GTIN.cloud and GS1 US Data Hub are booth tools available to members for managing GTIN assignment and product data. As the year comes to a close, both resources have added expanded functionalities in recent updates.
Digital Barcode Files
The GS1 US Data Hub now offers position-only barcodes files in both .PNG and .EPS file formats. It is important to note that these images are for-position-only use for package markups. Although vector based, these files do not incorporate necessary bar width adjustment compensation nor are from a GS1 certified software application.
The GTIN.cloud management portal dynamically generates barcode images from the GS1/UCC.EAN certified software engine PrecisionCode. Although EPS is the recommended format, PDF and EMF file formats are now available for printer-ready graphics. Bar width adjustment compensation is factored in the barcode creation.
Expanded Connectivity
Companies that subscribe to the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN), can now use the GDSN Harvester functionality to synchronize their GTINs from their data pool to GS1 US Data Hub at no additional cost. Users previously need to have an Enterprise subscription for this functionality.
GTINs and associated product data in GTIN.cloud can now be filtered and exported to a CSV that can be imported to the Google Merchant Center. All entered data and filters are personally reviewed by an assigned consultant to ensure accuracy for data format and content.
Updated GS1 Company Prefixes Visible on GTIN.cloud
Retailers and marketplaces (Amazon) rely on authentication tools such as GTIN.cloud and Verified by GS1 to validate GTIN/Company Prefix ownership. The recent upgrade to GTIN.cloud enables members to dynamically include their actual certificate for each GTIN lookup. The query will indicate the date of request, and the authentic certificate indicates validity.
Upcoming 2025 Improvements
The GS1 Digital Link initiative is empowering 2D barcodes to connect to web connections identifiers similar to URLs, enhancing the shopping experience for consumers and modernizing mobile-phone scanning. The adoption of GS1 Digital Link includes a “2027 sunrise date“, by which time retailers are expected to accept 2D barcodes at point-of-sale. This transition aims to encode additional data attributes and empower advanced use cases in retail and other industries. The GTIN.cloud platform can already create the transitional UPC barcode plus 2D Digital Link QR Code in .EPS file format with bar width adjustment. Updates expected February will enable users to create these links simply within their portal account, for no additional fees.
To learn more about the 2D Digital Link and implementation, please click here.
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