GS1 Australia year in review 2005

2005 GS1 AUSTRALIA ANNUALREPORT

Contents1. Overveiw

2. Report from the Chairman

4. GS1 Australia Board Members

6. CEO’s Report

10. International Overview

12. Our Members

14. Industries in Focus

19. How We’re Enhancing Services to Members

GS1 Australia valuesAct professionally Always ethical, honest and with respect for

each other

Work together Build trust based partnerships by valuing

open communication and collaborative

decision making

Exceed expectations Pursue service excellence with enthusiasm

Value our people Encourage development, expect commitment

acknowledge contribution

1

The evolution is complete. In 2005, we farewelled EAN Australia and celebrated the launch

of our new identity, GS1 Australia.

The launch at the annual Impetus 2005 Conference and Exhibition confi rmed Australia’s

place in a global organisation united by one vision and a dedication to a single global

system of trade. Glamorous, colourful and exciting, the event was a celebration of everything

achieved since bar codes were introduced into the Australian market, and an affi rmation

of our preparedness for the next wave of technology guaranteed to reshape supply chain

management once more.

This annual report catalogues what we have done for our members during the year, highlights

exciting projects, and outlines how we expect to progress member interests in years to come.

There’s plenty to report: the explosion of members joining the EANnet® data synchronisation

community, the selection of GS1 Australia to host the National Product Catalogue for healthcare,

world-fi rsts in the Electronic Product Code and radio frequency identifi cation, the acceleration

in the number of industries adopting this new technology, and a raft of initiatives securing

Australia’s position on the world stage.

The message is simple. GS1 Australia is the authority and your link to the GS1 System, the

world’s most widely used system in supply chains. We are focused on providing the expertise,

solutions and connections demanded by Australian business to remain an internationally

competitive force.

Overview


Chairman’s reportThis annual report marks a year as dynamic as any in GS1’s rich history.

Yes, it’s a bold claim for an organisation that introduced the

bar code into Australia, revolutionising the way we trade and

shop. But now, after serving for two consecutive years in my

second term as Chairman, it is one I am confi dent to make.

My fi rst term as Chairman was almost 20 years ago. GS1

Australia, or APNA as it was called then, was staff ed by

just a couple of employees and served only the grocery

manufacturers and retailers. It has since grown to assist 18

industries and is constantly introducing new initiatives to

boost the profi tability of our 15,000-plus Australian

company members.

This year, our organisation underwent dramatic change

on many fronts – the most obvious, its evolution from

EAN Australia to GS1 Australia. Much more than just a

name change, the new identity represents a shift from

many organisations working in partnership to a truly

united force: one global system, one global standard and

one standards organisation.

For GS1 members, this unity means greater eff ectiveness

and infl uence. Quite independently, this has also been the

case at a purely local level. Since my last term as Chairman,

GS1’s board has been transformed. Our largest and most

powerful corporations recognise its value and vie for seats

on the board.

A more subtle, yet no less impressive advance has been

in the attitude of Australian industry towards change.

Australia has overcome its resistance to new technology to

become one of the world’s leading early adopters.

We are in a great position. The GS1 Australia community is

strong, vibrant and ready to take advantage of

opportunities just as an entirely new revolution in

automated trading is emerging.

Looking back over 2005, there are many achievements to

be proud of, and many more reasons to be excited about

the future.

Russell Stucki

Chairman, GS1 Australia

2•3

The GS1 Australia community is

strong, vibrant and ready to take

advantage of opportunities...


GS1 Australiaboard members

GS1 Australia is proud to attract a board, rich in industry

experience and expertise. The GS1 Australia Board comprises

an array of executives from Australian and international

companies who represent a broad cross section of leading

Australian Industry Associations.

Introducing the 2005 GS1 Australia

Board Members:

Senior executive team

Maria Palazzolo

Chief Executive Offi cer

GS1 Australia is proud to present it’s senior executive leadership team. This group are

responsible for delivering services and support to members, forging the way in supply

chain innovations, technology and standards for Australian Industry. The leadership

team is supported by over 90 support staff based in Melbourne and Sydney. Our

staff share the common goal of implementing GS1’s global identifi cation system to

improve our members’ supply chain management.

4•5

Peter Webber

Senior Offi cer

Giovanni Curnis

Senior Offi cer

John LaVacca

Council Offi cer

Gavin Williams

Council Offi cer

Russell Stucki

Chairman

Maria Palazzolo

Chief Executive Offi cer

Ian Dunn

Vice Chairman

Bob Boucher

Vice Chairman

Harris Boulton

Treasurer

Alan McKenzie

Council Offi cer

Ian King

Council Offi cer

Len Augustine

Council Offi cer

Munro Farmer

Council Offi cer

Mark Fuller

Chief Operating Offi cer

Steven Pereira

Chief Information Offi cer

Colin Barnes

Chief Financial Offi cer

John Hearn

General Manager.

