All About B2B » Consumer Products http://www.gxsblogs.com Strength in Information. All Things B2B e-Commerce Wed, 16 May 2012 13:02:20 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Joint Venture of SA2-1SYNC brings More Consolidation to the Data Pool Market http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2012/05/joint-venture-of-sa2-1sync-brings-more-consolidation-to-the-data-pool-market.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2012/05/joint-venture-of-sa2-1sync-brings-more-consolidation-to-the-data-pool-market.html#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 15:09:22 +0000 Steve Keifer http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=7392 On Tuesday, GS1 US and GS1 Germany announced that it was creating a joint venture between their data pool subsidiaries - 1SYNC and SA2.  SA2 and 1SYNC operate the two largest data pools in the world.  The combined entity will host more than 7 million items synchronized between 15,000 businesses.  This new joint venture is [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2012/05/joint-venture-of-sa2-1sync-brings-more-consolidation-to-the-data-pool-market.html/feed 0 World Super Powers Begin Herding Geese http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2012/03/world-super-powers-begin-herding-geese.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2012/03/world-super-powers-begin-herding-geese.html#comments Sun, 25 Mar 2012 20:02:55 +0000 Mark Morley http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=7035 In January 2012, GXS’ VP of Global Marketing, Steve Keifer, had a meeting with a UK Government Minister at the Houses of Parliament in London. It was a very productive meeting where GXS’ Head of eInvoicing Nigel Taylor provided an update on why companies should think about moving away from paper based invoicing to eInvoicing. [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2012/03/world-super-powers-begin-herding-geese.html/feed 1 2012′s Big Show delivers retail’s new rules with style http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2012/01/2012s-big-show-delivers-retails-new-rules-with-style.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2012/01/2012s-big-show-delivers-retails-new-rules-with-style.html#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:03:33 +0000 Melanie Nuce http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=6693 Each January, I look forward to my pilgrimage to the Big Apple to attend the annual conference hosted by the National Retail Federation (NRF). It is a rare opportunity to hear from many of the industry’s best and brightest across a wide array of retail formats. The theme of this year BIG SHOW was “Retail’s [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2012/01/2012s-big-show-delivers-retails-new-rules-with-style.html/feed 0 2012 will be the year of the cross-channel purchase order for retail http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/12/2012-will-be-the-year-of-the-cross-channel-purchase-order-for-retail.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/12/2012-will-be-the-year-of-the-cross-channel-purchase-order-for-retail.html#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:08:43 +0000 Melanie Nuce http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=6556 In an effort to provide consumers opportunities to engage with retailers anytime and anywhere, companies are turning to creative methods for managing purchase orders to maximize their product offerings and availability, while continuing to manage the risk associated with carrying too much inventory. Retailers offer products through their web sites and mobile applications that cannot [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/12/2012-will-be-the-year-of-the-cross-channel-purchase-order-for-retail.html/feed 3 A community comes together to communicate about the conundrum of the cross-channel purchase order http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/12/a-community-comes-together-to-communicate-about-the-conundrum-of-the-cross-channel-purchase-order.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/12/a-community-comes-together-to-communicate-about-the-conundrum-of-the-cross-channel-purchase-order.html#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:58:40 +0000 Melanie Nuce http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=6554 Over the past twenty-five years, the retail and consumer products industries have a proven track record of working well together to develop community-based standards to help improve business-to-business communications. From their broad adoption of EDI, data synchronization, carton labeling, and other best practices, I would argue that they serve as a terrific example of how [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/12/a-community-comes-together-to-communicate-about-the-conundrum-of-the-cross-channel-purchase-order.html/feed 1 2011 – The Year Cloud Computing Went Mainstream http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2011/12/2011-the-year-cloud-computing-went-mainstream.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2011/12/2011-the-year-cloud-computing-went-mainstream.html#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:33:16 +0000 Mark Morley http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=6312 2011 will certainly be remembered as the year when cloud computing went mainstream.  It has got onto the agenda of nearly every CIO around the world and you have not been able to visit an IT related website or read a business related journal without some sort of reference to cloud computing. When you look [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2011/12/2011-the-year-cloud-computing-went-mainstream.html/feed 2 Is it time for Apple to enter the Automotive Industry? http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2011/11/is-it-time-for-apple-to-enter-the-automotive-industry.