OpenEC® Solutions

Retailer Solutions

ECCNet & UCCNET Product Registry

Experience has shown that error rates in product listing forms and other business documents such as invoices and purchase orders can be unacceptably high, causing a drain on profits in the retail and grocery industries. The goal of ECCNet & UCCNET is to provide a consistent way to share product data between suppliers and buyers, ensuring the accuracy of product data.

The Problem

The ECCNET & UCCNET Product Registry has significant potential to fix the problem of product data availability and accuracy. The problem for a larger retailer or grocer is that a successful solution is not as simple as just loading product information into purchasing systems.  Consider the following scenarios:

  • A supplier changes a key attribute like package dimensions, ingredients or price
  • A new product is substituted for an old one
  • A new product is added to a catalogue
  • A product that the retailer has been selling is no longer available and is not included in the updated catalogue
  • A new supplier forwards product information to a retailer, even though the retailer has not approved the supplier

The key issue is that item details must be validated and approved before loading into purchasing systems. For Hardlines Retailers, each product can have as many as 151 fields, for grocery retailers, many more fields are available to them. For larger retailers with many products, the volume of data to manage can grow very quickly. Retailers need a way to easily compare versions of a catalogue after it’s been updated and report on differences, as well as the ability to query for potential new products.

Once a product addition or modification has been approved, fields must be mapped and formats converted prior to loading into purchasing systems, where accurate data can then be used to initiate and automate buying processes and support marketing efforts.

The Solution – SoftCare’s ECCnet / UCCNET Quick Start Program for Retailers

SoftCare recognizes that for many retailers, the complexity involved in the implementation of ECCNet and UCCNET can be a very daunting task. In order to maximize the potential benefits, there must be a way to easily compare and validate large volumes of product information, and then format and import that data into purchasing systems.

With that in mind, SoftCare has created its ECCNET / UCCNET Retail Quick Start Program.  It is a comprehensive program for retailers to fully utilize the information available from ECCNet  / UCCNET.  The SoftCare ECC/UCCNET Retail Quick Start Program will help retailers achieve a measurable ROI for the implementation of ECCNet / UCCNET.

The solution provides a way to receive product information via ECCNet / UCCNET, determine the validity of the information and then update the appropriate internal systems. It provides for full control and audit of product information from external sources such as ECCNet / UCCNET, enhances the ability to publish information both internally throughout the enterprise as well as providing a solution for category managers to receive information on updates on existing and new products.

The ECCNet / UCCNET Quick Start Program includes the services, training and software required to implement the consolidation of this information quickly and efficiently.  The SoftCare Solution’s Group provides the necessary consulting services to determine:

  • externally) and how it will be integrated.
  • information prior to updating internal databases? For example, if an item is changed, should the change be immediately accepted or should it be sent to the appropriate catalogue manager for validation prior to the change being reflected in the retailers internal systems.
  • modified or deleted form the internal retailers systems

The SoftCare UCCNET Quickstart Benefits

  • The system provides a simple, completely audited system for receiving UCCNET product information and for updating internal systems once the appropriate decisions on applicability are made
  • Provides the ability to consolidate product registration information form multiple product catalogues (ECCNET, EANNET, Transora, Direct Supplier Catalogues etc.) in a consistent way
  • Reduces ongoing costs to maintain new and changed product listings as well as new requirements from suppliers.
  • Allows effective use of your consolidated product information to increase productivity and reduce costs
  • Simplifies the collection and distribution of product information, specifications and images that can be used by internal applications, departments and staff.   
  • Provides a fully integrated solution to maintain your product information for marketing, sales and distribution.

How the system works:

Initial Data Loading Steps

  1. Send your company’s item information (including department/class structure and the internal “owner” or  “Category Manager” of each item) to the OpenEC Trade Catalogue. This information will be used to validate item information received from ECCNET  / UCCNET and to determine who should be informed if there are differences noted in the information.
  2. The company’s buying structure is cross-referenced to the ECCNet / UCCNET Interim Class Code. The linking is critical as it allows the Catalogue to determine if a product is received from ECCNet / UCCNET but it is not on your company’s internal systems, who should be informed about the item.
  3. Download product information for your company from ECCNet / UCCNET to the OpenEC Trade Catalogue.
  4. The Catalogue validates the product information received from ECCNet / UCCNET vs. what was provided from your internal systems. Any differences are emailed to the appropriate Category Manager. The Manager will accept the difference or reject the load of that item.
  5. If accepted, the item information is sent to the appropriate internal system.
  6. If rejected, an email is passed to the system administrator to action.
  7. For Items not on file, an email is passed to the appropriate Category Manager for that class of product.

Item Modifications

  1. The Catalogue validates the product information received from UCCNET vs. what was provided from your internal systems. Any differences are emailed to the appropriate Category Manager. The Manager must accept the difference of reject the item load.
  2. If accepted, the item information is sent to the appropriate internal system.
  3. If rejected, an email is passed to the system administrator to action.

Item Adds

  1. The Catalogue receives the new item, determines that it is a new item and based on the UCCNET Cross-Reference file, will email the appropriate Category Manager.
  2. If the Category Manager wishes to, they can accept the item, which will update all of the appropriate internal systems.
  3. The product category owner will review the item information and either:
    • Accept the new item
    • Reject the new item
    • Suspend the item and contact the distributor/manufacturer to get further details on the product

Item Deletions

  1. The Catalogue receives the notification of the item deletion, determines the appropriate Category Manager who is emailed about the item deletion.
  2. OpenEC will send the item deletion to the retailers system

Product Sourcing

  1. The Product Category Manager may use the Catalogue interface to review any new items received for their category.
  2. If the Category Manager wishes to, they can accept the item, which will update all of the appropriate internal systems.
  3. The product category owner will review the item information and either:
    • Accept the new item
    • Reject the new item
    • Suspend the item and contact the distributor/manufacturer to get further details on the product