Business Development &

Professional Services

Fiona Wilson

General Manager.

Standards Development

Neale Austen

General Manager.

Information Systems

Sue Schmid

General Manager

Member & Industry

Support

Richard Jones

General Manager.

Service Delivery

Andrew Potter

Senior Offi cer

Name Employer Position

Russell Stucki Independent Chairman Maria Palazzolo GS1 Australia Chief Executive OfficeIan Dunn Woolworths Ltd Senior Business ManagerBob Boucher Colgate-Palmolive Pty Ltd Director Customer Service & LogisticsHarris Boulton Australian Food & Grocery Council Deputy DirectorAndrew Potter Coles Myer Ltd Group General Manager Coles Myer Supply ChainPeter Weber Nestle Australia Ltd Executive Director OperationsGiovanni Curnis Kraft Foods Ltd Supply Chain Director Australia & New ZealandJohn LaVacca IBM Business Consulting Services Leader Strategy, Marketing & Sales Operations Asia PacificGavin Williams Packaging Council of Australia Inc Chief Executive OfficerAlan McKenzie Aust Asia Pacific Wholesalers Pty Ltd Chief ExecutiveIan King Aus Meat Ltd Chief Executive OfficerLen Augustine SAP Australia Pty Ltd Director Marketing Resource Centre APA (Asia Pacific Area) Munro Farmer Gillette Australia Pty Ltd IT Director


CEO’s reportAs EAN underwent its dramatic evolution into GS1 around the world, here in Australia another transformation was taking place.

Maria Palazzolo

CEO, GS1 Australia

GS1 Australia has been quietly reshaped this year. Just

as the global organisation changed to refl ect the single

system it supports, we too have redefi ned ourselves to

better support our members with the practical assistance

needed to bring the system to life.

How? There have been a thousand micro-level shifts this

year, but the headlines are extra support staff for members,

more training, streamlined systems, a revitalised website

and greater accountability for customer service

standards. Ultimately we have greater commitment to

support the Australia market on the implementation of

the GS1 System.

The best skills available

We began with a careful appraisal of our service

and discovered:

• Members wanted easier access to answers and

expert knowledge

• Great customer service demands enhanced internal

teamwork

• Continual improvement can be achieved with

constructive feedback

• Our managers aim to be great leaders and have a thirst

for leadership skills.

In response, both current staff members and new recruits

have undergone a rigorous customer service training

program. Already, we have seen more seamless operation

between departments and are confi dent this will translate

to faster and more valuable service for members.

Recruiting for results

GS1 Australia’s growth and the increasing complexity

of supply chain technology have inevitably led to more

demands from members; to maintain service levels, GS1

increased its resources signifi cantly in 2005.

Staying in touch

GS1 Australia’s top priority is to connect members with the

right GS1 expert simply and quickly.

To achieve this, GS1 Australia has established a single help

line called the Member Information Service (MIS). Experts

staffi ng the MIS are able to deal with most member

requests immediately and involve specialists as required.

The year also saw big changes behind the scenes in

member services. The fi rst Health Check – a new service

designed to off er businesses an insight into the potential

of the GS1 system for their own operations delivered

to the fi rst GS1 member. Our support systems also

benefi ted from the staged roll-out of a new customer

relationship management (CRM) system. This began in

October and will make it easier for GS1 staff members to

respond to member requests.

In fact, GS1 Australia has already moved to increase our

accessibility online, with a newly redesigned website.

The new site is more visually appealing and navigation

is simple and eff ective. New access points make popular

sections of the site and online forms easy to fi nd for GS1

members. Each week, the site at www.gs1au.org receives

6,700 hits and 200 downloads for guideline documents.

A members-only area is planned for late 2006 that will

include specialised product information areas.

6•7

GS1 Australia’s growth and

the increasing complexity of

supply chain technology have

inevitably led to more demands

from members...

Ready to help you

Equipped with a well-resourced team of highly trained

experts, GS1 Australia is ready to help members leverage

all that the supply chain has to off er, now and as new

technologies emerge.

Of course, the new systems we are rolling out are only as

good as the people who use them and on this count, I

am extremely proud. The GS1 Australia team’s undisputed

experience and knowledge is impressive but, even more

importantly, our people are truly passionate about their

jobs and helping our members.

Such an ethos served us well in 2005 as this report shows.

We look forward to working with you to make business

simpler, more profi table and more rewarding during 2006.

As one we are strong

Building on the GS1 international corporate theme;

see one vision, speak with one voice and act like one

organisation, GS1 Australia hosted a spectacular launch

at the Impetus conference, which saw members, staff

and international guests celebrate the evolution of

EAN Australia into GS1 Australia. Filled with colour, light,

movement and emotion, the drama of the event was a

fi tting introduction to a new era for the organisation.

Beyond the symbolic coming together of the world’s

traders, the evolution into GS1 Australia puts our

community in a position of unprecedented strength.