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2011/11/is-it-time-for-apple-to-enter-the-automotive-industry.html#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:09:12 +0000 Mark Morley http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=6119 Earlier this year I posted a blog entry discussing why I thought Apple and Tesla Motors should try and form a partnership to exploit the growing interest in electric vehicles.  The blog was recently picked up by a student at the University of Florida who asked me to provide some more thoughts on this idea. [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2011/11/is-it-time-for-apple-to-enter-the-automotive-industry.html/feed 1 How the Cloud Helps Manufacturers Address ‘Big Data’ Challenges http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2011/10/how-the-cloud-helps-manufacturers-address-%e2%80%98big-data%e2%80%99-challenges.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2011/10/how-the-cloud-helps-manufacturers-address-%e2%80%98big-data%e2%80%99-challenges.html#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:28:41 +0000 Mark Morley http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=5654 ‘Big Data’ has been highlighted as one of the key IT trends for the next few years, Terrabytes of data will need to be transferred across IT and B2B infrastructures of the future.  But how can you achieve this seamlessly without impacting the performance of your company’s network and of course at the same time [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2011/10/how-the-cloud-helps-manufacturers-address-%e2%80%98big-data%e2%80%99-challenges.html/feed 4 Do you want to win with the Advance Ship Notice (ASN)? Then follow these ten best practices! http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/09/do-you-want-to-win-with-the-advance-ship-notice-asn-then-follow-these-ten-best-practices.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/09/do-you-want-to-win-with-the-advance-ship-notice-asn-then-follow-these-ten-best-practices.html#comments Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:28:24 +0000 Melanie Nuce http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=5638 The Advance Ship Notice (ASN) continues to get a bad rap within the B2B community. I agree that is a difficult document to implement, but largely because it is responsible for carrying some of the most critical event-based supply chain data. Buying organizations want and need to know all the specifics about product movement so they can [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/09/do-you-want-to-win-with-the-advance-ship-notice-asn-then-follow-these-ten-best-practices.html/feed 0 Announcing upgrades to GXS Catalogue – The cornerstone for global retail product synchronization http://www.gxsblogs.com/sampathp/2011/09/announcing-upgrades-to-gxs-catalogue-the-cornerstone-for-global-retail-product-synchronization.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/sampathp/2011/09/announcing-upgrades-to-gxs-catalogue-the-cornerstone-for-global-retail-product-synchronization.html#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:55:18 +0000 Pradheep Sampath http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=5612 Today we announced several exciting enhancements to GXS Catalogue, the industry-leading SaaS solution that enables retailers and suppliers to synchronize over 550 product data attributes including  price, color, size, style and GTIN.  With over 140 million unique retail items, the industry’s largest database of product information plays a pivotal role in helping merchandise suppliers and [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/sampathp/2011/09/announcing-upgrades-to-gxs-catalogue-the-cornerstone-for-global-retail-product-synchronization.html/feed 0 Going somewhere? Upstream supplier integration moves forward while Paris transit stands still http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/06/going-somewhere-upstream-supplier-integration-moves-forward-while-paris-transit-stands-still.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/06/going-somewhere-upstream-supplier-integration-moves-forward-while-paris-transit-stands-still.html#comments Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:39:58 +0000 Melanie Nuce http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=5085 Last week, the Global Upstream Supply Initiative (GUSI) European implementation team had a meeting in Paris.  And while I spent several hours trying to get around Paris due to a train operators’ strike and a complete shortage of taxis, it is clear that GUSI is pushing full steam ahead to pursue deeper adoption, both within the [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/06/going-somewhere-upstream-supplier-integration-moves-forward-while-paris-transit-stands-still.html/feed 0 Celebrating the Invention of the Barcode http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/03/celebrating-the-invention-of-the-barcode.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/03/celebrating-the-invention-of-the-barcode.html#comments Thu, 03 Mar 2011 09:40:04 +0000 Steve Keifer http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=4274 Later today Steve Sasson of Kodak, inventor of the first digital camera in 1975, will be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.  No offense to Mr. Sasson, but we in the B2B e-Commerce sector are more excited about another inventor, Norman Joseph Woodland, who also will be inducted today.  