Jonatan Tullberg, CEO of GS1 Sweden, reflects on his first six months at the company. And look forward to this autumn when two important focus is data quality and data management.
Jonatan Tullberg, CEO of GS1 SwedenAfter six months on the new job, I make almost daily discoveries about how standards transform how we work and live.
Last week I got the first vaccine shot against COVID-19. I was impressed by the efficiency. In just seven minutes, I was done. Afterwards, when sat down to rest, I took the opportunity to reflect on how many important parts that contribute to a well-organized vaccination campaign.
Almost 40 million doses of vaccine are administered worldwide every day and nearly 3 billion vaccines have been managed until this date. Each product has a globally unique GS1 ID number and barcode. This creates the conditions to quickly locate and track products right down to the batch level – both forwards and backwards in the chain.
I am proud that GS1 contributes to streamlining and increasing safety – both for us as patients and for companies in the global supply chain.
Highlights from spring 2021
During the spring, GS1 Sweden continued to work to improve data quality and streamline data management in our services. We have partnered with several different industries to start using GS1 standards and services for identification, capturing and sharing.
Updated Quality Assurance Service in ValidooUpdated data quality service
In April, we launched an updated quality assurance service in Validoo. The aim was to make it easier and faster to succeed with higher product data quality in the product launch process. As a user, you can now work more with digital data, resulting in less administration and reduced costs related to environmentally friendly transport of physical samples.
From barcode to 2D code
During the spring, the Swedish initiative 2D barcodes in the grocery industry conducted preliminary studies at various companies to explore the shift from 1D barcodes to 2D codes. The initiative is part of a global effort that will revolutionise trade. Just like today’s barcode did 50 years ago.
Construction industry ready for GTIN
The construction industry in Sweden is now ready for implementation of Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) for all construction products. During the spring, the industry decided on adapted GTIN rules for the Swedish market and the next step is for the proposal to be adopted in GS1’s global standards.
An autumn in the new normal
Data is todays most important raw material and is sometimes mentioned as “the new oil”. During the autumn, we will continue to focus on product development for global data quality and data management. This means new opportunities for you as a user to create even more business value.
GS1 Sweden currently has nearly 14,000 customers and we understand that you, just like us, have been affected by the pandemic. I think we have all been forced to digitalise and adapt to different extents. Now we look forward to a brighter autumn and a return to the “new normal”.
You as a user will have the opportunity to meet us both physically and digitally this autumn. For example, we have several exciting courses and seminars in our autumn calendar. In near time a webinar about our new standard GS1 Digital Link that provides the opportunity to connect the consumer with product data via mobile scanning.
Me and the team at GS1 Sweden wish you a lovely summer. We look forward to welcoming you after the summer holidays!