Spotlight on the Supply Chain
In Gene Schwartz’s column, which is a continuation of his column from the May issue, the distribution and fulfillment links in the supply chain take center stage. Gene does a tremendous job of presenting a bird’s-eye perspective of the whole market, yet with fine detail.
One organization that is essential to any discussion on supply chain management issues is the Book Industry Study Group (BISG). In addition to its other efforts to automate the supply chain, this organization has adopted a policy that aims to eliminate dual identifiers (EAN and UPC barcodes) on books and related products. It also is planning to launch a certification program “to encourage and acknowledge good practice in product information,” says Michael Healy, BISG’s executive director. BISG has established best practice guidelines that will drive this program, stipulating “what data elements should be exchanged between partners and how those elements should be communicated in a standard XML message,” Healy says, noting contributor and publication dates as examples of these data elements.
- Companies:
- The Book Industry Study Group