Background for Discussion
GTIN-14 on
DEIG Product Label
Distribution Executives Interest Group
March 9, 2006
Page 1
Discussion Points
• Is the configuration of the GTIN-14 on the
DEIG-recommended Product Label the
most appropriate for the Book Industry?
• Once consensus is achieved on the first
point, would more explanation or
description of the coding in the DEIG
Guidelines be helpful?
Page 2
DEIG Product Label
Page 3
What is GTIN-14?
• The Global Trade Item Number (or GTIN) is a
family of internationally recognized identifiers
• It includes:
–
–
–
–
UPC – Universal Product Code (12/13 digits)
EAN – International Article Number (13 digits)
GTIN-14 (14 digits)
Other identifiers
• Any member of the family can be expressed as a
GTIN-14 by right justifying it and zero filling to
the left
Page 4
Why Use GTIN-14?
• We need some way to indicate on the outside of a carton
the contents of that carton
• GTIN-14 was developed by GS1 to meet that need and is
utilized widely by general retailing
• If the Book Industry adopts the GTIN-14 standard (which
we have), we align ourselves with national and global
supply chain practices
• By aligning ourselves with global practices, we:
– Meet the needs of a wide range of customers
– Enable participation in Global Data Synchronization (GDS)
or standardized data distribution
– Gain the potential for supply chain efficiencies
– Leverage techniques developed elsewhere
Page 5
GTIN-14 (Review)
• The GTIN-14 is built by placing the ISBN-13 (or
any other EAN) in a 14-digit field, adding a
prefix, and recalculating the check digit
ISBN-13
978-1-234-56789-7
• Prefix ‘0’ indicates the unit level (the item itself)
GTIN-14 (Unit)
09781234567897
• Prefixes ‘1’ – ‘8’ have significance as packaging
level indicators
GTIN-14 (PL, e.g., Carton)
19781234567894
Page 6
GTIN-14 (Review)
• Prefix ‘0’ indicates unit level (the item itself)
GTIN-14 (Unit)
09781234567897
• This form is used primarily in electronic
communications
– Data Synchronization
– Business Transactions
• It rarely appears on the outside of a carton;
then usually when the carton contains a single
item
Page 7
GTIN-14 and Data Synchronization
• Data synchronization means establishing sources of
standardized product data
– Data with known, validated attributes (properties)
– Data that may be used by all participants in a supply chain
• The GTIN-14 is the standard identifier for Global Data
Synchronization (GDS)
• Participation by the Book Industry in Global Data
Synchronization is inevitable:
– Traditional booksellers sell non-book products
– General retailers sell books
Page 8
GTIN-14 (Review)
• Prefixes ‘1’ – ‘8’ have significance as Packaging
Level indicators
GTIN-14 (PL, e.g., Carton)
19781234567894
• The prefixes do not have fixed definitions
• For one item,
– ‘1’ = Carton of 24
– ‘2’ = Carton of 36
• For another item,
– ‘1’ = Carton of 12
– ‘2’ = Pallet of 400
Page 9
Packaging Level
• Packaging Level is designated by the supplier
– Customers can only request Packaging Levels that have been
designated by the supplier
– Packaging level information must be transmitted before
business transactions can take place
• Packaging level is a major factor in general retail
supply chains (case pack handling)
– Distribution and stock receiving by case pack is more efficient
than single item handling
– Thus most ordering in general retailing is by case pack
Page 10
A Product Handled by Case
GTIN-14
Page 11
Unit and Carton Identifiers
GTIN-14
UPC
(EAN)
Page 12
GTIN-14 Examples In General Retailing
Page 13
Packaging Level Indicator
General Retailing
• By convention or common usage (not mandated by
standard), a leading digit of ‘1’ usually signifies a
basic case pack in general retailing
• Manufacturers may choose other values (‘2’
through ‘’8’) for standard case pack or for other
packaging levels
• In general retailing, Carton Quantity is transmitted
through data synchronization
Page 14
Packaging Level Indicator
Book Industry
• DEIG-recommended Product Label follows
the convention of ‘1’ as case pack
• Carton Quantity is transmitted by inclusion
on the Product Label (for now) and may
vary for the same title
Page 15
DEIG Product Label
GTIN-14 – 19781234567894
Carton Quantity – 24 (this carton only)
Page 16
Packaging Level Indicator
Book Industry
• In the future, other Packaging Levels may
be designated by suppliers to improve
efficiency through the supply chain
Page 17
Discussion Points
• Is the configuration of the GTIN-14 on the
DEIG-recommended Product Label the
most appropriate for the Book Industry?
• Once consensus is achieved on the first
point, would more explanation or
description of the coding in the DEIG
Guidelines be helpful?
Page 18