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Item and price synchronization from IBM
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| A common definition
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The item and price synchronization solution from IBM can help Consumer Products companies use industry standard definitions of product attributes and classifications to synchronize product information with retail partners. This common understanding can reduce inefficiencies, errors and inaccuracies to lower unnecessary costs and complexity in the supply chain.
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| IBM—a proven leader
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To support the item and price synchronization solution from IBM, we provide a combination of thought leadership, technical innovation and hands-on experience to help you succeed. We:- Offer 4,400 consultants worldwide dedicated to the distribution sector.
- Work with industry bodies such as Universal Code Council/European Article Number (UCC/EAN) to help the industry proactively develop and implement standards for item identification.
- Are known for our innovative technology breakthroughs—from inventing the barcode to helping develop standards for Radio Frequency Identification.
- Provide services and technology to the WorldWide Retail Exchange (WWRE), an online marketplace whose member retailers earn more than US$450 billion annually.
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| Strategic benefit, day-to-day impact
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The item and price synchronization solution from IBM helps improve the integrity
and timeliness of master product data to facilitate the uninterrupted flow of
goods throughout the supply chain. We can also help establish business processes
to support the exchange of data between Consumer Products companies and
retailers.
To support data synchronization, this solution is compliant with the Universal
Code Council/European Article Number (UCC/EAN) standards. By leveraging a single
data source to publish and access product codes and trading partner information
you can:
- Improve purchase order accuracy to reduce the time spent managing incorrect
shipments and product returns.
- Reduce deductions due to price and promotion discrepancies.
- Increase efficiency and reduce cycle time for entry of new items and item
changes.
- Reduce duplication of work such as completing redundant paperwork.
- Avoid errors from manual keying.
- Standardize processes across trading partners.
This solution also establishes a sound foundation for future collaborative initiatives.
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| A real-world implementation
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We were able to help a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, brand-name food and beverage, intimates and underwear, and household products leverage the UCCnet registry to synchronize product descriptions in order to reduce confusion and cut costs with their trading partners.
To assess the process changes necessary to automate the electronic transfer of item data, the customer implemented a pilot project in their coffee and tea division. This project laid the foundation for efficient migration of all retail item information from the company to UCCnet.
By providing standards-based product information to UCCnet, the company has:- Cut costs by streamlining internal and external ordering and stocking activities.
- Increased customer satisfaction by eliminating frustrating order and supply problems.
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| The bottom line
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The item and price synchronization solution from IBM can help you:- Increase revenue by improving speed-to-shelf time for new products and price changes.
- Reduce costs by automating data entry processes to minimize errors that can result in incorrect invoices, shipments and deductions.
- Save time by decreasing the complexity of collecting and transmitting item information.
- Improve margins by speeding order-to-cash transaction processing.
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