More than ever before, Australians are able to leverage

the experiences and skills of our international

counterparts, just when we needed it most. As new

technologies like EPC/RFID are rolled out overseas, these

connections provide invaluable insights – not only into

what works and what doesn’t, but how to turn them to

Australia’s competitive advantage.

Two steps closer to EPC/RFID

With the use of RFID technology already mandated by

giant US retailer, Wal-Mart, RFID trials have begun in

earnest in Australia.

Its adoption here received an enormous boost this year with

the news that GS1 Australia won an Australia-wide scientifi c

licence that will allow RFID readers to operate at up to 4 Watts.

RFID readers are currently limited to just 1 Watt and the

increase to 4 Watts would see read ranges approximately

double, markedly increasing RFID’s effi ciency. It would also

bring Australia’s power level into line with other parts of

the world, including North America.

To measure the value of RFID and the Electronic Product

Code (EPC) standards that govern its use, a new federally

funded project was established, entitled the National

Demonstrator Project for RFID technology, EPC systems

and standards.

Jointly managed by CSIRO and GS1 Australia, the project is

thought to be the fi rst of its type in the world. Results from

both projects will be released in mid-2006.

EANnet: building a foundation for

new technology

In preparation for the new electronic generation of supply

chain technologies, Australian businesses are fl ocking

to data pool, EANnet. Providing data synchronisation

and online registry services, EANnet is the foundation

for electronic collaboration between trading partners,

delivering quality-controlled information at lightning speed.

During 2005, the number of companies registered with

EANnet grew 56 per cent, bringing the total to more than

750 businesses across Australia. By the end of 2005, there

were 490,000 Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) in the

EANnet Registry and 60,000 images.

2005, also saw an important announcement by the

National Health Transition Authority (NeHTA) who selected

EANnet to host the new National Product Catalogue (NPC).

The NPC which incorporates the Australian Catalogue

of Medicines (ACOM) is to become the single source

of information about medicines for public hospitals,

facilitating the exchange of clinical, supply chain, product

and pricing information.

EANnet’s reach is also increasing internationally being

linked to a network of 26 similar data pools around the

world in 2005. The EANnet community will migrate to a

fully GDSN-compliant platform known as GS1net by the

end of 2007.

The GDSN Inc president, Sally Herbert, visited Australia in

November and committed to using many of our learnings

in the development of the new system, which will have a

fl ow-on benefi t to the EANnet user community.

With the expansion of the EANnet community, dedicated

User Groups proved popular in 2005. More than 300

people attended forums in Melbourne and Sydney to

discuss new developments, industry progress, technical

requirements and global trends in data synchronisation.

User experiences and feedback have driven several

improvements to EANnet.

GS1 Australia’s Professional Services helped members achieve

their EANnet and eCommerce goals. Highlights included:

• Major project started with NSW Health for the use of

EANnet as the single data source for the NSW Health

eMarketplace

• Ongoing electronic messaging work with leading retailers

• Project completion, including fi nal end-to-end testing

for the Australian Catalogue of Medicines (ACOM)

• Development of new service off erings in the areas of

EANnet, such as EANnet Data Management and EANnet

Fast Track Plus

• Development of an EANnet Certifi cation Program for the

GS1 Alliance community

• Coles Myer Limited drove growth, trading ‘live’ with over

150 suppliers

New Education and Training off er for members

GS1 Australia’s traditional Education and Training off er

was relaunched in 2005, off ering students fl exible study

options and the latest supply chain information.

To be rolled out nationally in 2006, students will have the

opportunity to attend the new format ‘Education Open

Day’ which will consist of The GS1 System Essentials and

include, supplementary sessions on practical supply

chain and standards issues. Students will be exposed

to industry centric presentations including the health,

transport and logistics sectors, as well as sessions on

traceability and bar code verifi cation.

In addition to the new format Open Days, students

can elect to participate in the newly developed LEARN

program off ering students the option to complete online

training and assessment of the GS1 Essentials courseware.

Following on from the worldwide success of the

Supply Chain Knowledge Centre (SCKC) at Mt Waverley,

Melbourne, development is underway to construct a

similar model in Sydney.

The Sydney SCKC, a smaller version of the Melbourne

training facility, includes the real-life interactive modules

and state-of-the-art supply chain technology that made

Melbourne so successful. With over 600 visitors to the

Melbourne centre in 2005, our NSW-based members will

have far greater access to the revolutionary training facility,

The new facility will enable evaluation of eCommerce and

supply chain solutions in a simulated environment specifi c

to their own industry with immediate feedback and

measurable outcomes.

CEO’s report - continued

8•9

Beyond the symbolic coming

together of the world’s traders, the

evolution into GS1 Australia puts

our community in a position of

unprecedented strength.


International overviewAt last, there is a single global custodian of the world’s supply chain standards.

