Retail sector gets better control on electronically ordered goods
Hilversum, 16 February 2007
Dutch retail companies that receive electronic packing notes from their suppliers can check whether the supplied goods meet their order faster and more economically. This can be done through a barcode which the supplier sends together with the packing notes, so-called SSCC. Independent organisation GS1 Nederland awarded technology company Certipost a certificate guaranteeing that the IT system for the secured exchange of electronic trade documents developed by Certipost supports the SSCC standard.
This is particularly good news for businesses in the Dutch retail sector that already use the Certipost system or are considering this. Albert Heijn, A.S. Watson (ICI PARIS XL, Kruidvat, Trekpleister), Dynadro (DA), Koopconsult (Dirk van den Broek Bedrijven), SuperUnie, Detailresult and Metro (Makro) are several customers that exchange computerised documents with their suppliers. They do this through Certipost’s CertiONE solution.
CertiONE is a system that connects company computer applications with the applications of their suppliers and customers. It ensures the electronic exchange of confidential documents in the supply chain, such as buying orders, order confirmations, packing notes and invoices. CertiONE is accessible to each company and serves as an electronic sorting office and translation agency between the computer applications of sender and receiver. The system is multilingual and can therefore be easily used internationally.
CertiONE now also supports the new EDI consignment note with EAN code, also referred to as SSCC or Serial Shipping Container Code. EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is a standard for the electronic exchange of business documents. EAN (European Article Numbering) is the well-known barcode that is checked by the GS1 organisation. Via the EAN code, the supplier indicates information to its customer regarding the content of the sent goods.
GS1 Nederland awarded the EDI certificate to Certipost for the ’EANCOM 2002 consignment note’. This is the latest version of the electronic packing note that includes the Serial Shipping Container Code. Thanks to the standardisation, companies can link commodity and data flow, realise quality improvements and save expenses in their internal and external business processes.
Computer systems ready for SSCC
"CertiONE e-Supply simplifies the computerisation of communication in the supply chain considerably", says Stijn Vander Plaetse, CEO of Certipost. "CertiONE e-Supply is one of the four applications offered by our system. Via e-Supply, suppliers and customers exchange buying orders, order confirmations, packing notes and invoices. CertiONE offers one single B2B access point for electronic communication, instead of numerous tailor-made connections with each business partner."
"There are several tailor-made solutions for the business partner ", explains Stijn Vander Plaetse. “There is an interactive solution, Bizmail, which supports messaging via a simple web interface, because of which the supplier doesn’t need an ERP or accounting system. We also offer solutions for suppliers who want to link their ERP system to CertiONE and therefore choose an integrated solution."
"Major players such as Albert Heijn, A.S. Watson, Dynadro, Koopconsult, SuperUnie, Detailresult and Metro have worked hard at adapting their computer systems and processes for the processing of the SSCC standard. They expect their suppliers to now also take this step. CertiONE e-Supply enables the bridging of both, regardless of their specific computer applications and financial possibilities", says Vander Plaetse.
Background
The EAN code is important for fast and cost-effective control of the received goods. The code also enables the tracking of goods across the entire logistics chain and is in accordance with the European General Food Law. In the Netherlands the origin of all foodstuffs must be traceable.
The EAN code is a unique number that is attributed to the shipping unit. This is done according to an internationally accepted standard. Via the code, business partners can identify information on the content of the shipment. The code provides information on batch numbers, products, amounts and best-before dates. The supplier puts the barcode on the shipping unit.
EDI consignment note
The supplier sends its customer the EDI consignment note -also referred to as the electronic packing note or DESADV message (Despatch Advice) - before the physical delivery of the goods. The customer knows exactly what he will receive in advance. The latest version of the electronic packing note, the EANCOM 2002Consignment note, includes the EAN codes of the shipment. Upon receipt of the goods, the buyer can scan the EAN code and link it to the corresponding value in a consignment note, so he knows exactly what the content is.
About Certipost - "We facilitate and certify e-communications"
Certipost enables, automates and secures electronic billing and electronic document exchange via the Internet.
Certipost provides solutions for the delivery of invoices and electronic documents to the right person, company or organisation. These solutions allow companies to limit their costs, improve their customer service, as well as the environment and increase their efficiency. Certipost’s CertiONE platform is an open platform that allows large numbers of users and companies to be connected very quickly and electronically exchange business documents. It can be integrated in any accounting software package or ERP system.
Certipost also provides electronic identification services for a secure usage of online applications. In Belgium, Certipost issues the electronic identity card (eID), comprising two certificates, to all citizens. This identity card gives access to various secured access management applications such as registered mail.
Certipost was established in 2002 in Belgium as a joint venture between De Post and Belgacom. It hosts more than 23,000 companies and 300,000 private individuals on its platform in Europe. The company is based in Aalst and has offices in the Netherlands and France. Stijn Vander Plaetse is Certipost’s CEO.
For more information go to www.certipost.be.
Also see http://www.quadrantcommunications.be/downloads/certipost
Certipost
Katrien Busschaert, Head of Marketing
Ninovesteenweg 196, B-9320 Erembodegem (Aalst)
Tel.: +32 (0)53 601 134
Email: katrien.busschaert@certipost.com
Contact voor journalisten :
Quadrant Communications
Bart Inslegers
Franklin Rooseveltlaan 348, B-9000 Gent
Tel: +32 (0)9 265 0258
Mobile: +32 (0)472 480 186
Email: bart@quadrantcommunications.be |
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