When GS-1 member companies assign new GTINs base on product changes, there are certain rules that the must follow; a generic rule for all industries, and another industry specific rule. GTIN Allocation Rules are important because they provide a unique identification of products, forming the foundation for product data synchronization at an international level.

If your compay’s product requires a quantity change, packaging dimension change, language addition/change, or brand name change, you will also need a GTIN change and need to follow the specific GTIN Allocation Rules.

Since your product’s barcode should be linked with its GTIN, it is important to follow the allocation rules in order to keep all information on your product accurate. For more information on GTIN Allocation Rules, you can learn more here.

British Sky Broadcasting, a large subscription television service in the UK, needed a solution that would enable them to work more efficiently while providing their customers with superior service. In the past, engineers at Sky were equipped with PDAs, but because PDAs are a consume-grade product, they often broke and needed to be charged throughout the workday, slowing workers down. In terms of customer service, Sky also wanted to be able to provide a specific time frame so that customers would not get stuck waiting at home all day.

In order to accommodate all of their needs, British Sky Broadcasting turned to Intermec technologies for a complete solution— the Intermec CN3. As an industrial handheld computer with WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, a choice of WAN radio, a barcode scanner, and a 13-hour battery, the CN3 was sure to get the job done. With the Intermec CN3’s increased reliability, British Sky Broadcasting was able to provide its customers with the most accurate information possible regarding appoinment times. In addition, unlike their previous PDA solution, the Intermec CN3 was able to support custom software, making it easy for fleet engineers to keep the main office updated with their progress throughout the day in real time. Finally, perhaps one of the greatest advantages of supporting custom software is that engineers could order any part needed on-site.

While PDAs are great for consumer applications, they do not always live up to their expectations for industrial uses. By switching from a PDA to the Intermec CN3, British Sky Broadcasting was not only able to increase their efficiency, but also increase customer satisfaction, creating a win-win situation for all parties.

If your business is currently using a PDA type device, you should seriously consider upgrading to an industrial-grade product. Although there is an initial investment, industrial-grade mobile devices continue to prove to be a tremendous ROI and asset to the growth of the company.

If you’re interested in upgrading you consumer-grade mobile devices to industrial-grade devices such as the Intermec CN3, you can learn more here.

These days, efficiency is crucial in supply chain management; companies cannot afford to waste time or make mistakes. Surmounting pressures to perform at an above average level for a below average cost can be hard to deal with, but there are low-cost options that can help your company maximize its current investments to their fullest potential.

Rather than reducing logistic and supply chain costs, it’s important to realize that an initial low-cost investment can prove to be a tremendous ROI, saving money down the road. By using your current mobile devices and wireless networks to their fullest capabilities, you can run a more efficient and organized company, saving time and money in the long run.

If you’re wondering what you could possibly do, then you’re in luck. Barcoding Inc., in conjunction with LXE, Supply Chain Digest, and The Supply Chain Television Channel are hosting a webinar on how to make your current assets work more efficiently for you, with little to no capital investment, unlocking the hidden potential of your mobile devices. By listening in on the webinar, you’ll discover how to achieve:

• 40-50% faster cash operating cycle
• 60-80% reduction of order handling costs
• 10-40% improved customer service
• 20-40% lead time reduction to end customers

The details of the webinar are as follows:
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Time: 11:30 EST
Place: Your Computer!

If you’re interested in attending this FREE webinar, you can register here.

Can’t make the webinar? No worries! Simply register and you can receive a copy of the webinar via e-mail.

What is a Global Location Number?

Global Location Numbers, or GLN’s were designed to improve the efficiency of communication with trading partners, adding detailed information such as the physical location and legal entity of an item. Basically, a GLN is a 13 digit number composed of a GS1 company prefix that identifies the organization, a location reference that is allocated by the company, and a check digit calculated with an algorithm based on the previous numbers. Rather than relying on internal numbers, GLN’s offer a method of identifying locations within and outside their company that are unique, multi-sectoral, and international.

What is a Global Trade Item Number?

A Global Trade Item Number, or GTIN is a unique GS1 System Identification Number used for products and services and can be 8, 12, 13, or 14 digits in length. Their key benefit is that information about the item with a GTIN can be retrieved when it is read in a GS1 Barcode symbol. In addition, the GTIN:

• Faciliates the flow of products and services and the information associated with them in electronic commerce.
• Uniquely identifies items at every level of packaging
• Allows accurate macine reading of items when placed in barcodes
• Delivers product information in a consistent format
• Aids and simplifies supply chain management

If you think you’re stuck using a legacy SAP system, then think again. Legacy SAP systems can easily be integrated with new and improved wireless networks and mobile computers for accurate real-time data collection in and out of the warehouse.

Barcoding Inc. offers solutions to make SAP mobile. Since mobile working increases productivity, mobility is crucial in the world of SAP. By integrating SAP technology with the mobility of the BlackBerry, or other mobile devices, professionals can now have real-time visibility into their business, wherever they may be. In turn, wireless access to SAP applications allows for quick decision making from senior management. Not only does SAP save precious decision-making time, the solution is also cost effective and easy to use, thus, increasing overall efficiency. Best of all, as business requirements and processes change, mobile SAP users don’t have to take their handsets to a central location for a software upgrade—applications can be modified centrally and then immediately updated across an entire network of users.

If you’re interested in upgrading your legacy SAP system, or simply want better SAP mobility optimization, you can learn more here.