The birth of GS1 in 2005 celebrated the merger of three

standards bodies: the Uniform Code Council (UCC), the

Electronic Commerce Council of Canada and

EAN International.

The new GS1 management board brings together an

unparalleled group of business leaders from every region

of the world and many of its industries. Among the

iconic corporations represented are Wal-Mart, Carrefour,

Unilever, Nestlé, Samsung, Kraft, Procter & Gamble, and

Reckitt Benckiser.

At the heart of the new body is the GS1 global offi ce in

Brussels, which supports and coordinates the many facets

of the organisation: GS1 Bar Codes, GS1 eCom, GS1 GDSN

and EPCglobal.

Embracing the staff spirit of ‘See One Vision, Speak with

One Voice, Act as One Organisation’, the GS1 name now

represents 155 member country organisations, including

GS1 Australia. As they strive towards common standards

in member support, GS1 Australia’s extensive services,

programs and training serves as a model for others.

In particular, GS1 Australia signed a memorandum of

understanding with GS1 Vietnam in 2005. As part of the

agreement, a Vietnamese delegation has visited Australia

and both organisations will share their experiences in

the implementation of the GS1 system, including data

synchronisation.

Synchronisation on a global scale

Data synchronisation is sweeping the world as companies

embrace eCommerce. Nowhere is this clearer than in

the unprecedented uptake of Australia’s own data pool,

EANnet. And as other nations develop their own data

pools, the opportunity to synchronise data for automated

transactions across the world arises.

GS1 has been quick to realise the potential of links

between data pools, through a GDSN. The hub of the

GDSN is the Global Registry, which serves as a ‘Yellow

Pages’ directory, identifying where the item information is

held across data pools.

This year, 26 data pools were linked by the GDSN. The

number of items in the Global Registry doubled in the fi rst

fi ve months of 2005 and already 400,000 items have been

published by subscriber companies from North America,

Latin America, Europe and the Asia Pacifi c regions.

For Australians, the GDSN draws even closer the prospect

of seamless international trade as local products are made

just as accessible to retailers around the world as they are

to customers around the corner. GS1 Australia is ready to

help members take advantage of GDSN and has already

made substantial progress.

The fi rst two phases of a fi ve-phase migration plan were

completed in 2005. The third, scheduled for July 2006, will

make the EANnet community compliant with all GDSN static

data elements and poised for full migration.

The Electronic Product Code (EPC)

makes RFID a reality

Similarly, Australians will benefi t from the EPCglobal

network’s pioneering work with RFID in the supply chain.

In the same way that the GS1 system saw the bar code

become a universally understood business language, the

EPC Network promises to build consistent and widely

accepted standards for RFID.

Following the ratifi cation of the EPCglobal UHF

Generation 2 standard in December 2004, technology

providers began creating standards-based equipment

that will meet the requirements of suppliers,

manufacturers and end users alike.

This year saw many successful major pilot projects using

the EPCglobal network and more are expected in 2006.

Declared the ‘Year of the Network’ by EPCglobal president,

Chris Adcock, 2005 was indeed one of spectacular growth

for EPC. More than 750 organisations around the world,

from industries as diverse as aerospace and apparel, had

joined the EPCglobal community. In this respect, Australia

is no longer an island.

10•11

The new GS1 management

board brings together an

unparalleled group of business

leaders from every region of the

world and many of its industries.


Our membersThere is simply no such thing as a typical GS1 Australia member; like the nation itself, our community thrives on diversity.

At GS1 Australia, rivals, suppliers and customers meet

in a spirit of cooperation unseen anywhere else in the

corporate world. Industry and geographic boundaries are

crossed and every business, from micro to multinational,

enjoys equal standing.

It works because all 15,000 members recognise GS1’s

essential truth: united by a common language of trade, the

success of one is to the benefi t of all.

Serving our members

The breadth and depth of the connection between GS1

Australia and its members is refl ected throughout this

annual report. Still, the raw numbers presented below

suggest just how vital the everyday services GS1 Australia

provides are to our members.

GS1 Australia members 15,000

EPCglobal Australia members 28

Alliance Partners 62

Products bar code tested 89,010

Products imaged for EANnet 8,837

People trained in EAN•UCC 240

Companies accredited on EAN•UCC 14

Individuals accredited on EAN•UCC 103

Visitors to the Supply Chain Knowledge Centre 608

Member site visits by GS1 Australia experts 171

12•13

“A membership with GS1 has allowed us access to a range of references

and resources helping us to better understand our own supply chain and

its potential for improvements. It is important to remain at the forefront of

technological advances and the staff at GS1 are well equipped to provide

any required information in their specialist areas. Rip Curl is competing

in the competitive global surf industry and accurate information is

paramount to a secured future.”

Luke Merlo

Supply Chain Planner - Rip Curl

“GS1 membership provides a valuable source of supply chain expertise.

