A trip to the data pool

Crunching excavator

Product Master Data Manager, Lomax

Text:

Casper Hindse

Photo:

Kasper Løftgaard

How do you use GS1 in your everyday life?

- We have well over 35,000 items in many different categories in our assortment. They each require their own datasets. It's a complicated process, but since we partnered with GS1 a year ago (in 2022 ed.), it's been a completely new experience to handle data in our food category. I see it as a success that can continue and where GS1 and Lomax can continue to learn from each other.

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

- I would say that if we didn't have GS1, we would have to deal with our suppliers and their goods one at a time. Our ERP system, which handles our data, can talk to GS1 if we 'map' it correctly. GS1 has made that process simple. This is of great benefit to both us and our suppliers.

- Our suppliers provide us with the best possible service, and in the same way, we want them to feel that data is simple. When they upload data to GS1, all their customers who are GS1 members can access it there, rather than having to enter it again and again in several places.

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

- When we considered working with GS1, we realized that we could save hours for a full-time position on quality checking and data entry. Some of the data we receive today is really complicated, but GS1 manages to break it down in a way that makes it easy to work with. In addition, GS1 has a very good grasp of the regulatory jungle that you have to deal with when selling goods. Therefore, GS1 can guide both data suppliers and data recipients.

- It becomes more accurate when there is a unifying function like GS1. The fewer times things have to be entered into a system, the less likelihood of errors. In addition, we don't have to find the data we need in many different places. Our suppliers can spend time working on their products and we can spend our time selling them in the best possible way. Plus, there's a lot of customer service in making sure our customers get all the relevant information about the products they buy.