The annual GS1 Global Forum with theme “Driving momentum together” was held in Brussels. More than 535 representatives of 90 national GS1 organizations, including GS1 Bulgaria discussed for three days (13-15 February) the organization’s strategy and exchanged ideas and information on innovation and best practices.
At the forum opening Miguel Lopera, President of GS1 presented the organization’s vision for the following years. He underlined the key word “Growth” in all main directions – trade, transport and logistics, healthcare, GDSN, etc. The focus of this year’s meeting is placed on the digital world which, even though won’t replace the traditional market, has and will continue to have increasing importance.
GS1 Bulgaria participated with a 5-member delegation in the forum: Tsvetan Simeonov, BCCI President and Chairman of the GS1 Bulgaria Board; Peter Velev and Nadezhda Pancheva – members of the GS1 Bulgaria Board; Hristo Sodev, Executive Secretary of GS1 Bulgaria and Lubomir Gaidarov – GS1 Bulgaria expert.
The forum’s programme mirrors the key priorities of GS1:
- Standard implementation – development of valuable projects, positive practices, marketing analysis of the major processes in key sectors of industry;
- Multi-sectoral approach – providing first class services in main sectors of industry (trade, healthcare, transport and logistics); deploying the GS1 standards across new strategic sectors;
- Sustainable business model;
- Promoting the GS1 vision, strategy and standards;
- Securing an integrated portfolio of products and solutions;
- Strengthening strategic ties;
- Keeping an open productive dialogue with the legislative and executive powers, the media and other key institutions;
- GS1 to be an internally dependant federation – a community with one vision, one voice and united in its actions.
GS1 Bulgaria works actively in these important directions. It provides consultations and organizes discussions with the store chains and their suppliers, and issues specialized brochures about the various GS1 applications.
The discussions in Brussels concentrated on GS1-health applications and the possibility for GS1 standards to unify the approaches in this field.
The electronic commerce and electronic invoicing, mobile commerce, application of radio frequency technology (RFID) and other advanced practices presented by the national organizations were given special attention during the GS1 Global Forum plenary sessions in Brussels.
GS1 initiatives, solutions and standards are the foundation of the business network EcomGrid- the first online network for business contacts and e-trade in Bulgaria, set up with the participation of BCCI. It considerably helps to improve and facilitate the relations between suppliers and customers, regardless of the size and scope of the company. GS1 standards are applied to the data for the products and the services in EcomGrid with a view to effect common standardization throughout the chain of demand and supply.
In December 2012, GS1 Bulgaria will host a regular meeting of the Regional Board of GS1 in Europe when executives of the national organizations in Europe will attend. During the Sofia meeting participants will identify the next steps to achieve harmonization in the implementation of the GS1 standards in Europe in order to meet the needs of companies from different sectors and to increase the effectiveness through the chains of demand and supply.
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GS1 is a leading global organization dedicated to the design and implementation of global standards and solutions for accurate identification and communication of information regarding products, assets, services and locations in supply and demand chains globally and across sectors. The GS1 standards are used in all sectors of industry and facilitate trade by combining the use of unique identification numbers with data carriers and the process of e-trade.
GS1 is an international not-for-profit association, the neutral leader enabling communities to develop and implement global standards providing the tools, trust and confidence needed by its partners – large multinational companies and SMEs worldwide. GS1 is a platform for cooperation between the business partners.