GS1 events, working groups and updates keep Pacifi c Brands abreast of

new supply chain initiatives, such as RFID and EANnet. Then, when we need

assistance to resolve the issues that inevitably arise in a supply chain as

complex as ours, GS1 is always ready to help.

“Dealing with GS1 has also been very easy. As partners, Pacifi c Brands and

GS1 have worked together to consolidate all of the Pacifi c Brands businesses

under a corporate account for ease of management and to reduce costs.”

Geoff County

Process Improvement Manager, Supply Chain - Pacifi c Brands

Industries in focusThe GS1 system streamlines the trade of almost every consumer good yet, every

year, new applications are found in existing industries and 2005 was no exception.

This report profi les in depth two already very active

industries, health and transport and logistics, before

overviewing GS1’s early work with four industries exploring

the benefi ts of the GS1 system.

Healthy outcomes

The following health sector projects are set to have a

potentially life-saving impact on the health of Australians,

delivering the right medicines to the right patient at

the right time. EANnet became an invaluable tool for

pharmaceutical and health suppliers during 2005 as it was

adopted by an increasing spread of health providers.

Monash project

Hospitals will soon be using electronic messaging to order

medicines from Australia’s pharmaceutical industry under

the long-running Monash project.

The success of the Monash project involving transactions

between the Monash Medical Centre’s pharmacy

department (part of Southern Health) and three

suppliers saw the project expand dramatically in its

second phase. Already, all fi ve Southern Health hospital

pharmacy departments are implementing GS1 standards

and EANCOM® guidelines and a host of suppliers will

participate in special projects.

During phase two, bar codes will be applied to non-retail

trade items incorporating batch numbers and expiry dates.

It will also introduce electronic purchase orders, invoices,

purchase order acknowledgements and dispatch advice

documents. EANnet will manage data synchronisation,

while product numbering and bar codes will identify

pharmaceuticals and allow traceability.

National eHealth Transition Authority

has big plans

The National eHealth Transition Authority, in its new form

as NeHTA Limited, a not-for-profi t company, has big plans

for the health sector’s supply chain.

Funded by Australian state and federal governments,

NeHTA is responsible for developing national

health information management plus information

communication technology standards and specifi cations.

Playing a big role in the evolution of health sector supply

chain is EANnet, which was selected in 2005 to host the

new National Product Catalogue (NPC). The NPC will enable

sharing of product and pricing data between supplier and

government, resulting in signifi cant cost saving for both the

public health system and it’s trading partners.

In addition to the development of the NPC, supply chain

reform across the sector is one of NeHTA’s stated initiatives,

beginning with the development of business cases for:

• A single suite of standards; the catalogue makes

maintaining current and accurate supply information

cost-eff ective for suppliers


14•15

• An eProcurement hub to facilitate relevant data transfer

and, potentially, provide electronic workfl ow tools

• Business intelligence tools to enhance analysis

and reporting.

Australian Catalogue of Medicines

comes of age

A project to develop a central electronic catalogue of

quality-assured information about medicines for use by

doctors and pharmacists was completed in November

2005 by the GS1 Professional Services team.

The Australian Catalogue of Medicines (ACOM)

contains all the items listed by the Therapeutic Goods

Administration (TGA), including devices such as catheters

as well as complementary medicines.

Boosting ACOM’s effi ciency, data are uploaded directly

from the MIMS Point of Care medical database already

used almost universally throughout the health sector,

which suppliers can then maintain online and add to with

fresh upload fi les.

With ACOM’s completion, its sponsor, the Federal

Government Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA),

handed over responsibility for ACOM to the National

eHealth Transition Authority (NeHTA). NeHTA will launch

ACOM as a key subset of the National Product Catalogue

in early 2006.

GTINs part of Health Purchasing

Victoria tenders

At the state level, Health Purchasing Victoria (HPV) began

including the provision of the GS1 system GTINs in tender

documentation in 2005.

Initially, HPV requires GTINs to be allocated to the

consumer unit or base level unit being traded but plans to

place GTINs on all levels of packaging in the future.

HPV is also investigating the use of EANnet for data

provision and validation.

GS1 Australia will run training sessions for HPV tender

managers and its Clinical Advisory Group on the GS1

standards, EANnet, and how these tools work in the supply

chain. The sessions involve an overview of the standards

and EANnet, followed by a tour of the interactive Supply

Chain Knowledge Centre’s Standards in Action module.

NSW Health adopts EANnet

In 2005, NSW Health selected EANnet to synchronise

data for its electronic purchasing system, the NSW Health

eMarketplace.

The decision means that all NSW Health suppliers, across

all product categories, must assign GTINs to products and

Global Location Numbers (GLNs) will identify hospital

locations for pricing purposes.

In preparation, NSW Health’s Health Procurement body and

GS1 Australia have begun holding briefi ng sessions for the

‘lead vendors’ among NSW Health’s 6,000 trading partners.

