Woolworths rolls out electronic messaging

Supermarket chain using GS1net to improve logistics and supplier relations

Woolworths Australia has implemented an electronic messaging system, which will allow product data to be transferred between the company and its suppliers.

GS1net serves to replace paper forms, which the supermarket chain had previously used, and allows suppliers to automatically synchronise their master data — such as descriptions, weights, dimensions and pricing — with the Woolworths system.

Suppliers can also publish data to more than one retailer, have more accurate data and make faster changes to master data. Messaging in the network also complies with the global data synchronisation network (GDSN) standard for data messages.

Woolworths general manager for Longlife Buying, Stephen Bate, said the company sees GS1net as an opportunity for trade partners to reduce the cost of doing business.

“Whilst the process of rolling out GS1net is only just beginning at Woolies, we look forward to on boarding more of our vendors over the coming months,” he said in a statement.

GS1net was developed by GS1, a global not-for-profit organisation, which develops global standards for supply chain management. It has 16,000 members in Australia ranging from SMEs to large enterprises.

The electronic messaging implementation follows Woolworths' venture into consumer smartphone applications with an Android-based app.

The app allows users to find their nearest store via GPS, and access offers for Everyday Rewards members and fuel savings vouchers.

Follow Hamish Barwick on Twitter: @HamishBarwick

Follow Computerworld Australia on Twitter: @ComputerworldAU

References show all

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Users posting comments agree to the Computerworld comments policy.
Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.
Related Coverage
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
Tags: business, electronic messenging, gs1, GS1net, Stephen Bate, woolworths
Whitepapers
All whitepapers
Sign up now to get free exclusive access to reports, research and invitation only events.
Featured Download
/downloads/product/138/driverscanner-2010/

DriverScanner 2010

DriverScanner scans your computer and provides you with a list of drivers that need to be updated. All you have to do, then, is simply ...

Computerworld newsletter

Join the most dedicated community for IT managers, leaders and professionals in Australia