GS1 GDSN: definition and role in PIM

In PIM practice, GDSN is the standard route for product data from suppliers to retailers and distributors. Consumer goods, food, health and beauty and healthcare suppliers use it most. A supplier publishes item data to its data pool, and each retailer receives it through its own certified data pool. GTINs and GLNs identify the items and parties.

Illustrative example: a food manufacturer maintains nutritional values, allergens and packaging hierarchies in its PIM. The PIM publishes updates to a GDSN data pool, and three retail chains receive the changes without separate spreadsheets.

In a selection, buyers in retail-facing industries should test the GDSN connection explicitly. Relevant points are packaging hierarchies, target market rules, validation messages from the data pool and handling of recipient feedback. Some PIM vendors connect to data pools directly, and others rely on partners.