Upstream
Background
Global Commerce Initiative: GCI estimates that nearly 2000 implementations for this standard are scheduled for the end of 2008: With over 1000 implementations via B2B and some additional 1000 implementations via portal solutions. Activity is also expanding from Europe to North America, Australia and New Zealand and Asia.
The introduction of the Global Upstream Initiative
In 2003, a group of manufacturers of Consumer Packaged Goods and their suppliers decided to form a working group (called the Global Upstream initiative – GUSI) to define a common way to provide tighter integration of their supply chains. At the end of 2004, the Global Commerce Initiative (GCI) initiated a new working group which incorporated the already-active GUSI members.
Members
The following companies (in alpha order) are global GUSI members or supporters. (Source: GCI, 2007)
• Ajinomoto • Alcan Food • Alcan Packaging • Avebe • Augustin • BASF • Coca-Cola Company • Constantia Flexibles Holding Gmbh • Crown Europe • Danisco • Darégal • Dow Corning • DSM • Elpack S.A • Euroma • Firmenich • Georgia Pacific Corporation • Givaudan • Groupe Danone • GundLach Verpacking • GundLach Verpackung • H.J. Heinz • Heineken • Henkel • Huhtamaki • International Flavours and Fragrances (IFF) • IOI Group • J.M. Smucker Company • Jokey plastic Gmbh • Kellogg’s • Kimberly-Clark Europe • Kraft Foods • L’Oréal • Mayr-Melnhof Karton Gmbh and Co Kg • National Starch • Nestlé • Novozymes • Philips Lighting BV • Procter and Gamble • Quest International • Royal Sens • RPC Bebo Plastic • SaaleMühle Alsleben Gmbh • Sara Lee/De • SCA Packaging • Smurfit Kappa Group • Symrise • Tetra Pak International SA • The Dow Chemical Company • Unilever • Van Genechten Packaging • Wart • Zentis.
Upstream Integration Model
Since then GCI, together with the Working Group and GS1, has successfully designed an Upstream Integration Model (UIM2.2) and supporting XML message standards for manufacturers of consumer product goods and suppliers of packaging, ingredients and raw materials. The aim of this model and message standards is to provide tighter integration of supply chains without the need for costly and time-consuming IT integration projects with every partner, and both the model and messages are now being implemented across multiple countries across the world by many companies. The cost savings and benefits of this solution will not only be seen in the upstream end of the supply chain, but will inevitably flow downstream to the customers and consumers. Some of the world's largest consumer packaged goods manufacturers and their suppliers have identified significant benefits in using standard solutions.
The companies reported:
- Faster integration:
- up to 75% reduction in the time taken to connect to new partners - Reduced IT costs:
- Set-up: reduced development and training costs (both IT and business staff )
- Maintenance: due to phasing out of multiple non-standard interfaces - Larger scope:
- Increased ROI by being able to implement across a larger scope of factories and suppliers.
- GUSI is for large and small companies.
Therefore, GUSI works as a multiplier to help achieve collaboration benefits in the following areas:
- Service (product availability, lead time)
- Administration (forecasting, order processing, financial settlement, data management)
- Operation (physical receipt, manufacturing, change-over, truck fill-rate)
- Financial (working capital, inventory)
