Just to expand on the GDSN discussionÂ… The GDSN stands for the Global Data Synchronization Network and consists of many pools of catalogue information which are stored by individual service providers (known in the GDS world as data pools) but which can be traded via standardized XML documents using standardize communications protocols. The GDSN allows you to load your catalogue information to the `Data Pool' of your choice and send that information to your trading partner on any other `Data Pool' that is a part of the GDSN.
Each Data Pool has the option to support any loading methods they choose. Some Data Pools offer `full service' solutions which include a wide variety of loading options (integration to ERP systems, XML, EDI 832, CSV, excel, web-form entry, etc), they can also choose to offer other value-added services such as data cleansing, validation, image hosting, description normalization, marketing information, etc. As an example, Commport offers a full service data pool, CGS Datapool Services, with a unique ability to connect GDSN and data sync content with EDI and EDI processing. We can do this because Commport is both a GDSN Certified Data Pool and a Tier 1 VAN. Other Data Pools have partnered with other solution providers or `on-boarders' which act as middle men between the Data Pool and the end user. There are both benefits and drawbacks presented by these service provides, for instance they may offer unique loading methods however the addition of a third party between the Data Pool and the user may reduce user visibility and track and trace ability between the Data Pools, and may impact the cost of doing data sync. One other important factor that affects the cost of data sync is the choice of Data Pool. Each Data Pool has its own fee structure; some are based on annual revenue, others on usage (ie number of products loaded, number of trading partners, etc). The GDSN and the VAN networks are very similar with one key difference. All providers in the GDSN must be certified by Drummond Group Inc. which ensures compliance with the data structure, network interoperability and communications, as well as pay fees to the GS1 Organization. There are currently 27 certified providers, called `Data Pools', 25 of which are active. These include some of the providers that have been mentioned in this discussion as well as others (a list is available at: http://www.gs1.org/docs/gdsn/gdsn_certified_data_pools.pdf). I periodically hold educational GDSN webinars that provide basic information about Global Data Synchronization and its NetworkÂ… Please email me offline if you are interested in more information. Meagan Ralph Director, CGS Datapool Services Commport Communications International, inc [email protected] phone: (905) 727 6782 x 2209 www.cgsdatapool.com --- In [email protected], "Jaret Caravan" <jaret.cara...@...> wrote: > > > Hey guys, correct me if I am wrong, but the GDSN is a pool of catalog > information that used to be stored on individual services. It used to be > that if you had 10 customers you may have to load catalog information to > multiple services or to a client directly since the data was not always > shared. The GDSN allows you to upload your catalog information to one > location and partners can log into any other point of the GDSN to get access > to the information. I know that you can upload information to GS1, GS1 > Canada or any of those guys and Wal-Mart can access the data via 1Sync. Home > Depot should be able to access via Big Hammer, etc since the different pools > are sharing the data. Technically GDSN has nothing to do with EDI but many > of the service providers will allow you to upload data via an EDI 832. Many > of those providers will also allow you to upload via an Excel spreadsheet or > likely some other methods. Of course like trading partners, what methods or > standards any member of the GDSN supports is up to them. If you want to > upload your catalog information via an 832 you should be able to go to any > of the other service providers such as GS1 or 1Sync and upload to them via > an 832 and Home Depot should still be able to access via their account with > Big Hammer. I guess the easiest thing to compare the GDSN to is the VAN > network. The different providers interconnect but will allow for different > methods of connections. > > This is my understanding of GDSN at least. I have not had to work with it > much as of yet, although I did discuss it with one of my friends over at GS1 > Canada sometime last year and that was the understanding I had. If I am way > off hopefully someone who is more familiar can shed more light on it for us > all. I'm sure there are a lot more service providers out there than the few > I mentioned, but these are the names that I have heard along the way. > > Jaret Caravan, Edisoft > Sr. EDI Consultant > jaret.cara...@... > phone: (416) 299 0030 > fax: (416) 297 1289 > www.edisoft.com > ------------------------------------ ... Please use the following Message Identifiers as your subject prefix: <SALES>, <JOBS>, <LIST>, <TECH>, <MISC>, <EVENT>, <OFF-TOPIC> Job postings are welcome, but for job postings or requests for work: <JOBS> IS REQUIRED in the subject line as a prefix.Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EDI-L/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EDI-L/join (Yahoo! 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