Global data synchronization is a cross-industry initiative, supported by common standards and infrastructure, for sharing information about products, packaging, pricing, promotion, and other collaboration content exchanged by buyers and sellers.
The shared infrastructure for this initiative is provided by the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN), which consists of a central registry and a collection of Internet-resident “data pools.” The GDSN connects buyers and sellers to each other, synchronizes trade-related data across geographies, and centrally maintains current definitions of trade items, pricing, locations, and synchronization status.
Trading partners synchronize with each other by connecting to a “local” (usually country-specific) data pool as shared data changes. And, when a supplier or distributor trades a large number of items, particularly those that are subject to frequent changes in style, packaging, or pricing, manual synchronization of product master data in the data pool is unrealistic.
EXTOL Data Synchronizer is an integration framework that enables supply-side companies and intermediaries to automate data synchronization with demand-side partners, by integrating directly with applications and data. EDS users can create custom integrations rapidly, using the design automation features of EXTOL Business Integrator and EXTOL Integration Studio. By automating synchronization with EXTOL Data Synchronizer, trading partners improve order accuracy, reduce fulfillment errors, returns and stock-outs, and accelerate time-to-market.
On the surface, global data synchronization appears to be a familiar problem – after all, businesses have been exchanging EDI and other data with trading partners for many years. But a closer examination reveals unique requirements that go beyond simple data exchange, including coordinating external data pool synchronization with internal application processes, verifying the correctness and completeness of synchronized data, enforcing the correct workflow based on the status of each item as well as matching outbound messages with data pool responses to support auditing, and staying current with changing global data synchronization standards.
Few global data synchronization solutions address all of these requirements, and navigating the maze of options can be daunting. However, EXTOL Data Synchronizer allows users to get more from their global data synchronization investment to streamline business integration and accelerate value chain transactions.
EXTOL Data Synchronizer is a supply-side global data synchronization solution, designed for Suppliers and Distributors who need to synchronize large volumes of trade item data, through the 1SYNC™ data pool. EDS extends the web-based 1SYNC™ Item Management (IM) application, by integrating your applications and data with the 1SYNC data pool and Global Data Synchronization Network and automating the data synchronization process.
With EXTOL Data Synchronizer, You Can:
- Extend the value of 1SYNC™ Item Management by integrating applications and data with 1SYNC messaging.
- Migrate from third-party data sync solutions quickly and automatically, by downloading current item data.
- Integrate internal product life cycle processes with data synchronization processes.
- Integrate applications and data without coding, using the EXTOL Integration Studio graphical environment.
- Track and audit your data synchronization activities and results, through the EDS Dashboard.
- Control costs predictably, with lower TCO than hosted solutions and no hidden charges or fees.
- Maintain current with automated upgrades to the latest 1SYNC data pool releases and GDSN standards.
Product Highlights
ITEM DATA UPLOAD:
- Code-free transformation of application data to common XML format
- 1SYNC item creation and modification (Append) message validation and generation from common XML format
- Pass-through or user-initiated data upload operation
- Automatic reconciliation of 1SYNC response messages in local status database
- AS2 secure background communication with 1SYNC data pool
ITEM DATA DOWNLOAD:
- Support for 1SYNC Item Management (IM) Quick Connect item data export format
- Automated transformation of downloaded data to common XML format
- Code-free transformation of downloaded item data to spreadsheets, flat files, databases, or other XML representations
- Automatic registration of downloaded items in local status database for easy migration from third party solutions
INTERNAL DATA SOURCE INTEGRATION:
- Graphical, modeling environment for rapid specification of back-end integration processes, without programming
- Support for integration of databases, complex flat files, spreadsheets, XML, and other source data
- Event-driven, scheduled, or externally invoked (users or applications) activation of integration processes
- Portable, reusable integration deliverables minimize change impact and enable rapid integration changes
MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT:
- Browser-based monitoring and management, with JSR 168-compliant dashboard server included
- Dashboard application for configuring, initiating, monitoring, managing, and reporting on data synchronization activities
- Drill-down diagnosis and analysis of synchronization errors and informational flags
- View item status details by target market
- View item messaging history, including date/time stamps, payloads, response messages, and more
SUMMARY OF CUSTOMER BENEFITS:
- Complements and exploits 1SYNC IM application to ensure currency with 1SYNC releases and GDSN standards
- Extends 1SYNC IM advantages to suppliers with large numbers of items and item volatility
- Provides a growth path from entry-level data synchronization offerings, by automating registration of existing items, via the download function
- Eliminates data transposition errors and latency for bulk data uploads, by integrating with back-end data and applications
- Makes integration with back-end systems practical for organizations with resource and skills limitations
STANDARD PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- EXTOL Data Synchronizer – dashboard, database, and messaging system
- EXTOL Secure Exchange – AS2 communications server
- EXTOL Business Extender –Application and data integration services
- EXTOL Integration Studio – Graphical toolset for creating integration processes without coding
PLATFORMS SUPPORTED:
- Windows
- * See Policy on Operating System Support for Java-Based Products for more details.
MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS:
- Processor: Intel P4 or higher
- RAM: Minimum 2 GB
- Disk space: 300 MB excluding user data
