Press Releases
One system for product encoding
22-09-2011
One system for product encoding: a sound basis for electronic business
The availability of a uniform encoding of floricultural products is the basis for fast, correct and efficient communication in the floricultural chain. Doing business electronicly simplifies when solving product encoding problems.
By order of Florecom, a project team under the guidance of Bert Buis has performed the project Integral Approach Product Encoding. The aim of the project was to investigate the possibilities for further development of the horticultural branch through designing one uniform system of product encoding.
Growers, breeders, auction and trade have made an inventory of more than fifty problems and needs. The problems are felt deeply in the whole sector. The advice to the board of Floricom and the Advisory Board Registration of VKC has been positively received. This entails:
- Clean up of the VBN product code files
The files need cleaning up, mainly because of problems with name giving code aspects. This clean up will be
solved per product group and those involved.
- Solution for compound product/lot
In the present system compound products cannot be coded sufficiently. Possible solutions will be registered
and worked out.
- Rules for the use of identifiying codes
Arrangements will have to be made to use a uniform system for classifying and identifying files.
- Connection of floriculture to the international GPC standards
International codes enlarge the worldwide use. Together with GS1 the use of international coding system
GPC will be joined to the systems used in the sector. This initiative is supported by international GS1's.
The first two items mainly deal with the completion of the project Linnaeus, which was started some years ago.
The Florecom board gave the assignment to start with the first three projects and continue the talks with GS1 about GPC encoding. this should lead to a sector wide central approach which quickly leads to a practical result, which enables better electronic business in the chain.
Further information about this bulletin can be obtained from the leader of the project, Bert Buis 0650 614194, or the Florecom manger, Leo van der Zon 0653 829247. The images are free of rights.
Because the present VBN encoding does not always suffice to specify products, many 'private' codes have been given. Exact idential products may thus have various product codes.