Terms commonly used in Synkka

The GTIN code is used to identify the Trade Name (retail product, transport packaging, pallet) in the Synkka service. Each unit to be identified must have its own GTIN. The GTIN is always given in 14 characters. If the GTIN of a product has less than 14 characters, it is completed with leading zeros to 14 characters. This does not affect how the GTIN is presented on the package.

The Global Location Number (GLN) is a GS1 Identifier used to identify parties and locations. The GLN consists of a GS1 Company Identifier, optional unique numbers, and a verification number.

The GLN number is used in the Synkka service to identify the data provider. The information provider is a company that sells and markets the product in the Finnish target market.

The Synkka product database is based on the GDSN (Global Data Synchronization Network) standard maintained by the GS1 community. The standard allows product information to be synchronized between sellers / suppliers and buyers (eg retail).

GDSN uses a consistent way to present product information, so suppliers and vendors around the world can report product information in the same way. The standard also provides guidelines for the specific photography of products and the transmission of materials.

Synkka product data pool is GDSN-certified, ie it can participate in the synchronization of data between different markets.

Read more about the GDSN standard:

Global Data Synchronisation Network (GDSN)
Global Product Classification (GPC)
Global Data Dictionary
Access GDSN Standards 

GDSN updates

The Synkka service is constantly updated with new functionalities and information content. Major updates take place annually in May and November, when the product database GDSN product data standard is updated. The documentation related to the changes is aimed at the same customers as early as possible.

Changes to the product data standard occur through a five-step process. In the first step, the GDSN member presents a business need, followed by the collection and analysis of requirements. The third step is the design of the solution, followed by the approval of the solution and finally the implementation.

GPC eli Global Product Classification on maailmanlaajuinen tavararyhmittely, jota käytetään GDSN-pohjaisissa tuotetietopankeissa.

GPC-browser

GPC-browser on työkalu, jolla voi selata GPC-ryhmittelyä. Arvoja voi hakea joko suomeksi tai muilla tarjolla olevilla kielillä. Language-kenttään valitaan kieli ja Publication-kenttään valikon vaihtoehdoista GDSN-tekstin sisältävä vaihtoehto. Suomea käytettäessä valitaan kuvan mukaiset valinnat.

The Finnish information profile contains attributes that are defined for use in Finland and Synkka. In the background is a larger set of attributes (attributes contained in the GDSN standard) from which these have been selected for use.

The attributes used in the user interface are displayed as data fields, in which data is entered either freely or selected from a code list. In addition to these, Synkka has attributes that do not appear in the UI as data fields because they get a standard value. Nevertheless, those attributes must be taken into account in the integration.

Each attribute has its own identification number, or ID number. The id number appears next to the attribute in Synkka's documentation. The ID number is also displayed in the user interface next to each data field.

Product information is always published for the selected target market. When published for the Finnish target market, product information is available to Finnish recipients. Synkka can also be published to target markets in Sweden, Germany and Denmark, for example. The target market is defined at the product launch stage.

Publishing of product information means that the product information is passed on to the recipient of the product information. The product can be published to the database when all the necessary information has been provided and the user interface error report is blank. In connection with the publication of the product, a product information message is formed, in which case the product information is forwarded to the recipients.

Recipients of product information can retrieve, view, and query product information as well as media materials. The query allows the recipient to order the supplier's product information for themselves. The survey can cover all products of the supplier (GLN) or certain products (GTIN). As long as the query is valid, the recipient will receive updated product information whenever the supplier adds, deletes, or updates product information.

The hierarchy level describes the location of the GTIN in the product hierarchy. The hierarchical level is used to link the GTIN to other packages on the product. The following hierarchy levels are used in the Finnish target market:

• Retail product
• Transport packaging
• Pallet

Retail product means the smallest / lowest unit in the packaging hierarchy. This unit is provided with product-specific information, eg additional food information, information on the dangerous substance. All packaging hierarchies must have a retail product. A box, a transport package, refers to the part of the packaging hierarchy in which a retail product is packaged. Pallet or Box pallet means GTIN-encoded pallet. Note that the platform information is only given to the top level in the hierarchy

Product information is transmitted from suppliers to recipients via product information messages. Synka's product information message is an XML message.