EANCOM standard history, developement and up-to-date position
EANCOM Standard was a project of the General EAN Assembly. Association EAN International and its members have been involved in EDI process since 1972. Taking into account quick development of communications and technologies in EDI industry, The General EAN Assembly decided to release a special project for global data interchange – EANCOM Standard.
It was subjected to be developed on the basis of the existing international standard UN/EDIFACT.
EANCOM means a detailed manual regarding the usage of standard messages UN/EDIFACT. Many messages of this standard are too complicated, so users can be confused in trying to understand the original meaning of the messages received. The EANCOM Standard manual provides direct explanation of the messages order and makes it possible for partners to exchange electronic documents in a simple and clear form.
EDI process demands accurate goods and service identification as well as identification of the companies taking part in data exchange process. That is why data encrypting plays a great role for automatic information processing. In EANCOM messages each type of goods has its unique standard number EAN. Each party has its unique EAN number (Location Number) as well.
EAN standards give the following advantages:
- Using standard EAN numbers. Identification EAN numbers are unique and international as well. Their usage makes it possible for trading partners not to apply complicated encrypted tables. Instead of using personal internal goods IDs all partners use the same established international code.
- Standard EANCOM messages are simple and comprehensive. One-meaning coding of goods, companies and geographical locations simplifies electronic messaging, reduces costs for their transmitting and processing procedures.
- EANCOM is a multi-industry standard. Any EAN number is unique but does not have information in it – only uniqueness is provided. This makes possible to identify objects in different industries and therefore widens EANCOM borders.
- EANCOM is an international standard. It is used worldwide in more than eighty countries providing support in national languages.
- Support and maintenance. EAN International together with national organizations for goods identification support and constantly work on EANCOM Standard developing. Developing teams for different industries work on analyzing specific trade needs and finding solutions for the urgent practical tasks.
EANCOM development
EANCOM International has organized the international committee for EDI sphere – the Communication Systems Committee (CSC) – the main purpose of which is to control projecting and maintenance of the EANCOM standard according to requests received from national organizations and special development groups. EAN International works in close cooperation with national and worldwide user groups from various industries – chemistry, electronics, healthcare, publishing houses, engineering, retail etc. New standard versions are upgraded each two years while sticking to strict rules of the existing basic standard UN/EDIFACT.