Global health

A member of the GS1 Global Health Interest Group, GS1

Australia was involved in the formation of a Healthcare

User Group (HUG) in mid 2005. The HUG’s vision is to

become the single source for regulatory agencies and

trade organisations (including manufacturers, wholesalers,

hospitals and pharmacies) seeking input and direction for

global supply chain standards in the healthcare industry.

Led by a team of healthcare representatives, the HUG is

divided into six sub-groups focused on: prevention of

medical errors; product authentication and preventing

counterfeiting; tracking and tracing; and to increase total

supply chain effi ciency.

In just 12 months, the HUG has successfully generated

signifi cant traction within the industry, attracting interest

from senior healthcare representatives from within the

healthcare sector. This high-level global activity has huge

potential for positive fl ow into the Australian market.


Industries in focus - continued

Transport and logistics on the move

Retail Grocery Project – ITOL Transport

As 2005 drew to a close, the retail grocery transport project

proved many of the benefi ts of the GS1 system could be

carried over to the transport sector.

GS1 Australia was involved in several ITOL sub-projects

including:

• Kimberly-Clark and Toll Logistics

Automation of consignment creation was the focus for

this subproject. Electronic data interchange (EDI) was

used to replace manual processes and speed up the

costing and payment process.

• Moraitis Fresh Packing and Collins Transport

Moraitis to apply a Serial Shipping Container Code

(SSCC) at the point of despatch to generate a transport

request via email. In turn, Collins Transport will scan

the SSCCs upon receipt at the depot to confi rm each

shipment is full and correct before an electronic proof of

delivery is forwarded to Moraitis.

• Star Track and a major Australian retailer

A business case has been developed, identifying

the benefi ts of linking the transport process with the

supplier/buyer process. The case study aims to illustrate

the opportunities available to businesses’ logistics

and supply chain operations generated by the

GS1 system.

• Simplot, Lindsay Brothers and Patrick Logistics

A business benefi ts identifi cation process produced

in 2005 will allow this sub-group to form a high-level

business case.

• Specialised Container Transport (SCT)

GS1 Australia completed a business requirements

document based on internationally recognised business

modelling techniques. Mapping out the processes

currently carried out by SCT, the document overlays

how the GS1 system and technology can improve and

streamline current work eff orts.

The remaining steps for the ITOL project during 2006 are to:

• Publish the fi nal report

• Conduct a road show highlighting the benefi ts and

outcomes of the project

• Develop and publish case studies

• Produce a call-to-action with wider industry backing to

support the implementation of the GS1 system

• Launch an industry group (led by GS1) to overcome

challenges identifi ed by the project and allow the

implementation of the GS1 system in the

transport sector

International activities in transport and logistics

Internationally, GS1 Australia participates within the GS1

Global Transport and Logistics Interest Group, which

represents member organisations dealing with the sector.

Into 2006, GS1 Australia is working with the World Customs

Organisation (WCO), Australian Customs and EPCglobal on

various supply chain initiatives.

New industries – Gearing up for GS1

implementation

The momentum for the GS1 system continues to grow,

with new industries discovering how savvy supply chain

management boosts profi ts and competitiveness.

Seafood

GS1 Australia experts toured the country in 2005,

presenting the GS1 system and explaining how it can assist

with traceability – an all-important competitive advantage

for the seafood industry. Growers and fi shermen can

provide visibility across the product-growth, handling and

distribution phases and will have the ability to protect their

brands abroad.

Confectionary

The confectionary industry has been aggressively

promoting the GS1 system, led by industry association, the

Confectionary Manufacturers of Australasia. At the 2005

ConBiz conference, GS1 addressed 150 delegates on the

benefi ts of the system beyond compliance.

General merchandise

Set to grow as a sector in 2006, the general merchandise

sector is increasing its engagement with the GS1 system.

Plans include the formation of a working group to ensure

guidelines suit each of the industry’s diverse sectors and

to manage data synchronisation.

Fresh produce

Fresh produce industry leaders established a formal

supply chain steering group in 2005 to consider the issues

surrounding product identifi cation.

A representative cross-section of growers, associations

and retailers in the group include Horticulture Australia

Limited (HAL), Coles Myer, Woolworths, Avocados Australia,

Montague, Panda Ranch, Australian United Fresh Fruit and

Veg (AUF), Costas, Moraitis, Perfection Fresh, and Metcash.

GS1 Australia’s ongoing work in this industry includes

the roll-out of an awareness campaign to educate new

and potential users on the GS1 system benefi ts between

trading partners.

16•17

The momentum for the GS1 system

continues to grow, with new

industries discovering how savvy

supply chain management boosts

profi ts and competitiveness.


The year also saw several

milestones achieved towards

the success of EPC in Australia in

the shape of pilots, funding and

technology trials.

