Upstream Integration Model (UIM)

For the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, the GUSI working group supported by GS1 has successfully designed a business model known as the Upstream Integration Model (UIM), and decided to adopt the GS1 XML message standards to exchange information between the trading partners in support of these supply chain processes. The UIM creates a common approach and language for the business processes and data interchanges between manufacturers and their suppliers. It has been designed to cover the following business areas: Procurement, Material forecasting, Inventory management, Dispatch, Receipt, Consumption of Materials and Financial Settlement. The UIM is a modular solution which covers the "plan to cash" process for the two most used procurement scenarios:

• "Traditional Order Management (TOM)" is the "manufacturer-driven" scenario. The demand line is initiated by the manufacturer and sent to the supplier.
• "Supplier Managed Inventory (SMI)" is the "supplier-driven" scenario. The supplier recommends or establishes the deliveries to the manufacturer based on the manufacturer inventory data and or consumption forecast.

The concept of the model is based on six building blocks. Together, the six building blocks create a modular solution to assist defining and driving the implementation of upstream integration.

As shown in the figure below, the UIM establishes clear links between each group of business processes and the interchange of the relevant data for these processes.

How GS1 standards support the model

GS1 Standards

GS1 standards for identification (GTIN, GLN, SSCC, GS1 Logistic Label) support the UIM model. From the eCom Standards only the XML syntax is supported in the exchange of information between the trading partners in support of these supply chain processes. To cover all upstream transactions, 15 messages have been selected from the GS1 XML standards (see figure below). To help implementation of the standards, supporting guidelines are available:

• GTIN allocation rules including specific rules for ingredients, raw materials and packaging,
• UIM implementation guidelines per building block including Message Implementation Guides (MIG's).

There is a section of the GS1 Knowledge Centre dedicated to Upstream Integration. This section gives an complete overview of all GS1 Upstream Integration standards and provides assistance in the implementation.

• View GS1 standards related to Upstream Integration