Page 65 - DCAP306_DCAP511_E-COMMERCE_AND_E-BUSINESS

E-Commerce and E-Business

The EAN system enables automation of stocktaking and inventory control thereby,
reducing the time taken to order, receive, and dispatch goods.

5.2.2 EANCOM
The EAN label is used to integrate the physical flow of goods using bar codes and the business
document flow using EDI. The information contained in the EAN label is transmitted using the
EANCOM EDI messages. Clear explanations help trading partners to exchange commercial documents
in an accurate and cost-effective manner resulting in well-organized transaction processing.
EAN and its Numbering Organizations develop and maintain EANCOM messages. The figure 5.3
depicts the different types of EANCOM messages.

Figure 5.3: Types of EANCOM Messages

The different types of EANCOM messages are:
1. Master Data Messages: Master data messages contain data which does not change frequently.
These include information such as names, addresses and production information.
2. Commercial Transactions Messages: Commercial transactions messages deal with the complete
trading cycle and include quotation, transport and logistics related messages, and purchase
orders.
3. Report and Planning Messages: Report and planning messages include general trading reports
that assist the users in developing business plans. It also contains acknowledgement messages.

4. General Message: The general message provides data transmission for which there is no specific
standard message.
5.2.3 Article Numbering
The EAN numbering system assures unique and clear identification of articles. These numbers can be
used by manufacturers, wholesalers, exporters, and retailers to communicate information regarding the
traded goods or services.
The EAN numbers do not contain any product information and it is the key to access a database.
The EAN system uses unique numbers to identify items, locations, or services. Most of the items
manufactured for sale through retail outlets bear a number and a bar code symbol. The whole number
is made of two sets of digits and a check digit.

EAN Prefix: In India, the EAN prefix is allocated by EAN INDIA. It enables EAN organizations
throughout the world to identify the customer and customer’s country of EAN membership. This prefix
provides the seven or eight of the 13 digits which is required to identify each item.

58 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY