The program is based upon Gladson’s industry-leading processes for compiling product master data. Leading manufacturers like Mars, PepsiCo and Kraft are using it to create comprehensive, accurate and continuously-updated databases of product information for product cases, inner-packs and retail units. These databases help streamline internal operations and support data exchange with trading partners to simultaneously build trust and eliminate the need for costly manual verification.

 

Leading retailers and distributors, including Wegman’s and McLane, are already accepting data generated by this program and have seen significant improvements in the quality of the data that they receive from their trading partners. This reduces the need to re-measure and verify product dimensions, speeds product acceptance and distribution, and reduces costs across the supply chain.

 

“Product data quality is essential to an efficient supply chain,” said Marianne Timmons, vice president, supply chain strategy at Wegman’s. “We’ve seen significant improvement in the accuracy of data we receive from those manufacturers that are using Gladson services.”

 

“Gladson’s certification program improves product data quality and accuracy, especially in terms of measurements, weights, case pack information, bar code scanability and GTIN allocation rules,” said Beckey James, e-commerce manager of McLane Company. “This is an important step toward establishing trust in the quality and consistency of data we receive from vendors and facilitates our new product acceptance process.”

 

“Manufacturers are using the Gladson Certified Master Data Program to improve the accuracy of the product information and master data within their own organizations and for synchronizing with retailers,” said Mark Shapiro, Gladson’s president and CEO. “The program addresses many of the issues surrounding the accuracy of data required for GDSN and helps alleviate chronic industry problems such as ballooning freight and warehouse costs, order and invoice accuracy issues and inconsistent master data management.”

 

Gladson, headquartered in Lisle, Ill., is the leading provider of product information and category management services to consumer packaged goods manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers and brokers. The company builds databases of product information and package images for a wide range of uses, including shelf space management, category management, logistics and advertising and e-commerce applications such as online shopping, nutrition programs and other services for consumers. Gladson also provides data analysis, consulting and in-store merchandising solutions that support efficient planogram implementation and increase product sales.