Count Down

27 DAYS UNTIL THE JANUARY 09 SWITCH OVER

The count down is underway! The 1st January 09 is only 27 days away from House of Frasers product data switch over.

Welcome to the UK DataSync Community update

The ramifications of the 2.5% VAT change have been hard felt throughout the entire UK supply chain.

Alistair Darling Inovis run one of the largest electronic document services (PO's ASN's etc) for retail, InovisWorks, and we are focused on supporting all our 2,500 customers through this tough time. We hope you too are ahead of this change, and congratulate all for pulling together to solve this shared problem.

Christmas Hamper

The community continues to grow at a significant rate with some great brands to add to the DataSync community update. It occurred to us, what with it being nearly Christmas and all, the brands that are joining would make a delectable, Christmas Hamper for the DataSync Christmas tree!

Antlers' "Camden Town" Silver laptop case was so cool we decided to use it as the "Hamper Case." First in the case was a beautiful Dartington Crystal "Blaze" bottle followed quickly by a Jacket from World Design & Trades' Firetrap brand range.

Crab Tree Hamper Crabtree and Evelyn's relaxing body care kit was next on the list and we had no idea that Crabtree and Evelyn also sold marmalade so the preserves gift set also went in. Have you seen Walkers Shortbread "Glenfiddich Whisky Cake"? We did and added that in as well.

With so many great brands joining the programme we're all looking forward to next weeks shopping trip.

Please remember, as we move into 2009, that Inovis DataSync is an efficient, timesaving way of distributing your product data to Retailers. All you have to do is point additional retailers to us and we can connect them so that you have one place to upload all your data. The Inovis DataSync service enters its 20th year anniversary next year and already many world brands mandate to their retailers the use of Inovis DataSync simply because a single update makes sense. Please speak to a member of our HOF DataSync Team on 01772 646 017 for further information.

As a reminder: House of Fraser launched DataSync to all suppliers and other UK retailers in September this year. The programme was introduced by a letter from Colin Porter to all suppliers and followed up by a further letter outlining the required date for product data to be uploaded to the Inovis DataSync service.

Those letters, along with an explanatory Supplier Pack and Order Forms, have now been sent to every supplier to House of Fraser. If you don't have a copy you might find that someone else in your business has received the relevant information. Do not worry, you can request another copy right here - just fill in the short form at the bottom of this page.

Retailers Rally to start Synchronisation

House of Fraser launched the service to other retailers at the same time it launched to the HOF community and Inovis has been active in discussion with over 10 high street chains. A number of these discussions have now moved to detailed project analysis. We will keep you informed via this newsletter as to when these programmes might affect you.

DataSync Demonstrations Update

A large number of suppliers have taken Inovis up on the offer of a DataSync demonstration. From recent feedback they have found this very useful and it has helped them recognise the benefit of the programme. With this in mind we are very pleased with the number of suppliers who have signed up and began the Enablement process since the last newsletter went out.

As the deadline is approaching suppliers are doing their up most to have the contracts signed and sent back to the Inovis Enablement Team. With only four weeks left the schedule is becoming increasingly busy. Please speak to a member of our DataSync Team on 01772 646 017 .

Enablement Frequently Asked Question: What is a selection code?

A selection code is a 3-digit number identifying a group of the supplier's products. For example, if the supplier were to sell Men's footwear and Men's swimwear then they would be given selection code 206 for Footwear and 234 for Swimwear; the supplier would then place their products under the appropriate category within the catalogue. Organising the catalogue in this manner helps both supplier and retailer locate products and barcodes faster and makes uploading to the catalogue more efficient.

DataSync 5 most recent

Programme joiners: Programme trained:

Walkers Shortbread Gardeners of Scotland

Courtaulds World Design And Trade Company

Hatch Mansfield Sebo UK Ltd

Dartington Crystal Just Sheepskin

Churchill China Intimas Ltd TA Lepel