Global Data Synchronization - Current Status and Future Trends

Retail and consumer goods industries are considered one of the most advanced value chains with regard to electronic collaboration. Recent studies have underlined the importance of master data alignment between retailers and their suppliers in the implementation of Efficient Consumer Response (ECR). This study explores the multilateral exchange of master data in the retail supply chain using the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN). Based on interviews with ten data pool providers, it analyzes the current state of multilateral master data exchange as well GDSN implementation. Issues under examination include the current customer base, the service portfolios offered, and revenue models of the participating data pools. The characteristics of the sample suggest that the current GDSN landscape leads to an increasing specialization of service providers in either Mega-Pools or Local Specialists. The study characterizes these emerging types of data pools and discusses some implications on the future development of strategies for data pool providers as well as the preference of users.