How to use DSDF? (IGITALEUROPE ervice Data ormat) How to use DSDF? (DIGITALEUROPE Service Data Format)

DIGITALEUROPE Service Data Format (DSDF) 1. Meaning of DSDF 2. Target group 3. Reasons for development 4. Targets & Advantages 5. Formats 6. Implementation & Outlook

1. Meaning “DSDF” is the abbreviation for DIGITALEUROPE Service Data Format developed by the e-Service Group of DIGITALEUROPE organisation. The purpose of this format is to exchange service data between IT-systems of all parties involved in service-processes.

2. Target group The use of DSDF is meant for all partners involved in a service process such as: manufacturers logistic companies call center / service companies / providers IT-services repair shops purchase co operations and dealers

2. Target group

3. Reasons for the DSDF-development In the past manufacturers mostly were informed about warranty claims of their products after a repair process was closed. By means of the DSDF data exchange manufacturers will be informed about existent product defects already from the beginning. The information contain details about the entire service process, i.e. from the announcement, the pick-up service/logistics, the repair respectively the take-back activities, the product return to the administrative handling. All parties involved will be advised about the current status already from the beginning.

4. Targets & Advantages of DSDF fort he users quick data exchange will become necessary in future data monitoring will become more and more important reduction of multiple handling through different knowledge of the parties involved use of a common data format (harmonisation) reduction of redundant jobs and costs at the user’s site It is also possible to install cross linking to further manufacturer driven processes. In addition the format can be used for so called bulk-shipments within logistic processes.

5. Formats General The DSDF allows using XML and TXT-formats as a standard. The DSDF can be use flexibly by different channels (web service, ftp-server or ) and can be integrated into company internal data bases / interfaces. Schematical configuration of the standard form: all data are structured in so called “containers” each data field has a unique field name characters and contents are defined certain fields already dispose of fixed contents (e.g. details about currency, status, etc.) mandatory fields require data input (e.g. manufacturer’s name, country code) additional fields can be defined as mandatory or optional fields among the users

5. Formats TXT-Format N = numerical only numerical data from 0 to 9 numerical data are adjusted to the right and filled up with 0 to the left X = alpha-numerical alpha-numerical data from 0 to 9 and A to Z as well as country specific characters control code characters are not allowed alpha-numerical data are adjusted to the left and filled up with blanks “ “ to the right. Data records All data records are transferred as a text file. Several batched can be included in one file. In case of a claim all records should be come / inserted in an ascending sequence. Each record type (line) has to be closed with a line feed CHR (10) plus carriage return CHR (13). For UNIX EDP only line feed CHR (10) can be used optionally. All fields in a record have to be filled in (or filled up) as soon as the record type is included. The record length is mandatory to match the format definition. Code table for Windows is used / standard Windows Ansi ISO / Code Page 1252 Western Europe.

5. Formats XML-Format XML (Extensible Mark-up Language) describes a standard to define a mark-up language in the computer technology. Hierarchical structured data are demonstrated by means of text files and are used for data exchange among computer systems, in particular via internet. Names and structural elements can be chosen individually. A XML-element can contain and describe different data (e.g. texts, graphics). A XML-document disposes of a physical and a logical structure. A data record has to comply with rules such as base/root elements, i.e. the outside element of a document a start and an end code of all elements including contents any attributes with the same name When using XML-documents for data exchanges the format should be defined by a so called grammar (document type definition – DTD – or an XML-scheme). The reading of the XML-document is done through particular programme components, a XML-processor. The conversion of XML-documents / data records can be executed via “data binding” (data access as data structure directly for programme access).

6. Implementation & Outlook Publication of version 1.0. on the DIGITALEUROPE homepage in autumn Integration of the contents of “EICTA 2.0 warranty information” in the DSDF in 2010 to obtain a fully XML-based interface. Information about spare parts should be integrated in the DSDF next year as well. All “old” formats, e.g. EICTA 2.0 can also be used in future. Trading companies (e.g. Media Markt Saturn) as well as logistic providers (DPD, UPS) have shown interest in using the new interface. Further developments of the DSDF will be continuously adapted through the DIGITALEUROPE workgroup “e-Service workgroup.