What Is GDSN (Global Data Synchronization Network)?
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Talk to our experts- GDSN (Global Data Synchronization Network)
- GDSN (Global Data Synchronization Network) is the GS1 network that lets trading partners share product master data, such as GTINs, descriptions, weights and brand names, with continuous updates. A supplier publishes item data through a GDSN-certified data pool, and retailers, distributors and other recipients subscribe to it through their own data pool.
Also called: Global Data Synchronization Network, GS1 GDSN
How it works
GDSN, the GS1 Global Data Synchronization Network, connects trading partners through a network of interoperable GDSN-certified data pools. GS1 US calls it a data-sharing protocol that enables trading partners to share product master data with continuous updates.
- Who uses it: GS1 US names brand owners, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, foodservice operators and healthcare providers, as data sources and data recipients.
- How you join: GS1 says any company that needs to send or receive product information can use GS1 GDSN by subscribing to a data pool. Only trading partners using a certified data pool can synchronize data through GDSN.
- The directory: the GS1 Global Registry holds basic information about each item, or party, and the location of its data pool, so it can identify the source data pool when a recipient subscribes.
- The data model: product content in GDSN follows the GS1 Global Data Model, which defines a globally consistent set of foundational product attributes needed to list, store, move and sell products.
GS1 describes GDSN as the world's largest product data network.
How an item moves through GDSN, per GS1
The supplier prepares internal data and systems to match GS1 standards, such as the GTIN and GLN.
The supplier uploads its data to a GDSN-certified source data pool of its choice, in-house or third party.
The data pool sends basic information about each item to the GS1 Global Registry, which records where the data lives.
Data recipients subscribe to the supplier's items through their own GDSN-certified data pool.
Trading partners publish and subscribe, and item data can then synchronize automatically and continuously between their data pools.
What it carries
GS1 US lists the kind of information trading partners share through GDSN: product attributes such as weight, description, brand name, product information, the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and manufacturer information. GS1's support guidance says suppliers and customers synchronize item data and location (party) data, identified with GS1 keys such as the GTIN and the GLN.
GDSN vs GS1
- GS1: the organization that creates the standards that help businesses accurately identify and share details about their products, such as the GTIN.
- GDSN: one GS1 service built on those standards, a network of certified data pools and the GS1 Global Registry that exchanges the product data itself.
Example
A manufacturer sells a brass hose fitting to a distributor that asks for item data through GDSN.
- The manufacturer assigns the fitting a GTIN and records its description, brand name and weight to match GS1 standards.
- It uploads the item to its certified data pool, which registers the item with the GS1 Global Registry.
- The distributor subscribes to the item through its own certified data pool.
- When the manufacturer later corrects the fitting's weight in its data pool, the corrected item data can synchronize automatically to the distributor's data pool through the same subscription.
On Shopify
Shopify product records can hold GTINs, one of the GS1 keys GDSN item data uses. You can add up to 20 barcodes to a product or a variant, and a GTIN can be 8, 12, 13 or 14 digits. A barcode that's registered with GS1 is set to the GTIN type automatically.
For the master data around those identifiers, Shopify says larger or more complex businesses may connect a PIM to Shopify when they need advanced enrichment, approvals, localization, or syndication. Shopify says a PIM can be useful when a retailer needs Shopify to receive approved, enriched product data from a dedicated upstream system.
How Uncap helps
Uncap's guide to choosing a PIM for Shopify makes the upstream point: product master data for B2B operations originates in the ERP. Before choosing a PIM, it says, map how product data flows from your ERP into the PIM and from the PIM into Shopify.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What does GDSN stand for?
GDSN stands for Global Data Synchronization Network. It is the GS1 network of interoperable, GDSN-certified data pools that trading partners use to share product master data with continuous updates.
What is the difference between GDSN and GS1?
GS1 is the organization that creates the standards businesses use to identify and share details about their products, such as the GTIN. GDSN is one GS1 service: a network of certified data pools and the GS1 Global Registry that exchanges product data built on those standards.
What is a GDSN provider?
A GDSN provider is an organization that offers GDSN-certified data pool services. GS1 says a certified data pool is a solution built to comply with GS1 standards and tested for interoperability within GDSN. GS1 publishes a list of certified data pools, and only trading partners using one can synchronize data through GDSN.
How does GDSN work?
GDSN works in five steps, per GS1: suppliers prepare data to GS1 standards, upload it to a certified data pool, and the pool registers each item with the GS1 Global Registry. Recipients subscribe through their own data pool, and item data can then synchronize automatically between the two pools.
