact your solution provider for the printing process and master data exchange and clarify whether the existing solutions are capable of covering the necessary processes.
- Start serializing your products.
- Document your experiences and the requirements that must be met in your operation in order to start pilot projects with a trading partner.
Scan4Transport
Scan4Transport - Delivery made easy
Scan4Transport is a new global standard that allows transport and logistics service providers to their logistics processes across the entire supply chain - even without Internet access.
The SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code), encoded in a GS1-128 barcode, on the transport label is the basis for the unique identification of a transport unit. However, since not all delivery service providers work with the same system and hardly any data is exchanged between service providers, the information on the SSCC is often not available or arrives too late. Also, access to the information is not possible if there is no Internet connection.
With a 2D code (GS1 DataMatrix or GS1 QR Code) on the transport label, such information breaks can be prevented, as all data is directly encoded and retrievable in the 2D code. For this purpose, GS1 has defined additional GS1 Application Identifiers and introduced the new GS1 standard Scan4Transport (S4T).
Thanks to S4T, much more transport data can be encoded in the 2D code than in the SSCC, which facilitates the delivery of shipments from the folder to the pallet. Address data, time window for delivery, earliest delivery time, hazardous goods and countless other information can be stored with it. Transport and logistics service providers as well as GS1 organisations from 22 countries participated in the development of the standard.
Documents
The new GS1 Application Identifiers
The new GS1 Application Identifiers
The two- to four-digit numbers in brackets clearly define the format and meaning of the subsequent data fields. Here is a selection of the new GS1 Application Identifiers (AI) used for transport processes:
AI | Data content |
---|---|
420 |
Recipient postcode |
4300 | Recipient - Company |
4311 | Return to - contact |
4321 | Indicator for dangerous goods |
4322 | Delivery without personal receipt |
4323 | Indicator for signature obligatory |
4324 | No delivery before date/time |
GS1 transport label with QR code and GS1 Digital Link
The delivery instructions are encoded in the GS1 DataMatrix on the transport label. This is what the data string with application identifiers looks like:
(00)376123450000001235
(4300)GS1Switzerland
(4301)Jan Eberle
(4302) Monbijoustrasse 68
(4305)Bern
(420)3008
(4308)+41588007297
(4322)0
(4323)1
(4324)202108221800
GS1 transport label with QR code and GS1 Digital Link
GS1 transport label with QR code and GS1 Digital Link
The GS1 Digital Link standard, which is also new, is also suitable for use with S4T. The same GS1 identification logic remains in place and information captured once can thus be made available for different suppliers in the supply chain and adapted continuously and on short notice, if required.
If the structure of the GS1 Digital Link standard is used for S4T, a URL is encoded in the 2D code, which can be used to retrieve all information about the shipment. The SSCC linked to the shipment is embedded in this URL. Since the data can be accessed here via the Internet, last-minute changes (such as last-minute address changes by the customer) are possible.
The delivery instructions are encoded in the 2D code on the transport label. This is what the data string with application identifiers looks like: