Ensuring Data Quality for the Information-Savvy Shopper

By: Daniel Triot, Senior Director, FMI-GMA Trading Partner Alliance

Data quality makes consumer transparency in the supply chain possible. However retailers and trading partners today have to balance consumer expectation with business efficiencies. From reducing product damages to improving warehouse operations and traceability, retailers and suppliers today can enhance data quality to improve supply chain operations and satisfy consumer demands.

Given the growing need for enhanced data quality and the importance of a sound framework, we’ve designed several sessions with that topic in mind at the 2016 TPA Supply Chain Conference and teamed up with GS1 US for a co-located workshop. The GS1 US National Data Quality Program helps manufacturers and food retailers address data governance challenges through the supply chain. Here are some specific data-quality learning opportunities attendees will benefit from:

1. Partnering in a Shared Supply Chain – A Case for Data Quality: In order to optimize quality data, not only should it be maintained internally, but it must also be shared with one’s trading partners. This allows faster movement of product and data through the entire supply chain. This concept will be discussed by two leaders in the grocery industry, Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. and The Hershey Company. They'll also be joined by GS1 US, a critical partner in data sharing along the supply chain.

2. Conference Tracks reinforce the need for Data Quality: Because data quality touches so many areas of the supply chain, it is emphasized in many sessions of the conference.

• Product Life Cycle Track - data quality to reduce product damages
• Regulatory Track - hazmat packaging identification
• Supply Chain Optimization Track – collaboration between trading partners to improve on-shelf availability
• Transportation Track – on-time delivery
• Fresh Foods Track - cold chain temperature control requirements

3. GS1 US Data Quality Workshop: Through industry collaboration within the GS1 US Data Quality Discussion Group, industry stakeholders identified three main components of an effective data quality program: data governance, education and training protocol, and auditing product attributes. This constitutes the GS1 US National Data Quality Program, which is the topic of the full-day data quality workshop on February 25.

There are many ways to address data quality challenges and resources developed with input from industry are available to help you assess the quality of your product data and take specific steps to enhance your data quality program. See the full program and more at www.TPASupplyChain.com and share your conference experiences on social media using #TPASupplyChain.