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Category: DataKart

Understanding Datakart: Revolutionizing Product Data Management

Posted on by Heena

In a world with billions of products, keeping track of every piece of information, manually, can be overwhelming. Interestingly, until the mid-2010s, this manual tracking of product data was very common. Businesses used to rely heavily on manual data entry practices, which included – maintaining spreadsheets, physical catalogues and basic databases that lacked key features. These time-consuming methods were prone to inefficiencies, inconsistent information, limited accessibility and had restricted data update capabilities.

To mitigate these challenges and streamline product data management, GS1 India launched its DataKart service in 2016. In this blog, you will be introduced to GS1 DataKart, and its advantages and learn the steps of DataKart login. 

Introduction to DataKart

DataKart was introduced in the Indian market by the industry to help the industry. GS1 India collaborated with key industry stakeholders to implement a common product data management system for Indian businesses. Right after it was launched, it became a single source of reliable information for retailers, online marketplaces, institutional buyers and even millions of Kirana stores. It is a nationalised repository of retailed products and contains information on different product attributes like regulatory information, marketing information, packaging information, legal information and also information on product quality. 

DataKart makes it possible for different departments of a business to seamlessly share, upload and edit product information in real-time. It enables the sharing of accurate and updated data on the Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) with the retailers in a standardised, structured and timely manner. In addition, it empowers consumers by facilitating access to authentic product information through the Smart Consumer Application.

What is DataKart?

DataKart is an online, cloud-based service developed by GS1 India to promote the upload and exchange of reliable product information between multiple shareholders like retailers, manufacturers, online shopping sites etc. It facilitates automated product information exchange that is real-time, which was not possible earlier in outdated product data management systems.

DataKart’s product database is used by thousands of brand owners, retailers/e-tailers and solution providers in the Indian market to ensure they get authentic information at a centralized location. Introduction to DataKart has removed dependency from third-party crowd-sourced information which has helped retailers and businesses regulate the supply and procurement of products in the market. Retailers such as Amazon, Flipkart, More, Big Basket, Reliance, Jio Mart, etc. use DataKart to benefit from its unique features. 

DataKart for Brand Owners 

For brand owners, GS1 India DataKart works as a single platform to connect with retailers and multiple online marketplaces. With the help of DataKart, brand owners consolidate their data and share it on a single platform. 

Below mentioned are some of the benefits that brand owners enjoy with DataKart. 

  • Manage Product Codes & Generate Barcodes – With DataKart you can generate product codes like GTIN/EAN or UPC on one platform. This will eliminate the chances of wrong or duplicate code assignment to products. Additionally, you can view the complete product lifecycle right from its history. 
  • Instant Product Update – Product data can be viewed by retailers in their native file formats and you can receive instant acknowledgement from retailers on any information changes. 
  • Minimised Inconsistencies – DataKart helps ensure product information is consistent and accurate across all the platforms. Whatever information the manufacturers/brand owners upload on the DataKart platform gets updated throughout the systems. This will eliminate the chances of wrong or duplicate code assignment to products.
  • Upload Product Images as per Global Standards – ClickIt is an app that helps manufacturers take catalogue-ready pictures of their products. These pictures once taken get automatically synced with the DataKart account of the manufacturers wherein they can edit them as per global imaging standards. 
  • Compliance with Regulations – DataKart ensures compliance with regulations as brand owners can link product codes such as GTIN/EAN and UPC with Harmonised System Nomenclature (HSN) codes through DataKart. These codes when linked will help retailers in efficiently categorising all the goods for tax or regulatory purposes, empowering them to meet the tax requirements smoothly. 

Brand owners can also enter FSSAI, AGMARK, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, etc. regulatory information on their product detail page through DataKart. 

  • Reach Consumers – Once your product details are uploaded and verified, they automatically get reflected on the Smart Consumer app. Through the Smart Consumer app, you can run promotions of your new product launches and reach consumers instantly. 
  • Implementation Support – GS1 India provides implementation support to all users. You get a dedicated technical support team and timely implementation support without fail.

