The current GDSN trade item data model is “one size fits all” making the new item-attribute requirements constantly being requested increasing difficult to manage. Multiple requirements and variations have put a strain on the data model making it too rigid to facilitate change and incorporate new functionality quickly or efficiently. Additionally, the current data synchronisation model limits the implementation speed for new or critical industry changes such as:
- Compliance with new regulations
- Expansion of data content and technology support for product marketing information (B2C)
- Support for product recall, sustainability, and hazardous materials identification.
One of the 140 change requests included in Major Release 3.1 is the Modular Item Architecture change. Modular Item is a framework for a new GDSN
architecture using 'Context' to enable trade item attributes to be sent through a more efficient and flexible method.
architecture using 'Context' to enable trade item attributes to be sent through a more efficient and flexible method.
Modular Item Architecture with Context once implemented is intended to:
- Remove network complexities and barriers to increase data model flexibility
- Grow network adoption of new and adjacent sectors, and geographies
- Allow data pools to decrease or eliminate “work around” and “out-of-network” routines
- Reduce the time required to deploy new attributes and code values
- Allow new trading partners to adopt GDSN using a small set of attributes at first – reducing the need for costly all or nothing releases.
- Minimize re-mapping efforts
- Improve forward and backward compatibility
- Reduce disruption to current implementations during a network release
Once implemented, Modular Item architecture with Context is anticipated to reduce costs primarily by decreasing the time necessary to identify the business need, define its solution, and deploy it to the network.
The Modular Item architecture plus Context improves infrastructure flexibility and enables a more efficient, effective, less costly network; meeting the growing needs of multiple sectors and regional demands, and allowing the network to accommodate additional growth, volume and further complexities.
Additional information regarding Modular Item and Context may be found in the following documents:
- Position Statement – Preparing GDSN for Future Expansion http://www.gs1.org/docs/gdsn/GDSN_GSMP_Position_Statement_Modular_Item.pdf
- Community Announcement – GS1 Modular Item http://www.gs1.org/docs/gdsn/Community_Announcement_GS1Modular%20Item_2010Mar31.pdf
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