I normally don’t count Russia as a typical place for IT first movers, but in this case my prejudices proved wrong. In an earlier post I mentioned the potential of the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN), but at that time it wasn’t really implemented anywhere, and information on the initiative was still very scarce. But now it looks like something finally happens.
The German based Metro Group has announced that they will use the GDSN, to update their product information in Russia. In order to leverage such a network, suppliers obviously need to be in on it as well. And initially, a limited, but heavy array of suppliers has joined METRO Group in starting this initiative up, as it potentially has a lot of benefits for all involved partners. Kraft Foods, Nestle and Procter & Gamble has currently signed up for the participation in GDSN, and with these big players, its hard to imagine others won’t soon follow suit.
Metro Group has long been a front runner in testing and implementation of new technology, e.g. their RFID implementation in their Future Store in Tönisvorst Germany. Product data is currently already being synchronized via GDSN in Germany, Poland and in the U.K, and Metro Group have plans to roll out the technology here in Denmark as well.
via marketwatch.com