Woodland is one of [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/03/celebrating-the-invention-of-the-barcode.html/feed 0 GXS’ Edison to Compete on the Price is Right http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/02/gxs%e2%80%99-edison-to-compete-on-the-price-is-right.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/02/gxs%e2%80%99-edison-to-compete-on-the-price-is-right.html#comments Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:39:14 +0000 Steve Keifer http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=4205 The big news last week was the victory of IBM’s Watson over former champions Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter on Jeopardy.  While the rest of world is still trying to contemplate the significance of this triumph of machine over man, GXS has been busy planning a response.  Why?  Because since acquiring our archrival Sterling Commerce [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/02/gxs%e2%80%99-edison-to-compete-on-the-price-is-right.html/feed 2 What Zappos.com can teach us about the Supply Chain http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/02/what-zappos-com-can-teach-us-about-the-supply-chain.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/02/what-zappos-com-can-teach-us-about-the-supply-chain.html#comments Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:00:59 +0000 Steve Keifer http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=4086 Over the holidays I read Tony Hseih’s excellent book Delivering Happiness.  Tony, of course, is the CEO of the fast growing on-line footwear retailer Zappos.com.  The book has been widely read and discussed.  For most people the key takeaway is the lessons learned about Zappos strong corporate culture and excellence in customer service.  However, there [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/02/what-zappos-com-can-teach-us-about-the-supply-chain.html/feed 5 When to Stop Invoicing Your Customers http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/02/when-to-stop-invoicing-your-customers.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/02/when-to-stop-invoicing-your-customers.html#comments Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:31:19 +0000 Steve Keifer http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=4066 Invoices are a major source of inefficiency in the supply chain, but not just because so many of these documents are exchanged in paper format.   The most costly source of inefficiencies are invoice inaccuracies and the associated disputes and deductions.  For example, suppliers to the general merchandise and department store segment lose an average of [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/02/when-to-stop-invoicing-your-customers.html/feed 0 How will Tablet Devices Impact the High Tech Industry in 2011? http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2011/01/how-will-tablet-devices-impact-the-high-tech-industry-in-2011.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2011/01/how-will-tablet-devices-impact-the-high-tech-industry-in-2011.html#comments Thu, 20 Jan 2011 11:50:37 +0000 Mark Morley http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=3976 In an earlier blog entry I discussed the likely B2B trends in the Manufacturing industry in 2011 and in this particular blog entry I will expand on some of my thoughts relating to Tablet devices and how they are likely to impact the High Tech supply chain this year. 2011 will be the year of [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2011/01/how-will-tablet-devices-impact-the-high-tech-industry-in-2011.html/feed 0 CPSIA – The Certificate Exchange Challenge http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/01/cpsia-%e2%80%93-the-certificate-exchange-challenge.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/01/cpsia-%e2%80%93-the-certificate-exchange-challenge.html#comments Fri, 14 Jan 2011 16:45:14 +0000 Steve Keifer http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=3875 The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) debate is heating up once again as another key deadline approaches in February.  Back in December 2009, the CPSC decided to extend a stay on certification and third party testing for children’s products subject to lead content limits until February 10, 2011. Under this decision, products must still [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2011/01/cpsia-%e2%80%93-the-certificate-exchange-challenge.html/feed 0 In 2011, the power is in the hands of the consumer; literally and figuratively http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/01/in-2011-the-power-is-in-the-hands-of-the-consumer-literally-and-figuratively.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/01/in-2011-the-power-is-in-the-hands-of-the-consumer-literally-and-figuratively.html#comments Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:26:03 +0000 Melanie Nuce http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=3872 In previous years, the influence in retail rested with the big brands.  Large consumer goods, apparel, and footwear manufacturers were driving the market with robust advertising and dominant messaging (see: Nike).  Then the baton changed hands and we saw tier 1 retailers taking over with broad and deep private label programs, strong marketing messages,  and even stronger [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2011/01/in-2011-the-power-is-in-the-hands-of-the-consumer-literally-and-figuratively.html/feed 0 Could Foursquare reduce Out-of-Stocks? http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/12/could-foursquare-reduce-out-of-stocks.