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UCCnet Deploys Data Synchronization Services Release 2.2

Posted on: Thursday, 31 July 2003, 06:00 CDT

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 2003--

New Version Complies to EAN.UCC System Standards by

introducing XML Schemas as Standard Messaging for the

Global Data Synchronization Network

UCCnet(R), a not-for-profit organization that provides product registry, validation and synchronization services, today announced the recent deployment of its Data Synchronization Services release 2.2. This new version incorporates technology which will allow UCCnet subscribers to exchange and synchronize data with their trading partners on a global scale, and across many new industry vertical markets.

UCCnet Data Synchronization Services now uses Extensible Markup Language (XML) schemas for standard messaging. The new schema-based technology complies with the new Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) standards, which govern the communication and data synchronization between the UCCnet GLOBALregistry(R) service (a global registry or index of product and company information) and individual company catalogs of product information. This technology standard establishes a common electronic communication architecture for companies around the world to do business with each other more efficiently and effectively.

Additionally, this new release introduces several of the EAN.UCC System (a global standards system co-managed and administered by the Uniform Code Council) schemas used to achieve data synchronization in, and between, industry verticals such as hardlines, apparel, and fast moving consumer goods. The standards of the EAN.UCC System provide companies in 23 major industry verticals with a global language of business to uniquely identify products, assets, locations and logistics units, and the corresponding electronic information, across the global supply chain. The EAN.UCC System is currently used by nearly one million member companies worldwide.

"With the deployment of UCCnet Data Synchronization Services release 2.2, UCCnet positions its synchronization service to support the EAN.UCC System and GDSN standards," said Fred Geiger, Senior Vice President for UCCnet. "This means that more companies in more industries can do business on a global scale, seamlessly exchanging data between multiple partners, while maintaining data integrity. Also, our new architecture is scalable and extensible which will facilitate the fast integration of new business solutions and new functionality as standards evolve in the coming years. UCCnet Data Synchronization Services offer true interoperability, without having to sacrifice the industry specific nuances that have made data synchronization problematic in the past."

UCCnet delivered Data Synchronization Services release 2.2 for beta testing in mid May 2003 to select UCCnet solution partners certified on the previous 2.1 release. Solution partners who have completed beta testing are eligible to participate in a six-month FASTstart Early Adopter Program that allows them to build and test their partners' applications using the new 2.2 release prior to moving to final production. The beta test included a hardlines industry vertical component that used the EAN.UCC hardlines XML schema to test the system. Several new key business processes, such as tiered Distributor/Broker/DSD, wholesaler, and multi-sourced private label, were also tested. These business processes are supported through the GDSN model.

The UCCnet GLOBALregistry service has earned strong global support, with endorsements by EAN International, the Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Standards Association (VICS), the Global Commerce Initiative (GCI), The Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA), the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA), and other industry user groups and trade associations. It is acknowledged worldwide as the multi-industry source where trading partners can locate product, location, and partner information regardless of where subscribing manufacturers have published it.

The UCCnet Data Synchronization Services enable suppliers and their retail partners to reduce costly administrative errors in invoice pricing, purchase orders, and product delivery, and increase scanning accuracy. In addition, companies can increase the speed of getting new products to market and facilitate continuous exchange of changes to existing item information. Synchronized data in a standard format also provides a solid foundation for realizing the true cost savings value of more advanced electronic commerce tools such as scan-based trading and Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR(R)).

About UCCnet

UCCnet enables the registration and publication of product information (such as weight and dimensions) by providing a global repository for standardized item, location and trading partner data. Suppliers provide item, location and trading partner information to the GLOBALregistry. UCCnet then checks the data for compliance to EAN.UCC standards and validates the data with demand side partners, ensuring that all trading partners are using identical, updated, EAN.UCC standards-compliant data. UCCnet is a not-for-profit subsidiary of the Uniform Code Council, Inc. Visit www.uccnet.org for more information.

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