ABI EC News	December 2007
Promoting e-commerce in the Alcohol Beverage Industry for over 15 years
Council News
NEW VIDEO: ABI AND DATA SYNCHRONIZATION There’s a new and exciting way to exchange key product information in the alcohol beverage industry today – and ABI EC recently released a video that tells all about it. Building a Better Supply Chain: Data Synchronization for the Alcohol Beverage Industry is a short video that explains the benefits of data synchronization for the alcohol beverage industry. The video features testimonials from Brown-Forman, Charmer Sunbelt, Constellation Wines, Glazer’s Wholesale Distributors, and Southern Wine & Spirits. Find out why these industry leaders recommend implementing this new process now. Data synchronization is moving forward rapidly in the alcohol beverage industry – watch the video and learn more today.
Order your free DVD that includes the video, along with additional resources that can help you implement data synchronization.
What's Hot Data Synchronization Industry Pilots Wine & Spirits The National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) data synchronization pilot is gaining momentum. The initial pilot findings have shown the benefits to be gained for distributors and control states and an expansion of the pilot is anticipated in 2008. In support of this pilot, GS1 US™ and 1SYNC™ shared presentations in support of the industry’s outreach and education initiatives with attendees at the recent NABCA Administrator’s Conference Beer Industry National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and 1SYNC are sponsoring a new data synchronization pilot for the Beer Industry. Participants include AAFES, Anheuser-Busch, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Miller Brewing Company, SUPERVALU, and leading distributors and technology providers. Weekly conference calls have started and the team is working to finalize the scope of the project and to determine test scenarios.   Visit the ABI EC website for updates on these pilot programs in 2008. Look at what the industry is saying! The new data synchronization video from ABI EC has been shared with industry associations, retailers, suppliers, distributors, states, and solution providers. Among those who have received the video include representatives from DISCUS, NABCA, NBWA, WSWA, the Wine Institute, CVS, Food Lion, Safeway, Wegmans, and the GCI DSD committee. We’ve also received requests from South Africa, Denmark, Taiwan, and other countries. We’re excited about the feedback we’ve received: }”We really found the video useful; it explained data synchronization in easy to understand terms …. We plan to use it with our suppliers and internally.”  }“Hearing why data synchronization is important  from leading industry organizations was very beneficial; knowing they are supporting it helps our business case.” }“The video approach is great; our people can listen and learn about data synchronization on their schedule and either at the office, in a hotel or at home. It’s convenient and filled with information.”
ABI EC is also working with Beverage World magazine to promote the video to over 1,800 key industry contacts.
Watch List Faster Clearance of Alcohol Beverage Products in the International Supply Chain The World Customs Organization (WCO) has completed a successful pilot project with GS1 and industry partners for the wine and spirits supply chain between Australia and the UK. The pilot proved that the Serial Shipping Container Code or SSCC, which is a GS1 identification number, can be used as a Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) to provide supply chain information to Customs Administrations. This could lead to faster clearance of alcohol beverage products, along with significant savings. Diageo and Constellation were among the companies that participated in the pilot. Watch for news in 2008 about a similar pilot involving the importing and exporting of alcohol beverage products between the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries.   Go to the ABI EC website Watch List to read more about the pilot.     ABI EC Executive Committee Keeping Up-to-Date on EPC / RFID The ABI EC Executive Committee recently visited Met Labs for a demonstration of the latest Electronic Product Code™ (EPC) / Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies in action. Met Labs demonstrated the use of EPC tags on cases of liquids, such as alcohol beverage products, and other logistics units. This new technology can provide true visibility of item information in the supply chain including the location, history, and number of items. The use of EPC / RFID will enable organizations to be more responsive to customers and consumer needs through more efficient, customer-driven operations; it will also ensure the pedigree of the product. Check the Watch List area of the ABI EC website for more on EPC / RFID.   Learn more about Met Labs
Education & Events
Save the Date! ABI EC 2008 Conference June 9th – 12th, 2008 Gaylord Texan Resort, Dallas TX Held in conjunction with the GS1 US U Connect Conference® }Learn more about U Connect    }View 2007 ABI EC Conference Wrap Up
New! Get Updated Information Automatically The ABI EC Library provides quick access to documents on data synchronization, product identification, e-commerce, and more. Subscribe today to receive automatic notification of new documents added in your areas of interest.
Join ABI EC Join the ABI EC Council today. Work with us to further the use of e-commerce to improve the alcohol beverage industry’s supply chain. Whether the idea of e-commerce in our industry is new to you or you are already using it in your operations, we look forward to welcoming you!
Subscribe to ABI EC News If you received this issue direct from ABI EC News you are already subscribed. If you received this from a colleague and would like to subscribe to future issues of our free e-newsletter, click here.
ABI EC wishes you the happiest of holidays and a successful 2008!