The GS1 Denmark web EDI portal is based on the principles of simple electronic business in the context of the GS1 system , i.e. GS1 GLN (formerly known as EAN location numbers) and GTINs (EAN product numbers) are mandatory and all products in the trading partner relationship are known to the buyer in advance. LE@N's simple web interface allows SME's to send and receive a variety of business messages such as invoices and orders to trading partners in the system. Specifically, LE@N enables the most basic user to send an invoice to the eGovernment public sector via EDI, which is a mandatory requirement in Denmark and can be a substantial barrier to smaller organisations that supply the public sector. LE@N has simplified the trading relationship with Denmark's public sector and is a simple, inexpensive comprehensive solution to doing eProcurement via EDI with governmental institutions in Denmark

Description of target users and groups

The LE@N system was developed primarily as a inexpensive solution for SMEs that needed to do EDI with their larger retail trading partners. Today this has been expanded to encompass suppliers to Danish eProcurement in the public sector.

Description of the way to implement the initiative

The solution has been implemented by using a well established IT organisation to host the service whilst the GS1 Denmark organisation provides its users with firstline support. Marketing initiatives and development of the service are undertaken by GS1 Denmark in conjunction with stakeholders.

Technology solution

The whole premise of the system is that it uses International and National EDI messaging standards as the basis for message exchange. The system is further "built out" by building on the foundational EDI standards and uses the GS1 system keys GLNs & GTINs (EAN Numbers) and relies on master data alignment to make the ordering of goods process as simple as possible. By having a predefined range of goods in the system specified as a GTIN, the ordering party has less chance to mis-key and order the wrong item. Technology choice: Standards-based technology

Main results, benefits and impacts

The real impact of the implementation of the LE@N system is that several hundred Danish suppliers to Retail and the Danish Public sector are now reaping the benefits of an inexpensive, simple EDI system that would have otherwise required a larger investment in either outsourcing or taking in-house. Competitive advantage: 1. These smaller organisations have also developed tighter working relationships with their larger retail partners and, as a result, have strengthening their electronic and commercial ties. 2. Another significant aspect of a LE@N implementation is that user companies have a relatvely easy exit strategy if their trading partner relationship stops, very little 'wasted' investment in heavy EDI systems 3. These companies have the peace of mind in knowing that the LE@N system will be built out with the latest requirements from any national eProcurement initiatives, this could otherwise involve a substantial cost to the SME in upgrades or re-mapping 4. Organisations of all sizes within Denmark can now easily trade with the Danish public sector and the private sector using the LE@N service

Return on investment

Return on investment: €5-15,000

Track record of sharing

None to date

Lessons learnt

1. Use standards to normalise your EDI exchanges to prevent a schism between Private and public sector electronic commerce standards. 2. Use the complete GS1 system (e.g. Data pool alignment services), to differentiate and add value to your supply chain 3. The LE@N system has proven to substantially lower EDI barriers in Denmark for SMEs and has made the exchange of EDI between private and public sectors simple and cost effective. Scope: National