1. GS1 DataBar: A Practical Guide Presented by Ken Conrad Pinpoint Data, LLC

2. Agenda Implementation Benefits Industry Overview Manufacturer Adoption
Retailer Readiness
Common Issues and “Watch-outs”
DataBar Coding Examples
Next Steps

3. Implementation Benefits

4. Implementation Benefits
Accommodate full GS1 Company Prefixes
Increased coding capabilities
Handle more complex offers
Reduce need for 992
Less cashier intervention
Systematic expiration date checking
Compliance with intended terms of coupon reducing mis-redemption
Systematic identification and blocking of fraudulent or counterfeit coupons
Potential improved tracking of coupon-related sales

5. Industry Overview GS1 DataBar became industry standard in 2011
Majority of manufacturers using DataBar only
UPC prefix “5” retired June 30, 2015
Retailer validation capabilities still vary

6. Retailer Validation Capabilities: 3 Groups

7. Retailer Validation Capabilities: Group 1
Implemented all functionality for full DataBar validation
All purchase requirement fields
Family Code validation
Systematic expiration date checking
Retailer business decisions create validation exceptions
Expiration grace periods >30 days
Disregard start date – valid coupons in market sooner
Accepts competitors coupons – disregard retailer Company Prefix/GLN
Serialization not widely implemented yet

8. Retailer Validation Capabilities: Group 2
Implemented partial DataBar validation resulting in various combinations of the following:
Validate only primary purchase requirement fields
No family code validation
Free offers sometimes treated as “fixed value” discounts
National offers and corresponding barcodes should be kept as straightforward as possible
Gain a full understanding of a retailer’s validation level prior to distributing account-specific offers

9. Retailer Validation Capabilities: Group 3
No DataBar validation capabilities
Convenience and gas, natural foods
Grocery independents, Mom & Pop’s, bodegas, etc.
Some still do not scan coupon barcodes at all
Retirement of UPC prefix “5” may help initiate retailer software/hardware updates to realize scanning efficiencies and controls

10. Common Issues and “Watch-outs”

11. Common Issues & “Watch-outs” General Considerations
Only one discount value can be included (e.g. cannot code “Buy 1 save $0.50 or 2 save $1”)
No more than 3 Company Prefix/family codes can be coded
Primary CP always identifies the funder
Cannot get a product for a pre-determined price (e.g. cannot code “Get product A for $0.99”)

12. Common Issues & “Watch-outs”
DataBar Creation
Up to 70-digits can be coded
Magnification should not be reduced below 80%
Recommended best practice is for no more than 2 stacked rows
DataBar rows should not be truncated
Limited human-readable data only displays Primary CP and offer code

13. Common Issues & “Watch-outs”
GS1 Company Prefixes
GS1 Company Prefix Conversion
for US add a lead “0” to the UPC Company Prefix: UPC CP = GS1 CP
International items labeled with EANs do not require a lead “0” EAN – contains a GS1 CP
Full variable length GS1 CP usage – no truncation is not the same company as or
Correct use of country codes: GS1 CP (UK) is not the same as “ ” (US)
**Incorrect/incomplete Company Prefix usage could result in POS scanning failures, company conflicts, and misdirection during clearing

14. Common Issues & “Watch-outs”
992 Bypass Family Code
Skips POS purchase validation
Expanded DataBar capabilities should greatly reduce usage
Should only be used when necessary:
Fresh foods/random weight items
Offers spanning more than 3 Company Prefixes

15. Common Issues & “Watch-outs”
Free Offers
Free item quantities must be included in purchase requirement Buy 1 Get 1 Free (same item) – PR = 2
If retailer is only validating primary information:
max value may be processed as “cents off”
Free Item may not be identified if coded in 2nd or 3rd PR
Maximum Value cannot be coded when Save Value Code “2” is used (more than one free item). Save Value becomes number of items to be given free.

