DC Velocity - April 2009

roadtrip

making a connection

U Connect 09—a conference sponsored by Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Solutions (VICS) and GS1 US—doesn’t just preach the benefits of collaboration; it provides an actual forum for retailers and their suppliers to sit down and collaborate on solutions to common problems.

Among the highlights of this year’s conference—whose theme is “Transforming Your Supply Chain for Extraordinary Times”—are the

Retailer Sessions and Retailer

Roundtables. At the Retailer Sessions, participating retailers present their key initiatives for the year to enable better collaboration with their suppliers. The roundtables give retailers and their suppliers a chance to meet, problem solve, and work on creating a more efficient and productive trade relationship. Retailers holding roundtables include Ace Hardware, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Best Buy, and CVS Pharmacy.

The conference, which will be held June 2–5 in

Orlando, Fla., also offers manufacturers, retailers, service and solution providers, and distributors an opportunity to talk about how data standards can enhance supply chain operations. Educational sessions look at how to use standards to improve the order-to-cash cycle; the distribution of goods; item identification;

supply chain traceability and visibility; and sustainability. Session presenters will describe how they improved their warranty and service management, achieved data

quality, reduced empty miles, and bypassed the supplier distribution center.

GS1 US is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the implementation of standards-based supply chain solutions. Conference co-organizer VICS has also worked on cross-industry commerce standards as well as initiatives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain.

For more information, visit uconnect.gs1us.org.

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