The increasing requirements in environmental and sustainability fields further emphasize the necessity for product traceability across the entire value chain. NorDan recognized early on that digitalization is the sole path to fulfilling sustainability demands from both consumers and the EU.
NorDan is a manufacturer of windows and doors with a strong presence in the Nordic market. For almost 100 years, the company has been at the forefront of innovation and creativity to provide its customers with the best quality.
For NorDan, digitalization is a crucial factor in their efforts to achieve sustainability. They quickly realized the benefits that could be achieved by establishing a structured approach to managing their data.
What NorDan initially did was to elevate the subject to a strategic level and then gather necessary knowledge, such as familiarizing themselves with relevant standards and actively participating in various development projects and initiatives. The standard they chose to start with was a globally unique identification number – the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) .
A prerequisite for digitizing their information flows is that all basic data and documentation are structured. Once in place, meaningful utilization of identifiers such as GTIN is enabled, provided they are properly managed and linked to relevant information.
– Digitalization makes it easier to manage GTIN. It’s always challenging when you start working on establishing structure and digitalization, but once you’ve achieved it, everything becomes much smoother. For example, we no longer need to spend time wondering if we have the data that’s being requested and where it might be located, if at all. Instead, we can invest that time in expanding functionality and creating more customer value, says Fredrik Tveter, Team Leader product information and digitalization at NorDan.
NorDan strongly believes that digitalization should simplify business operations rather than make them more burdensome. When information flow isn’t uniform, existing information can’t be utilized in a versatile manner, leading to inefficiency. A digitalization process is required, and for databases to communicate with each other, a standardized system is needed.
Fredrik Tveter
Teamleader Product information & Digitalization, NorDanGTIN – the first step
For the construction industry to reduce its carbon footprint, uniform standards and a common agreement on what information to use and how are needed. In 2018, a collective decision was made within the construction sector, determining that all manufacturers and suppliers should use GTIN as the common identifier for all construction products.
– We chose to lead the way with GTIN for products where the majority are customized for each project. We have demonstrated that it is possible to create solutions of value throughout the entire lifecycle of the product, using relatively simple means. And it’s perfectly okay to take a few steps at a time; everything doesn’t need to be in place all at once, says Fredrik Tveter. The important thing is that the entire industry moves forward together; that’s when we can all benefit from the advantages of a common business language, Fredrik Tveter emphasizes.
Identifying windows and doors at product level is a significant challenge for NorDan. This is due to the large number of configuration options each base product has, ranging from millimeter precision in height and width to various glass options, interior and exterior colors, as well as additional features. This means there are millions of options for a product that had the same starting point.
– For the window product category, which isn’t ‘off-the-shelf’ but rather customized for each project, the GTIN becomes an ID generated when the specific configuration is ordered. From there, the GTIN can continue to exist and serve as the product’s unique identifier throughout the remainder of its lifecycle. What kind of information you tie to the GTIN determines how useful it will be, says Fredrik Tveter.
Development foundation for digital product passports
Currently, GTINs for NorDan products are generated during the order confirmation stage and are indicated in the order documents. As a next step, NorDan has chosen to add QR codes to product labeling and ensured that the QR codes follow the format of GS1 Digital Link – a special type of web link that identifies a product while also serving as an entry point to digital information about the product.
– In the development of how the product information linked to the GTIN would be made accessible, we took advantage of the fact that a format for the QR code’s URL was already documented by GS1. It’s also advantageous for us that the organization behind the format is knowledgeable in upcoming EU requirements regarding digital product passports, as it is likely to streamline future development, says Fredrik Tveter.
Currently, when the QR code is scanned, it leads to the specific GTIN’s product page on NorDan’s platform called NPlace. In addition to being an early version and development foundation for digital product passports, the page currently serves as a way for everyone in the product’s lifecycle to easily access information about the product or documentation linked to it.
Traceability contributes to sustainability
By utilizing GS1 standards, which are internationally established for identifying and tracing products, the entire industry can harmonize its methods and establish structured systems based on a common usage of necessary identifiers. These constitute important keys to achieving robust traceability, which in turn is essential for genuinely reducing negative environmental impact, rational resource utilization, and responsible operations.
Exciting opportunities ahead
NorDan has taken many steps in the right direction, and the further development of their solutions continues continuously. The functionality surrounding GS1 Digital Link, where a single QR code can be used for various purposes, is an area that NorDan has only just begun to explore, and there are many exciting possibilities. Another important focus area for NorDan is to be able to use standardized properties and data templates to streamline digital information flows. So that, for example, the entire order’s or project’s product information can be communicated simultaneously, digitally between systems, and linked to BIM processes and digital twins.