18•19

How we’re enhancing services to membersAs the pace of change in the supply chain quickened in 2005, requests from members for support intensifi ed across

several fronts. Here, we present a snapshot of how GS1 Australia has invested to develop new services.

EPCglobal

Momentum for the implementation of RFID grew in

Australia during 2005 as EPCglobal celebrated its fi rst

anniversary here.

Although no mandate has yet been set for the use of

RFID/EPC, more than 20 Australian companies became

members, refl ecting industry’s interest in exploring

the technology and the EPC that governs its use in the

supply chain.

The newly formed Australian EPCglobal Working Group

proved a valuable forum for local members to share

information on the latest developments and international

implementation of EPC. During 2005, the working group

was addressed by local and international experts, including

Auto-ID lab directors from the Massachusetts Institute of

Technology (MIT), Sweden and China and Professor Peter

Cole from Adelaide University. The Australian working

group’s access to the many international working groups,

including the Asian Adoption program, reinforced the

Australian connection with global progress and continues

to provide Australian input into the very crucial global

standards development process.

The year also saw several milestones achieved towards the

success of EPC in Australia in the shape of pilots, funding

and technology trials.

Excitingly, GS1 Australia secured an Australia-wide

scientifi c licence to trial the use of 4 Watt RFID readers.

Upgrading the class licence from the current 1 Watt

power rating to 4 Watts would extend the reach and

eff ectiveness of RFID readers, while bringing Australia into

line with international standards.

A world fi rst in RFID/EPC implementation has been funded

by the Department of Communications, Information

Technology and the Arts (DCITA). A National Demonstrator

pilot will see the EPC network in operation across six sites

tracking movement and the exchange of pallets, cartons

and unit loads.

Led by GS1 and the CSIRO, 13 companies representing all

segments of the supply chain will take part: the Australian

Food & Grocery Council (AFGC), Metcash, Proctor &

Gamble, Gillette, Linfox, Visy Industries, CHEP, Capilano

Honey, Nugan Estate, Sun Microsystems and Verisign. The

outcomes will be made publicly in a report scheduled for

release in June 2006.

EPCglobal members are conducting many other

independent EPC/RFID trials. Among them is a pilot

tracking loads between Patties Foods’ Bairnsdale factory

and Montague’s Melbourne site that involves Alliance

Partners, Matthews and Verisign. The pilot followed the

success of a Supply Chain Review conducted by GS1

Australia Professional Services for Patties.

Committed to encouraging the broad-scale adoption of

the EPC network in Australia, EPCglobal delivered a packed

program of training sessions, rapidly building a high profi le

at seminars, conferences and workshops. The completion

of several pilots in 2006 will see a raft of papers and case

studies released to the public. The year also brings the

opening of an EPC/RFID module at the award-winning

Supply Chain Knowledge Centre.

EANnet

Data synchronisation service EANnet exploded in

popularity during 2005. Membership grew from 501 to

more than 750 companies, the EANnet Client Services

team helped 160 suppliers become EANnet Ready® and

catalogues containing 35,000 products were cleansed

and validated, providing accurate and error-free data to

their trading partners.

The key driver in Australia was Coles Supermarkets

(including Bi-Lo), which is now trading ‘live’ with over

150 suppliers, a process streamlined by the Coles Food

Group’s use of the GS1 Community Management Tool. At

the year’s end, grocery distributor Metcash had engaged

with over 60 suppliers.

Stemming the fl oods of universal buying form (UBF)

paperwork, the transition means all product information,

including price, is exchanged electronically via EANnet.

The NSW Department of Health also contributed to the

rapid growth of the EANnet community.

The burgeoning EANnet community prompted the release

of several new data extraction programs during 2005. The

fi rst enterprise resource planning (ERP) based solution

was also developed, linking its inventory management

module directly to EANnet. The new releases off er the

EANnet community choice and broaden the benefi ts of

eCommerce across business operations.

So that members could be certain software meets all the

requirements of EANnet, GS1 established a new EANnet

Certifi cation program. A distinctive logo makes it simple for

members to identify software that has been fully tested

by GS1 Australia and retested when new versions are

released to make sure solutions support:

• The complete EANnet data set

• All error and warning messages

• Upload processes

• All action codes, including new products, price

changes and deletions

• Static item and price-only transactions.

Finally, to make EANnet membership more accessible for

all businesses, a new fee structure was introduced in July.

A cap is applied based on a company’s turnover and is

particularly helpful to the small to medium organisations

with large ranges of diverse products common in the

general merchandise, apparel and hardware industries.

RosettaNet Australia(A subsidiary of GS1 Australia)

RosettaNet Australia, the custodian of standards for smart

electronic trading in the high technology, semiconductor

manufacturing, telecommunications and electronic

components sectors, continued to build its local profi le.

RosettaNet toured Australia in early 2005, with the

support of the Australian Electrical and Electronics

Manufacturers Association (AEEMA). The road show

introduced RosettaNet’s eBusiness process standards and

presented case studies demonstrating the benefi ts that

can be leveraged from the adoption of the process-

centric standards.