DataKart for Retailers  

Retailers and e-commerce marketplaces have to manage a large variety of Stock Keeping Units (SKUs). DataKart helps them by providing information on different products straight from the manufacturers. This eliminates the flow of wrong information and empowers them in multiple ways, 

Some of which are mentioned below – 

  • Verifiable Product Information – Information available on the DataKart platform is verified and trusted. It is sourced from the manufacturers of the products which validates the authenticity and reliability of the information. Verified information ensures there is no exchange of misleading product information.
  • Optimised Planogramming – With DataKart you can obtain high-quality product images which can help you optimise your retail shelves by leveraging data received on the size and weight of the products (SKUs).
  • Sync with Master Data Management Systems – DataKart can be directly synced with retail-level master data management systems (MDM). This ensures that product information is consistent across all the systems.

How DataKart is Revolutionising Product Data Management

DataKart is making it possible for businesses and retailers to easily access accurate and trusted product information in a commonplace. This service has enabled multiple businesses to realise their business goals and solve issues pertaining to outdated, incomplete and wrong data on products. Similar were the challenges that were faced by Indian retailers and marketplaces like Big Basket. They wanted to verify product details from around the globe and access accurate and up-to-date product information. 

DataKart has been continuously tailored to meet the required expectations and requirements of businesses. In June 2019, GS1 India DataKart enhanced its capabilities by leveraging GS1’s ‘Verified by GS1’ initiative, enabling it to serve a global audience. Retailers and marketplaces like BigBasket took advantage of this opportunity and are verifying GTINs of global products through DataKart. Today, these businesses remain consistently informed, receiving timely notifications whenever a brand owner updates product information.

With the help of DataKart, retailers and marketplaces like BigBasket can validate GTINs before they onboard new products, speeding up the identification of duplicates. DataKart has enabled marketplaces like BigBasket to reduce their catalogue errors by almost 80% and has facilitated faster product listing with information being already uploaded on the platform.

DataKart Login: How to Access and Get Started

Follow the below-mentioned steps to create your DataKart account and start your journey of seamless product data management. 

Registering as a business owner

  • Step 1: To access GS1 India DataKart, retailers, marketplaces and business owners first need to get registered for barcodes. To get registered, visit the ‘Register for Barcodes’ page on GS1 India’s website or simply follow this link – https://www.gs1india.org/content/register-for-barcodes/. 
  • Step 2:  Click on the ‘Register Now’ button, you will then be asked to complete the barcode registration form. Enter your company details, contact details, and other necessary information as asked in the form. 
  • Step 3: Submit required documents such as your PAN card copy,  your P&L page, a copy of GST/VAT/TIN etc.
  • Step 4: Select the number of barcodes –  100,1000,10000 or 100000 and select the subscription validity period. It is recommended companies consider any business expansion goals before selecting the number of barcodes. Barcode licence once obtained cannot be renewed or updated. 
  • Step 5: Complete the process by paying one-time registration fees along with the subscription fee. You will receive a copy of your allotment letter within 7-10 working days. In your allotment letter, you will find your Global Company Prefix (GCP) which can be used to log into your DataKart account. 

Registering as a Retailer/E-commerce Marketplace 

  • Step 1: Visit the ‘DataKart for Retailers’ page on GS1 India’s website or simply follow this link – https://www.gs1india.org/datakart-retailers/
  • Step 2: Click on the Registration button on the Register As Retailer/E-Commerce Marketplace banner as shown below. 
  • Step 3: Fill the registration form. Enter your user details and contact information and click on the register button on the form.
  • Step 4: Once you do this GS1 India’s team will reach out to you for registration. After registration, you will be provided with your username and password for the GS1 India datakart login.

 

Conclusion

DataKart continues to be the one-stop solution for retailers/etailers/business owners in India. It is committed to making your journey of product data management efficient, structured and reliable. Reach globally with GS1 datakart and share information with data aggregators and the GS1 global registry and authenticate information of products manufactured in other member organisations. Benefit from reduced PO mismatches and wrong dispatches and ensure product information is complete, accurate and on time with GS1 India DataKart.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is GS1 a government company?

