Current data sharing solutions are expensive and complicated - so much so, that typically only the "big box" stores can participate. It's time to move away from complexity and embrace a simple data sharing standard for retail.

How it Could Save (and Earn!) Cash

Eliminates most manual data entry. Think about it: Much of the information you input into your system is created at the top of the supply-chain by the manufacturer. Descriptions, images, suggested pricing, UPC, manufacturer part number - just to name a few. If you buy direct, they even have your cost. A simple sharing standard would open this up to be used by distributors and retailers alike. Why should you enter data again if somebody has already done it for you?

Up-to-date information. Have you ever lost money because a supplier forgot to send you information about a cost increase? Mistakes happen, and some are more expensive than others. Maintaining pricing information in particular can be a tedious and difficult task. In my dream world of simple data sharing, my POS system will automatically get updated costs every night. When I get there in the morning, I will be presented with cost movements so that I can intelligently determine if I need to adjust my selling price. I know, it sounds like Minority Report style retail technology; but, this type of functionality would be commonplace if a standard were in place.

Your systems could talk to each other! Even the smallest operations will have multiple systems nowadays. It's not uncommon for a "mom and pop" to have a POS system, accounting software, and a website. Guess what? They *all* need some of the same data. As a standard gets adopted, software developers could build import / export functionality into everything they do. Wouldn't it be nice if inputting your data once caused it to cascade automatically to all of your systems?

Customers would love it! "What? Most customers couldn't care less about what my data looks like or how it gets there". That is, unless part of the standard enabled you to share live inventory information. Mobile, location-based services are huge right now. A customer could literally take their Christmas shopping list and find every store near them that has what they are looking for. What's more, since it is an open standard, developers could make all sorts of applications to utilize your data.

What it Should Look Like

Public property - no gatekeepers. No private organization should claim ownership of the standard. An organization could be created to administer the standard, but adopters shouldn't even have to be aware of this organization to start implementing it. Think HTML and websites. Did you have to call the W3C to start developing your website? Did you even know that they existed?

Simple. Yep, simple. Now, the term "simple" is relative. But standards like EDI and GS1 are way over the top. They try to provide rules for every possible scenario resulting in thick rulebooks and incomprehensible jargon. Here's an idea: Instead of trying to think of every possible scenario, make the standard flexible. Let participants find creative ways to solve problems and they will. Just look at how far the web has come!

Free. Access to the standard should be free (looking at you, ARTS). Adoption of the standard should not require an admission fee or annual dues. The only cost should be the cost of implementation. Again, like building a website.

Privacy and Access Controls. One difference between web sites and a retail standard is the need for privacy. Some information should not be available for public consumption (i.e. your cost). Participants must be able to determine who has access to what information.