The Australian RosettaNet Board of Users also met to

map the way forward for the local body, identifying key

lobby groups and opinion leaders to deliver a tailored

education pack and value proposition.

Rosettanet Australia continues to raise awareness in

this sector, which is focused on operational rather than

strategic issues, of the need for supply chain effi ciencies

and its interdependence with global standards.

How we’re enhancing services to members - continued

Data synchronisation service

EANnet exploded in popularity

during 2005... now with over

750 member companies.

20•21


eMessaging – GS1 Community

Management Tool (CMT)

During 2005, the Community Management Tool message

validation service made great progress, with support

from major retailers including Coles Myer Limited (CML).

The retailer now includes CMT, along with EANnet and

GS1 bar coding, as a key element of its business-to-

business strategy.

CML suppliers check their ability to send and receive EDI or

XML messages including orders, acknowledgements and

delivery advice by validating them against the test messages

on CMT.

Improved support for industry leaders

GS1’s Corporate Account Management program grew to

over 400 GS1 member organisations. The program aims to

develop better relationships and improve service levels by:

• Understanding and recording the aims, structure,

culture and needs of each Corporate Member

• Providing a single channel for co-ordination and escalation

• Providing guidance in the use of GS1 standards and services.

GS1 has appointed account management professionals

to deliver the required service levels.

Alliance Partners

GS1 Australia’s community of trusted solutions providers,

its Alliance Partners, grew in stature during 2005.

Together, GS1 and the Alliance Partners embarked on

an ambitious program to deliver an expanded range of

certifi ed compliant products and services to members.

GS1 Australia has accredited 60 alliance partner

companies and 350 professionals in the GS1 system.

With this in place, members can turn to GS1 Australia

accredited Alliance Partners with confi dence for product,

support and service off erings every step of the way along

the supply chain, including:

• Software and applications

• Warehousing, transport and logistics

• eCommerce

• Telecommunications

• Data warehousing

• Consulting services

• Hardware

• Systems integration

• Printers and label suppliers.

Aside from delivering solutions, Alliance Partners

contribute signifi cant expertise to the wider GS1

Australia community. In 2005, Alliance Partners joined

with GS1 experts to extend EANnet’s capabilities,

collaborate with consulting programs and fi nalise the

EANnet Certifi cation Program.

To date, the program has four certifi ed partner companies,

lifting the expertise of solutions providers and ultimately,

smoothing the process of EANnet implementation.

The Alliance Partner community continues to be a

powerful supporter of education and training, running

seminars and delivering presentations about the GS1

system. In fact, 30 Alliance Partners participate on the

SCKC User Board, ensuring that GS1’s training program

remains the world’s most highly-respected source of

supply chain information.

A deeper understanding of

your business

Advising members on their supply chain management

using the GS1 system demands a combination of

technical expertise and business insight. To facilitate

a deeper understanding of members’ operations, GS1

Australia is implementing a new customer relationship

management (CRM) system.

The benefi t to members will begin from the fi rst call to GS1’s

help desk. The telephone system will be linked with member

records so staff can identify members swiftly and with

minimal fuss.

New fi elds will allow service staff to record details of the

challenges reported by members, their circumstances

and the recommendations made by the GS1 expert. The

next time members call, the full history will be available

to other help desk staff ers to deliver accurate, relevant

and timely assistance.

The new CRM will also help GS1 allocate its resources

to best eff ect. Common issues and concerns can be

identifi ed and addressed with new programs, while

sophisticated segmentation of the membership will

promote more targeted communication. Ultimately,

members will also be able to join, then access and

update their own contact details online. Supporting

management information systems were implemented

in the fi rst half of the year, with the CRM being phased in

from October 2005 through to 2006.

How we’re enhancing services to members - continued

22•23

Aside from delivering solutions,

Alliance Partners contribute

signifi cant expertise to the

wider GS1 Australia community.

Melbourne Head Offi ceSydney Offi ce

Introducing you to the GS1 Australia team based in Melbourne and Sydney.

GS1 AUSTRALIAANNUAL REPORT 2005

Head Offi ce - Axxess Corporate Park, Unit 100/45 Gilby Rd, Mt Waverley VIC 3149

Locked bag 10, Oakleigh VIC 3166 T +61 3 9558 9559 F +61 3 9558 9551

Sydney Offi ce - Lakes Business Park, Building 4B, 2-4 Lord St, Botany NSW 2019

Locked Bag 7002, Botany DC NSW 2019 T +61 2 9700 0933 F +61 2 9700 0820

NATIONAL NUMBER: 1300 366 033

www.gs1au.org

GS1 Australia year in review 2005

Documents

selection of gs1 australia

gs1 members

ean australia

gs1 system

gs1 australia board

membersgs1 australia

global organisation

new technology