GS1 India is a supply chain standards organisation set up by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, CII, ASSOCHAM, FIEO, IMC, APEDA, Spices Board, IIP and BIS.

2. How to login to the GS1 portal?

You can log in to the GS1 DataKart portal using your Global Company Prefix (GCP) provided to you along with your allotment letter.

3. How to register a GS1 account?

To register for GS1 Barcodes you can visit the ‘Register for Barcodes’ page of GS1 India, complete the registration form and pay the fees.

4. Can I generate my barcode?

Yes, you can generate your barcodes through GS1 India’s DataKart platform.

5. What kind of businesses can benefit from DataKart?

DataKart is beneficial for several B2B, B2G and B2C companies. It is a powerful product data management service for retailers, brand owners and e-commerce marketplaces.

6. Is DataKart secure for managing product data?

Yes, DataKart is secure for managing product data. It ensures data security through its SSL-secure server. Product data is made available only on a need basis and only to authorised people.

7. What support services are available for DataKart users?

DataKart users get coupon redemption services and on-time implementation support services.

8. Can I integrate DataKart with other business systems?

Yes, DataKart can be integrated with ERP systems, POS systems, and other software to improve and streamline processes.

Smart Choices, Simple Solutions: Understanding the Consumer World with Smart Consumer Platform

Posted on by Rahul Kumar

Businesses are increasingly seeking solutions to streamline operations and improve direct engagement with consumers. The Smart Consumer Web App, powered by GS1 India’s comprehensive product data repository, DataKart, is vital in achieving these objectives. This platform enables informed consumer decisions and enhances business-to-consumer relationships through advanced technological solutions.

 

Introducing the Smart Consumer App

The importance of making informed consumer decisions cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts consumer trust and business success. The Smart Consumer platform is designed to provide businesses with the tools necessary to engage consumers more effectively. On web and mobile interfaces, consumers can conveniently obtain precise, up-to-date, and comprehensive details about products, such as availability, discounts, coupons, reviews, and customer care information.

 

The Evolution of Consumer Behaviour

As digital platforms become increasingly integral to consumer habits, understanding this shift is vital for businesses. The influence of technology has dramatically altered consumer expectations, requiring companies to adopt more sophisticated digital engagement strategies. The Smart Consumer web app is positioned as a critical asset for businesses managing these changes, providing a comprehensive solution that includes both web and app-based interactions that align with contemporary consumer behaviors and preferences.

 

Challenges Faced by Modern Consumers

Consumers today are inundated with information, making it challenging to sift through data to make informed purchasing decisions. Furthermore, the credibility of sources can often be questionable, complicating the consumer’s decision-making process. The Smart Consumer platform addresses these challenges by consolidating trustworthy and relevant product information, thereby simplifying the consumer journey and supporting business efforts to present transparent and accurate data.

 

Introducing the Smart Consumer Platform

The platform includes several key features designed to enhance business-to-consumer interactions:

  • Product Comparison: Allows businesses to demonstrate product value clearly and effectively.
  • Price Tracking and Alerts: This enables businesses to notify consumers of price changes and deals in real time.
  • Reviews and Rating Aggregator: Provides consumers with reliable product assessments from multiple sources, enhancing credibility.

 

User-Friendly Interface

The platform’s interface is crafted for ease of use, ensuring that businesses can provide a seamless navigation experience to their customers, whether on the web or mobile. With features designed to adapt to user behaviors, the platform offers personalized recommendations that cater to individual consumer preferences, thus enhancing the overall user experience.

 

Benefits of Using the Smart Consumer Platform

Employing the Smart Consumer platform brings several advantages:

  • Efficiency and Time Savings: Reduces the time consumers spend researching products.
  • Enhanced Consumer Trust: Reliable information increases consumer confidence in both products and the company.
  • Real-Time Data Utilisation: Ensures that both businesses and consumers have access to the most current information.
  • Loyalty and Retention: Enhanced engagement tools contribute to higher consumer loyalty and repeat business.
  • Business Analytics: Track and analyze consumer interactions with products, providing valuable insights into consumer behavior and preferences.

