How GDSN Works

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The GS1 Global Data Synchronisation Network connects trading partners to the GS1 Global Registry® via a network of interoperable GDSN-certified data pools

Within this Network, trade items are identified using a unique combination of the GS1 Identification Keys called Global Trade Item Numbers (GTIN) and Global Location Numbers (GLN)

There are five simple steps that allow trading partners to synchronise item, location and price data with each other:

1. Load Data: The seller registers product and company information in its data pool.
2. Register Data: A small subset of this data is sent to the GS1 Global Registry.
3. Request Subscription: The buyer, through its own data pool, subscribes to receive a seller's information.
4. Publish Data: The seller’s data pool publishes the requested information to the buyer’s data pool.
5. Confirm & Inform: The buyer sends a confirmation to the seller via each company's data pool, which informs the supplier of the action taken by the retailer using the information.

The GS1 Global Registry is the GDSN's "information directory" that details who has subscribed to trade item or party data, guarantees the uniqueness of the registered items and parties, and ensures that all data pools in the network are complying with a standards-based set of validation rules.

GS1-Certified Data Pools are electronic catalogues of standardised item data. They serve as a source and/or a recipient of master data. Data pools can be run by a GS1 Member Organisation or by a solution provider. Download the latest list of all GDSN-certified data pools.