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/12/could-foursquare-reduce-out-of-stocks.html#comments Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:55:04 +0000 Steve Keifer http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=3715 In my last post, I discussed how supply chain visibility could be greatly improved if inventory could simply check-in to various locations much as a mobile phone user does on Foursquare.  While the RFID technology for such a model does exist, efforts to justify a business case to deploy the necessary IT infrastructure have largely [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/12/could-foursquare-reduce-out-of-stocks.html/feed 0 Point of Sale Data Does Not Capture True End User Demand http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/12/point-of-sale-data-does-not-capture-true-end-user-demand.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/12/point-of-sale-data-does-not-capture-true-end-user-demand.html#comments Tue, 14 Dec 2010 02:49:31 +0000 Steve Keifer http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=3699 I visited a national book store chain this afternoon with the hope of finishing up some holiday shopping for my parents.  But I walked out 10 minutes later with no purchases.  Although there were a few books that I was ready to buy, the primary item I was seeking to purchase was not on display.  [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/12/point-of-sale-data-does-not-capture-true-end-user-demand.html/feed 0 In home furnishings retail, tweens rule and parents drool http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2010/12/in-home-furnishings-retail-tweens-rule-and-parents-drool.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2010/12/in-home-furnishings-retail-tweens-rule-and-parents-drool.html#comments Mon, 06 Dec 2010 11:00:34 +0000 Melanie Nuce http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=3656 Most parents are probably familiar with some version of the saying that I adapted for this post.  Though never levied against me by my own offspring (under threat of severe punishment, I’m sure), I’ve heard it often enough as part of the social banter between kids on the school campus and around town. Children ages 9-12 have [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/nucem/2010/12/in-home-furnishings-retail-tweens-rule-and-parents-drool.html/feed 0 Toy Story – The Supply Chain Edition http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/11/toy-story-the-supply-chain-edition.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/11/toy-story-the-supply-chain-edition.html#comments Tue, 23 Nov 2010 12:51:36 +0000 Steve Keifer http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=3563 In my last post, I discussed how the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) will lead to a safer Christmas for children this year due to its tighter restrictions on the use of lead and Phthalates in toys, games and youth apparel.  But were toys really that unsafe before the CPSIA regulation?  The roots of [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/11/toy-story-the-supply-chain-edition.html/feed 0 CPSIA – Keeping Our Children Safer on Black Friday http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/11/cpsia-keeping-our-children-safer-on-black-friday.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/11/cpsia-keeping-our-children-safer-on-black-friday.html#comments Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:10:12 +0000 Steve Keifer http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=3547 Just four days until Black Friday.  Major retailers have already announced major “doorbuster” deals for those die-hard shoppers willing to brave cold temperatures and early morning lines for a chance at a good deal.  Most of the purchases my family will make this year are toys, games and clothing for our two children.  My hope [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/11/cpsia-keeping-our-children-safer-on-black-friday.html/feed 1 Point of Sale Data Sharing – A Case Study in Standards Deviation http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/10/point-of-sale-data-sharing-%e2%80%93-a-case-study-in-standards-deviation.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/10/point-of-sale-data-sharing-%e2%80%93-a-case-study-in-standards-deviation.html#comments Wed, 27 Oct 2010 02:45:58 +0000 Steve Keifer http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=3404 In an earlier post I outlined seven key challenges with sharing POS data between retailers and suppliers.  Variations in the network protocols, file formats and data fields complicate information sharing efforts acting as barriers to enhanced collaboration.  Given the technology challenges outlined above the universal agreement on the benefits of demand driven approaches, why then [...]

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]]> http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/10/point-of-sale-data-sharing-%e2%80%93-a-case-study-in-standards-deviation.html/feed 0 Seven Technology Challenges with Sharing Point-of-Sale Data http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/09/seven-technology-challenges-with-sharing-point-of-sale-data.html http://www.gxsblogs.com/keifers/2010/09/seven-technology-challenges-with-sharing-point-of-sale-data.html#comments Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:01:18 +0000 Steve Keifer http://www.gxsblogs.com/?p=3269 Most retailers and consumer products suppliers would agree that collaborative demand planning efforts have not reached their full potential.  There are many competing theories on the root cause of the roadblocks to better information sharing.  The technology to enable sharing of demand signal data such as Point-of-Sale (POS) between retailers and suppliers has existed for [...]

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