i. Unique identification
Implementation of Project i-TRACE Unique identification requires:
1.The use of GS1 Standards, which includes several ‘identification keys’; these globally unique numbers are assigned by GS1 to external organisations e.g., manufacturers; operators, suppliers/manufacturers of any part, component or asset to be uniquely identified by allocating either a:
- GS1 Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), allocated to all orderable parts, component. Assets may also be allocated a GTIN, if accompanied with Serialisation per physical asset/unit
- GS1 Global Individual Asset Identifiers (GIAIs), allocated to assets
Often referred to as “barcode numbers”, GS1 identification keys (GTIN, GIAI) offer globally unique identification that is interoperable between trading partners, across many countries. Unlike proprietary, unregulated numbering conventions that present several issues, such as varied formats, duplication, and usually requires mapping/translation with external trading partners, meaning added admin and risk.
GS1 Globally Unique Identification numbers provide several benefits - including:
- Locally and globally recognised, a common language between different countries and trading partners
- Used across several industries for over 40 years, becoming the ‘Global Language of Business’
- Issued only by authorised GS1 organisations, barcode numbers are unique and accurate
- Based on global standards, aligned with ISO/IEC Standards, offering structured data for doing better business, operating railways more efficiently and effective, enabling improved MRO and safety
Once allocated, suppliers are to encode the identification keys into GS1 barcode formats, and possibly RFID. Refer to Section ii. Marking with automatic data capture (barcoding and/or RFID tagging)
A range of resources will support your organisation’s further understanding, scoping and Implementation of Project i-TRACE Unique identification – refer to ’Resources’
ii. Marking with automatic data capture (barcoding and/or RFID tagging)
Implementation of Project i-TRACE Marking principles requires:
- The use of GS1 barcodes e.g., GS1 Data Matrix
- Encoding pre-assigned GS1 ‘identification keys’ e.g., GS1 Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), into the GS1 barcode
- Encoding of additional production data e.g., Batch; Serialisation; Date of Manufacture, into the GS1 barcode
- GS1 Barcode Testing Verification, to ensure barcodes scan correctly and meet GS1 specifications, avoiding issues early on
- Marking the part, component or asset with the GS1 barcode in an appropriate marking technique e.g., laser-etching; ink-jet printed; printed label application etc.
- Ensuring your current or new Solution Providers are working to GS1 barcode standards, avoiding the use of proprietary formats which do not align with Project i-TRACE requirements
GS1 barcode standards enable the structured encoding of various data attributes including a globally unique identifier e.g., GTIN, and additional supporting data e.g., Batch; Date of Manufacture; Country of Manufacturer. When a GS1 barcode is scanned, each attribute is returned as a unique data element and represented in an easy-to-understand format. Suppliers, Maintainers and Operators can easily understand each others format across the thousands of parts, components, consumables and assets used in the rail industry.
A range of resources will support your organisation’s further understanding, scoping and Implementation of Project i-TRACE Marking – refer to ’Resources’.
iii. Preparing, sharing and maintaining Material Master Data
Implementation of Project i-TRACE Material Master Data (MMD) requires:
- The use of GS1’s National Product Catalogue (NPC), a data sharing platform used by rail suppliers and operators to share data in a common format for all parts, components and assets
- Suppliers are to review the Rail Industry defined Target Data Set - comprising of several data attributes - and prepare, maintain and publish their MMD to rail operators and maintainers (Publication of data is reliant on pre-assigned GS1 ‘identification keys’ e.g., GS1 Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), the unique identifier for each MMD entry to the NPC)
- Suppliers are to ensure business processes are in-place to keep the NPC up to date; any specification changes that impact data attributes within the NPC must be updated accordingly e.g., pack size; product dimensions/weight; product name etc; new GTIN.
- Ensuring your current or new Solution Providers are working to GS1 data standards, avoiding the use of proprietary formats which do not align with Project i-TRACE requirements for MMD
Digitalisation of Material Master Data within the rail industry is a Project i-TRACE initiative. The ARA calls for the industry to use NPC for Rail to capture and share critical Material Master Data across the rail supply chain - Read Media Release.
A range of resources will support your organisation’s further understanding, scoping and Implementation of Project i-TRACE Material Master Data – refer to ’Resources’.
Do not hesitate to contact the GS1 Australia Rail Team with any queries or for an informal discussion – Contact us today