Industry-backed providers in interoperability project to enable end-to-end item synchronization for their customers
Alexandria, VA — May 27, 2004 — The WorldWide Retail Exchange (WWRE) and Transora have linked their global data synchronization (GDS) solutions in an interoperability project designed to enable end-to-end item synchronization for their customers.
The WWRE is an Internet-based B2B exchange for retailers and suppliers. Designed to facilitate and simplify trading between manufacturers, retailers and suppliers, the WWRER includes members with combined sales of more than $900 billion.
Transora is a standards-based, e-commerce software and services company specializing in data synchronization and collaborative commerce technologies intended to facilitate trade efficiencies, reduce the cost of commerce and streamline trading relationships between manufacturers and retailers.
"The WWRE's priority has always been to connect our members with their trading partners," said Sally Herbert, chief commercial officer at the WWRE. "With the WWRE/Transora interoperability project, we provide retailers with access to product data from many of the world's largest global manufacturers and demonstrate that standards can be fully implemented today."
Throughout May, the customers involved in this project have been testing the interoperable connection between Transora and the WWRE. The first wave of 12 implementations including 12 manufacturers and nine retailers spanned six markets, including Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States.
At present, the interoperability solution is available for use with any current Transora or WWRE users in any of these markets. The WWRE and Transora said they are on track to have interoperable data synchronization generally available in June 2004.
"Transora and the WWRE are committed to developing a standards-based data synchronization solution, consistent with the Global Commerce Initiative vision and GSMP standards," said Ken Fleming, president and chief operating officer of Transora. "With this solution now in place, WWRE and Transora customers can synchronize on a common set of data through their chosen synchronization solution provider."
The WWRE and Transora have been working on the evolution of Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN)-certified data pools. The two organizations said they are the first to formally engage in a pilot program with the GDSN Task Group to validate the upcoming registry solution. Both organizations said they are committed to the GCI vision, including the GDSN registry, and will update their respective solutions and the interoperability program to stay consistent with changing business requirements and evolving industry standards.
