EDI Standards
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION STANDARD PUBLISHED BY JIG
30th September 2004
New standards for electronic communication within the newspaper and magazine supply chain have been published by a sub-group of the Joint Industry Group (JIG).
Increased use of electronic communications between wholesalers and retailers is expected over time to give the retailer significant cost savings and other benefits. These include reduced paperwork, enhanced inventory processes, better stock control and reduction in the cost of processing unsolds.
However, for the benefits to be fully realised, common standards need to be in place for everyone to use. This means that both wholesalers and retailers will only need to work with one set of electronic messages regardless of whom they are trading with.
“We work in one of the fastest moving supply chains in the world and it’s important that this is supported by efficient and effective exchange of data,” says Martin Ashford, chair of the Electronic Communications Group.
“For any retailer, seamless electronic communication with their wholesaler must be an attractive idea. The potential benefits will vary from retailer to retailer, largely dependent on the level of development of their systems, processes and procedures.
“We won’t become a paperless supply chain overnight but this work is intended to start the process of streamlining and speeding up communication across the supply chain.”
The new standards cover a number of areas:
- delivery information
- invoicing and crediting
- recall advice
- promotional allocation advice
- EPoS data
- product information
The standards have been developed through discussions between interested retailers and the multiple wholesalers. The support of retail associations including the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the Association of News Retailing (ANR) and the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) has also been vital.
“While multiple retailers may have the greatest potential for using electronic communication, we hope that the standards can also be built into Epos systems for use by the independent sector. Making the most of electronic trading calls for a real partnership approach. The next step is for willing partners to move to a trial implementation of the standards,” concludes Ashford.
Copies of the standard may be obtained from trade associations or by emailing martin.ashford@ft.com.
