1eCAT CC3P CLASSIFICATION AND CATALOGUE SYSTEMS FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROCUREMENT

Workshop

Companies need to align product master data in order to conduct eBusiness. Moreover, this is a prerequisite for all good data exchanges since transactions are based on aligned, good quality information that leads to a common understanding of what the products are. In other words, master data explains how products are identified and described and lists their properties.

Among such master data is the product classification code. This code provides information on the type of product e.g. the code indicates that the product is a desk, a coffee pot, etc. The functionalities and the processes that involve this code are multiple.

There are many product classification systems available, four of which have been selected for analysis. The scope of the CC3P project is to compare those four classification systems in order to provide recommendations on two main issues:

1 how to improve the CPV, the classification system that is used for public procurement in the European Union;1 provide solutions to enable the interoperability of those four systems.

HELPING SMEs EMPOWER THEIR eBUSINESS

Although all four classifications listed above have hierarchies, only the UNSPSC has a full hierarchical approach. In those hierarchies, the first level is called ‘domain’. Underneath the domain level, codes are developed following a tree structure.

The CC3P project conducted a series of analyses and comparisons to gain a deeper knowledge of the four classification systems. The project first tried to determine which classification was the richest in terms of domains and tried to identify what was missing in the other classifications.Another topic that the project addresses is the interoperability of the four classification systems. The project intended to define how the different, independent systems dialogue, or in other words: ‘When a company has chosen one system, does it have to add other systems when requested by trading partners or is it possible to keep only one set of codes?

One of the solutions that has been studied is the use of mapping tools. They are pieces of software that work like eBusiness converters: one code is input, a corresponding code is retrieved from mapping tables and the output code is made available for subsequent use, internal processing or eBusiness exchange.

The CC3P project studied four product classifications systems:

1 CPV (Common Procurement Vocabulary) is the mandatory classification system for procurement in the European Union. It consists of two “vocabularies”, two series of codes that are to be used in the tendering process.

1 eCl@ss is a user-driven classification system that has its origin in the chemistry sector and that is used mainly in Germany. The most developed product sectors are chemicals, machinery, manufacturing, laboratory and medical equipment.

1 GPC is another user-driven classification system, developed by GS1. GPC is mandatory in the GS1 e-catalogue network (GDSN). Most of the usage is in the food, beverage and tobacco industries.

1 UNSPSC has also been developed by its user community in the United States. It covers many product sectors; but especially the number of codes in the food, beverage and tobacco classification is very large.

HELPING SMEs EMPOWER THEIR eBUSINESS

The other major contribution from the CC3P project consists of a series of recommendations on the future development of CPV. Those recommendations address different areas, from the maintenance process to the naming schema.

The CWA also includes business-oriented chapters that detail how companies can benefit from product classification systems and how the classification codes can be implemented by companies. Moreover it includes the market situation for mapping tools. The CWA is available on the CEN site and is directly accessible via the following link www.cen.eu/go/ecat. The CEN Focus Group eSMEs developed tutorials on product classifications. They are a good source to develop your knowledge on these applications. The Report is available on the CEN site at www.cen.eu/go/FGeSMEs.

This simple process becomes much more complicated when applied to four classification systems that are developed and maintained by different bodies, under different rules and to fulfil different needs. For example, eCl@ss and GPC have developed a data model based on the use of attributes, a way to enhance the description of products without increasing the number of classification codes to too great extents. This structure is very different from the other classification system hierarchies thus creating some difficulties in the mapping.

Setting a mapping tool also raises some questions about conditions of use since the four classification systems are governed by different financial terms of use.

Another path that has been explored by the CC3P project is the harmonisation of the product classifications. How can all attributes from eCl@ss and GPC be put in common with CPV? How can the classification systems be developed in a synchronised way to make sure that harmonisation is maintained? How do ISO standards support this new organisation?

1

ABOUT CEN The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is a business facilitator in Europe, removing barriers to trade for European industry and consumers. Its mission is to foster the European economy in global trading, the welfare of European citizens and the environment. Through its services, CEN provides a platform for the development of European Standards and other technical specifications.

CEN’s 31 National Members work together to develop voluntary European Standards (ENs). Those standards have a unique status since they are also national standards in each of the 31 member countries. With one common standard in all of those countries, and every conflicting national standard withdrawn, a product can reach a far wider market with much lower development and testing costs. CEN helps to build a European Internal Market for goods and services and to position Europe in the global economy. More than 60.000 technical experts, as well as business federations, consumer and other societal interest organizations, are involved in the CEN network, which reaches over 480 million people.

For further information please visit: www.cen.eu

CC3P EXPERTSAurélie Virgili, consultant (Belgium) 1 Zoltan Patkai, consultant (Belgium) 1 Felix Hettig, eCl@ss (Germany) 1 Helmut Beckmann Steinbeis Enterprise Electronic Business and Heilbronn University (Germany) 1 Ayhan Bulut, IFCC (Germany) 1 Christian Galinski, Infoterm (Austria) 1 Tony Hittema, AFNOR (France).

The work is supported by the European Commission, the Directorate General Enterprise and Industry, and the European Free Trade Association.

CEN-CENELEC Management CentreAvenue Marnix 17 – B-1000 Brussels – Tel: + 32 2 550 08 11 – Fax: + 32 2 550 08 19 – infodesk@cen.eu – www.cen.eu