Lisle, Ill., February 16, 2010--- Even before Walmart’s recent announcement that it is implementing a supplier scorecard process to monitor the accuracy and consistency of product data such as item dimensions and weight, Gladson clients have been relying on the Gladson Certified Master Data program to ensure accurate product information.

Though many manufacturers believe that their data are compliant with GS1 standards for product accuracy, industry analyses show that as much as 60 percent of product data is inaccurate. Forrester Research surveys found that less than 30 percent of order lines have 100 percent attribute accuracy, while Walmart’s own studies show accuracy levels of only 46 percent for cube, 55 percent for weight and 85 percent for units per case.

The Gladson program, based on the firm’s industry-leading processes for compiling product master data, is being used by Mars, PepsiCo, Kraft, Unilever and other manufacturers to create comprehensive, accurate and continuously-updated databases of product information. These databases support Global Data Synchronization Network- (GDSN) related initiatives of retailers and distributors such as Walmart, Wegmans and McLane.

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

“While a significant number of manufacturers are synchronizing data through GDSN, many of them are synchronizing inaccurate data, a fact that Walmart’s recent letter addresses,” said Gladson president and CEO Mark Shapiro. “Our program, which is based upon laser measurements of products in actual distribution, can help manufacturers achieve the 100 percent product data accuracy that Walmart and other retailers expect.”

About Gladson

Gladson (www.gladson.com), 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.