News

Wholesalers, Manufacturers, Solution Providers and representatives from supply chain trade associations joined us for a day of insights into emerging trends, networking opportunities, learning best practices and improving business processes.

The Forum was opened by Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO of the EDA, and Richard Baxter, Director of Systems and Procedures at Edmundson Electrical Ltd and the incoming chair of the EDA Data Services Board, the group behind the development of the EDATA data pool. Richard Appleton, the EDA’s Head of Digitalisation, gave an update on the progress of the data pool and the introduction of new  sustainability and packaging data.

Richard Baxter of Edmundson Electrical Ltd and the incoming chair of EDA Data Services, the group leading the development of the EDATA data pool, welcomed delegates saying:

“Digitalisation is a wide topic, and it is becoming increasingly relevant to businesses who want to make fundamental changes to how they operate, and how they deliver value to their customers. Several dynamics drive this transformation – for example, today we’re going to hear more about Artificial Intelligence, which when used effectively can help to enhance and rationalise businesses processes by automating repetitive tasks, providing insights to speed the analysis of large volumes of data, and therefore improving decision-making.

“Being a self-confessed “nerd” it is exciting for someone like me to be involved in technology initiatives. But we must not lose sight of the fact that adopting new technologies is not the real reason for embarking on a Digitalisation Journey. What’s most important are the tangible benefits which digitalisation delivers to businesses in the real world, such as: Data-Driven Decision Making, using accurate, up-to-date information to make informed decisions, and improve operations to drive business growth. Improved Efficiencies through automating tasks and streamlining processes, which can, in turn, lead to Cost Reductions.And having a Connected Workforce: Digital transformation can help fill skills gaps and upskill an existing workforce, so they are free to focus on higher-level, more productive tasks.”

Where to next?

Paul Reeve, EDA Special Adviser, chaired an insightful panel discussion on ‘Product data: where do we go next?’ with experts

• Iain Walker, Industry Engagement Director, GS1 UK;
• Martin Russell, Group Product Manager, Marshall- Tufflex Ltd; and
• Phil Thompson, Product Data Consultant, Information Management Squared Ltd.

Iain Walker summed up the day. ‘Businesses should not wait for the pace of change to slow down before starting to act on product data, because if anything the pace of change will speed up.’

Greater unity

Phil Thompson echoed this, and called for ‘greater unity, because product data is a baton that is passed along the supply chain’. He also called for a common approach saying that ‘information management doesn’t need to be competitive. Let’s get behind a unique identifier – such as GS1.’

Martin Russell called for those in leadership roles to get behind the drive for product data, and EDA solution providers Infor, Agathos, and B2BE shared how they have integrated their software with EDATA. Proplanet and their partners Squadra, demonstrated how powerfully PIM technology and AI can work together.