GDS Overview and Technical Guide for PI

[Former Member]

GDS?

• Global Data Synchronization (GDS) is a term used to describe an industry initiative focused on keeping item information in sync between retailers and their suppliers.
• GDS is a standardized process for the exchange of product data in the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN),built around the GS1 Global Registry and certified data pools.
• GS1 Standard Board developed the Global Data Synchronization (GDS) process.
• The solution integrates with downstream systems to help suppliers aggregate and validate GDS specific data and send this data through the appropriate format and process to their data pool.
• For retailers, the solution enables a company to publish/subscribe to information, integrates downstream current, new product introduction or maintenance processes.
• The following industries are actively participating in GDS:
  •   Grocery
  •   Food and Beverage
  •   Health and Beauty
  •   Electronics
  •   Over the Counter (OTC)
  •   Music, Movie, Games
  •   Apparel (minimal)
  •   Hardlines

Overview

• The SAP solution for Global Data Synchronization is a turn-key application which leverages the NetWeaver platform and MDM to provide  a comprehensive  end-to-end solution.
• Source data is sent from SAP MDM or SAP ECC to SAP GDS using PI interface.
• There are five simple steps that allow trading partners to synchronize item,
  • Load Data: The seller registers product and company information in its data pool.
  • Register Data: A small subset of this data is sent to the GS1 Global Registry.
  • Request Subscription: The buyer, through its own data pool, subscribes to receive a seller's information.
  • Publish Data: The seller’s data pool publishes the requested information to the buyer’s data pool.
  • Confirm & Inform: The buyer sends a confirmation to the seller via each company's data pool, which informs the supplier of the action taken by the retailer using the information.

GDS Architecture

Registering Inbound Interfaces for GDS

• To receive inbound messages from SAP PI, the Java Proxy Runtime (JPR) to  be registered on the  SAP GDS.
• This task is performed on the PI Adapter Engine on the Web AS Java for the SAP GDS Console.
• Open the JPR proxy server configuration pages of the Web AS Java on which the GDS Console is installed: http://<GDS server name>:<port number>/ProxyServer/.
• Use the /register command to register the following interfaces one after the other, using the nomenclature shown on the JPR proxy server page:

Part of Register Command	Entry
myNamespace	http://sap.com/xi/GDS/21
Interface	MI_TradeItems_In
Bean	TradeItemsInProxy
Method	mITradeItemsIn

• The URL for registering the inbound proxy will be as follows :

         http://<GDS Server>/ProxyServer/register?ns=http://sap.com/xi/GDS/21&interface=MI_TradeItems_In&bean=TradeItemsInProxy&method=mITradeItemsIn

          http://<GDS server>/ProxyServer/register?ns=http://sap.com/xi/GDS/21&interface=MI_DataPoolResponse_In&bean=DataPoolResponseInProxy&method=mIData...

Process Integration - SAP PI

• SAP NetWeaver Process Integration is the central component for exchanging messages between SAP GDS and 1-Sync.
• Based on GDS Version 2.0 / 2.1 the respective standard content to be imported to SAP PI.
• SAP GDS Inbound mapping to be developed using the standard GDS data types. E.g.: TradeItems
• Data can be sourced from any system with PI certified connectivity.
• Default values and additional mappings can be set.
• Customize the GDS outbound mapping (GDS to 1SYNC) based on business needs available under the SWC http://sap.com/xi/GDS/1Sync/IM/68 -1SYNC current version.
• XI Adapter - Java Proxy is used to communicate with SAP GDS application.
• Technical and Business system should be properly configured in PI SLD.
• PIAFUSER is used to connect to SAP GDS Application from PI. PIAFUSER – User should be created in PI and GDS systems.
• AS2 adapter is used to communicate between SAP GDS and 1SYNC.

In the next blog we will discuss about the GDS Inbound Process and Tips and GDS Outbound Process - Item Register and Publish in 1Sync

Please feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments!!

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