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
2005 GS1 AUSTRALIA ANNUALREPORT
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...
2005 GS1 AUSTRALIA ANNUALREPORT
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
2005 GS1 AUSTRALIA ANNUALREPORT
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.
2005 GS1 AUSTRALIA ANNUALREPORT
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.
2005 GS1 AUSTRALIA ANNUALREPORT
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
2005 GS1 AUSTRALIA ANNUALREPORT
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.
2005 GS1 AUSTRALIA ANNUALREPORT
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.
2005 GS1 AUSTRALIA ANNUALREPORT
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
2005 GS1 AUSTRALIA ANNUALREPORT
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