     

    Roadmap for Platform Enhancements

    The roadmap for the Smart Consumer Platform’s enhancements focuses on integrating AI-driven predictive analytics to tailor consumer interactions more precisely. This advanced feature will utilize machine learning algorithms to anticipate consumer needs and preferences, enabling more targeted marketing and product recommendations. Additionally, the platform aims to extend its reach globally, breaking into new markets to maximize its utility and influence. These updates will significantly enhance the platform’s effectiveness and broaden its impact across various consumer bases.

    Feedback Mechanisms and Community Engagement

    Ongoing improvement is supported by active feedback mechanisms that encourage user input, ensuring that the platform continually evolves to meet changing consumer and business needs. Your input is crucial in shaping the future of the platform, and ensuring it meets your needs and expectations.

    Conclusion

    The Smart Consumer platform is more than just a digital tool; it is a strategic asset for businesses aiming to enhance consumer interactions and operational efficiency. By integrating this platform into your digital strategy, you can ensure that your business remains competitive in a consumer-centric market.

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. How can businesses download the Smart Consumer App?

    Businesses can download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

    2. Is the app available for both iOS and Android devices?

    Yes, the app is designed to operate across both iOS and Android platforms, including the web, ensuring wide accessibility.

    3. Does the platform provide real-time updates on price changes?

    Yes, the platform offers real-time updates, allowing businesses to keep consumers informed about the latest pricing and promotional offers.

    4. Can businesses set alerts for specific products or price thresholds?

    Absolutely. The platform allows businesses to customize alerts, which can be tailored to the specific interests of their consumer base.

    5. How does the platform ensure the reliability of reviews and ratings?

    The platform integrates reviews from verified sources and employs algorithms to ensure the authenticity and relevance of user feedback.

    6. Is personal information secure when using the Smart Consumer App?

    The platform adheres to stringent security protocols to protect all user data, ensuring privacy and data integrity.

    7. Can I sync my account across multiple devices?

    Yes, account synchronization across multiple devices is supported, allowing for a consistent user experience.

    8. Are there any fees or subscription costs associated with using the Smart Consumer App?

    The app is free to download, with no hidden fees, making it an economically viable option for businesses seeking to enhance their digital engagement strategies.

    GS1 India DataKart – One Platform, Multiple Use Cases

    Posted on by Rahul Kumar

    Efficient management of product data is essential for businesses to thrive. GS1 India DataKart emerges as a transformative solution, offering a single platform for multiple use cases, changing the way businesses manage and share product information. This blog will help you understand GS1 India DataKart better and explore its myriad benefits and functionalities.

    Understanding GS1 India DataKart

    What is GS1 India DataKart?

    GS1 India DataKart is a cloud-based online service provided by GS1 India, a standards organisation that develops and maintains global standards for business communication. It serves as a repository of information on retail products, offering details of each attribute such as ingredients, product images, Maximum Retail Price (MRP), net content, dimensions, and more. The platform aims to streamline product information management between various departments of brand owners and enable them to share accurate, trusted, and updated Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) data with retailers and e-tailers in a consistent, structured, and standardised manner in real-time.

    Importance of GS1 India DataKart

    In the context of supply chain management and consumer empowerment, GS1 India DataKart online plays an important role. It serves as a single source of reliable product data, addressing inconsistencies in product information management and simplifying barcoding. The platform, provides customer insights at your fingertips, and offers timely implementation support. By ensuring data accuracy and integrity, GS1 India DataKart enhances traceability and transparency in the supply chain, leading to improved on-shelf availability, fewer returns, and a consistent product experience across platforms.

