A trip to the data pool

Knirke Bagger

Product Master Data Manager, Lomax

Text:

Casper Hindse

Photo:

Kasper Løftgaard

How do you use GS1 in your daily work?

– We have roughly 35,000 items across many different categories in our assortment. Each requires its own dataset. It is a complicated process, but since we began our partnership with GS1 a year ago (in 2022, ed.), managing data in our food category has been a completely new experience. I see it as a success that can continue, and where GS1 and Lomax can keep learning from each other.

How does the collaboration with GS1 contribute to and develop within your company?

– I would put it this way: if we didn't have GS1, we would have to contact our suppliers and their items one by one. Our ERP system, which handles our data, can communicate with GS1 if we 'map' it correctly. GS1 has made that process simple. It is a great benefit for both us and our suppliers.

– Our suppliers provide us with the best possible service, and in the same way, they should also find that dealing with data is simple. When they upload data to GS1, all their customers who are GS1 members can access it there, rather than having it entered again and again in multiple places.

What is the biggest difference between the time before the collaboration with GS1 and now?

– Back when we were considering starting a partnership with GS1, we found that we could save enough hours to equal a full-time position on quality checking and data entry. Some of the data we receive today is really complex, but GS1 manages to break it down in a way that makes it easy to work with. Furthermore, GS1 has a very good handle on the jungle of regulations you have to navigate when selling goods. Therefore, GS1 can guide both data providers and data recipients.

– It becomes more accurate when there is a central function like GS1. The fewer times things have to be entered into a system, the less likely there is to be an error. In addition, we don't have to find the data we need in many different places. Our suppliers can spend time on their products, and we can spend our time selling them as effectively as possible. Moreover, there is also a lot of good customer service in ensuring that our customers get all the relevant information about the products they buy.