    Uses of DataKart

    The GS1 India DataKart serves as a solid solution for businesses, offering a range of uses to enhance efficiency and streamline operations. One key feature is its ability to generate and assign Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), which are essential for product barcode numbers, simplifying product identification and tracking. It also enables the generation of barcode images and facilitates the management of product data, allowing businesses to share real-time product changes with multiple retailers and online stores. Moreover, DataKart helps reach out to new retailers and online stores, as well as shoppers, enhancing market reach. It provides timely implementation support and enables listing with kirana stores. Overall, GS1 India DataKart comes in as a versatile platform to manage product data efficiently and improve business processes.

    Features and Functionality of GS1 India DataKart

    Product Identification

    GS1 India DataKart enables accurate and standardised product identification through the generation and assignment of Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), which are unique product barcode numbers. By assigning GTINs to every product variant, businesses can ensure that each product is uniquely identified, reducing the risk of confusion and errors in product identification.

    Data Accuracy and Integrity 

    To maintain data accuracy and integrity, GS1 India DataKart implements strong quality control measures. These measures include validation checks and regular updates to ensure that the product information stored in the platform is up-to-date and accurate. This helps businesses avoid miscommunication in the marketplace and ensures that consumers receive reliable product information.

    Traceability and Transparency

    GS1 India DataKart facilitates traceability and transparency throughout the supply chain by maintaining a comprehensive database of product information. This database allows businesses to track the movement of products from manufacturing to the endconsumer, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and enhancing consumer trust.

    Advanced features of GS1 India DataKart:

    • Enhances visibility across supply chain
    • Ensures efficient production planning
    • Meets regulatory requirements, including FSSAI recall
    • Protects brand integrity by detecting counterfeiting
    • Enhances consumer trust through product authentication
    • Gives consumers the ability to report fakes
    • Matches physical inventory with system inventory
    • Enables recall/withdrawals to ensure consumer safety
    • Ensures better expiry management with First-Expiry, First-Out (FEFO) principles
    • Better inform customers about the raw materials used and their sourcing
    • Enables batch and product-level tracking
    • Reduces pilferages

    DataKart Benefits for Businesses

    GS1 India DataKart offers several benefits for businesses, including:

    • Enhanced efficiency in operations: By providing a centralised platform for managing product information, GS1 India DataKart helps businesses streamline their processes and reduce manual errors.
    • Improved data accuracy: With GS1 India DataKart, businesses can ensure that their product information is accurate and consistent across all platforms, reducing the risk of misinformation and confusion.
    • Streamlined processes: GS1 India DataKart simplifies the process of sharing product information with retailers and e-tailers, enabling businesses to reach new markets and expand their customer base.
    • Addressing regulatory compliance: GS1 India DataKart helps businesses comply with statutory labelling and marking guidelines, as well as license/certificate validation requirements, ensuring that their products meet regulatory standards.

    GS1 DataKart Login and Access

    Secure access to GS1 India DataKart is essential for businesses to protect their data and ensure the integrity of their product information. The login process is simple and user-friendly, with additional security features in place to safeguard against unauthorised access. Businesses can access their DataKart account by visiting the GS1 DataKart website and using the login details provided at the time of registration.

    Conclusion

    GS1 India DataKart is a versatile platform that offers multiple use cases for businesses looking to streamline their operations and enhance transparency in the supply chain. By providing a single source of reliable product data, GS1 India DataKart helps businesses improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance consumer trust. It is a valuable tool for any business looking to stay competitive in today's fast-paced retail environment.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. How does GS1 India DataKart contribute to food safety and traceability?

    GS1 India DataKart plays a crucial role in food safety and traceability by enabling accurate and standardised product identification. This helps in tracking the movement of food products from farm to fork, ensuring that they meet quality and safety standards.

    2. How does GS1 India DataKart ensure the accuracy of product information?

    GS1 India DataKart ensures the accuracy of product information through stringent quality control measures. This includes validation checks and regular updates to ensure that the information is up-to-date and accurate.

    3. Is GS1 India DataKart compatible with existing systems and technologies?

    Yes, GS1 India DataKart is compatible with existing systems and technologies businesses use. It can be easily integrated with ERP systems, POS systems, and other software to enhance data exchange and improve efficiency.

    Why is Reliable & Updated Product Data Critical for Omni-Channel Retail

    Posted on by Nitesh Agrawal

    At this year’s ‘Thanksgiving Day’ and ‘Black Friday’ in the U.S., on-line shopping overshot sales through retail stores, reversing the shopping trend of earlier years.

    With rapid proliferation of online shopping portals and expected expansion of modern retail trade market share from 10% to over 25% in the next few years, providing a seamless shopping experience to consumers becomes imperative.

    It needs to be kept in mind that today’s hyper-connected consumer researches thoroughly for a product, both off-line and on-line before deciding to buy.

    At the core of delivering a seamless, consistent experience across retail channels to the consumer is ready access to detailed information on retailed products which is accurate, complete, reliable and enables shoppers to make purchase decisions with ease.

    Retailers/etailers struggle to get this right most often, with several instances of incomplete information or wrong depiction of products resulting in loss of consumer confidence.

    Brand owners/suppliers too struggle with uploading their product information multiple times in proprietary buyer formats, resulting in frequent mismatches and gaps.  This is particularly true since retail products undergo frequent changes with new products that are being introduced and phasing out of earlier products.

    The need of the hour is therefore a platform which allows for seamless exchange and updation of information on products between trading partners in a uniform, structured and consistent manner, without requiring multiple data uploads.

    This will significantly reduce current dependence of etailers, in particular, to crowd-sourced data that is usually highly unreliable, inaccurate and even malicious, at times.

    GS1 India’s ‘DataKart’, created in response to Industry needs and with their active collaboration, fills this gap. This enables brand owners and retailers/etailers to exchange and update product information with accuracy, in real time, with no involvement of any third party.

    Operative since 2016, DataKart currently hosts information on over 7 million retailed products across all categories with rich attribute information related to product images, label information etc.

    Smart Consumer App is The New System for Redressal of Consumer Complaints: FSSAI & MoCA

    Posted on by Nitesh Agrawal

    FSSAI and Ministry of Consumer Affairs informed the Industry about the new system for redressal of consumer complaints through integration with the ‘Smart Consumer’ mobile app of Department of Consumer Affairs, during the National Conference on ‘Enabling Regulatory Compliance & Connecting with Consumers’.

    The conference was jointly organised by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, FSSAI, and GS1 India recently and attended by over 100 companies, including leading brand owners, retailers, and online shopping portals. Some of the participants include Reliance Retail, Big Bazaar, Amazon, Canteen Stores Department, Coca Cola, Paytm, Kellogg’s, Flipkart, Grofers, Walmart, Nestle, Dabur, Patanjali, J&J, HUL, Britannia, Mondelez, Kraft Heinz, ITC, Tata Global Beverages, Mother Dairy, amongst many others.

    Shri Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI, stated that with this integration, no consumer complaint would go unresolved and consumers would gain visibility to FSSAI license number certificates and product recall alerts.

    Shri P V Rama Sastry, JS, Department of Consumer Affairs explained how scanning of barcodes (which use GTIN – Global Trade Identification Numbers) on consumer products using the Smart Consumer app would enable consumers to read marking and labelling information with ease, which is otherwise difficult due to small print on product labels.

    Leading retailers and brand owners, including Nestle India, Reliance Retail, Canteen Stores Department, Big Bazaar and others shared their experiences of exchanging product data with trading partners using DataKart – a national repository of retailed product data that feeds in information to smart consumer mobile app. They also talked about how DataKart helps them in mitigating challenges in access to quality, up-to-date data on retailed products, including on new product introductions, product withdrawals, active/inactive SKUs, product changes, etc.

    Finally, GS1 India provided a detailed roadmap on how Indian Retail Industry could comply with Regulatory requirements and exchange product information amongst stakeholders through DataKart.

    Further, the regulators also informed Industry on various Legal Metrology requirements, product recall, and e-commerce guidelines for food business operators.

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