16. Common Issues & “Watch-outs” Variable Length Indicators (VLI’s)
Critical for identifying number of digits within a variable length field e.g. Save Value of $0.50 = 50 (2 digits) vs. $1.00 = 100 (3 digits)
Two types:
Standard: VLI = length of field Example A: Save Value $1.00 (100) VLI = 3 Example B: Save Value $0.50 (50) VLI = 2
Offset of 6: Length of data in field - 6 = VLI Example A: GS1 CP (7 digits) – offset 6 = VLI “1” Example B: GS1 CP (10 digits) – offset 6 = VLI “4”

17. Common Issues & “Watch-outs” Coding Considerations
Checker Intervention is not tied to the coupon value – only takes the place of the purchase requirement
DataBar “Do Not Multiply” flag replaces the old EAN-99 and should be used under the same criteria:
Only when issuing in-store coupons & requested by the retailer
Must match coupon artwork (if used “Do Not Double” should appear on the coupon as well)
% off Save Value option should be used with caution as it may not be supported by POS and clearing processes

18. Common Issues & “Watch-outs”
Retailer Validation Levels vs. Coding Options
Design simple and easy to communicate offers
Avoid coding complex purchase requirements whenever possible
Consider consequences if only Primary data is validated
Consider possibility that family codes will not be validated
Discuss all validation capabilities and concerns with trading partners

19. GS1 DataBar Coding Examples

20. DataBar Coding Examples
Cents-off: One Item

21. DataBar Coding Examples
Cents-off: One Item
Primary Fields:
Application Identifier
Primary GS1 Company Prefix VLI 1
Primary GS1 Company Prefix
Offer Code
Save Value VLI 2
Save Value 50
Primary Purchase Requirement VLI 1
Primary Purchase Requirement 1
Primary Purchase Req. Code 0 (Number of units)
Primary Purchase Family Code 111
GS1 DataBar:

22. DataBar Coding Examples Cents-off: Three Different Items

23. DataBar Coding Examples Cents-off: Three Different Items
Primary Fields:
Application Identifier
Primary GS1 Company Prefix VLI 1
Primary GS1 Company Prefix
Offer Code
Save Value VLI 2
Save Value 50
Primary Purchase Requirement VLI 1
Primary Purchase Requirement 1
Primary Purchase Req. Code (Number of units)
Primary Purchase Family Code 111
Data Field 1: 2nd Qualifying Purchase
Second Qualifying Purchase 1
Add'l Purchase Rules Code (Primary Item or Second Item or Third Item)
Second Purchase Requirement VLI 1
Second Purchase Requirement 1
Second Purchase Req. Code (Number of units)
Second Purchase Family Code 222
Second GS1 Company Prefix VLI 4
Second GS1 Company Prefix
Data Field 2: 3rd Qualifying Purchase
Third Qualifying Purchase 2
Third Purchase Requirement VLI 1
Third Purchase Requirement 1
Third Purchase Req. Code (Number of units)
Third Purchase Family Code 333
Third GS1 Company Prefix VLI 9
Third GS1 Company Prefix Same as Primary
GS1 DataBar:

24. DataBar Coding Examples Free Offer: BOGO (Same Product)

25. DataBar Coding Examples Free Offer: BOGO (Same Product)
Primary Fields:
Application Identifier
Primary GS1 Company Prefix VLI 1
Primary GS1 Company Prefix
Offer Code
Save Value VLI 3
Save Value
Primary Purchase Requirement VLI 1
Primary Purchase Requirement 2
Primary Purchase Req. Code 0 (Number of units)
Primary Purchase Family Code 111
Data Field 9:
Miscellaneous Elements 9
Save Value Code (Qualifying purchase item is free up to max amount in Save Value)
Applies to Which Item (Primary Item)
Store Coupon (Not a store coupon)
Don't Multiply Flag (Offer may be multiplied)
GS1 DataBar:

26. DataBar Coding Examples Free Offer: BOGO (Different Products)

27. DataBar Coding Examples Free Offer: BOGO (Different Products)
Primary Fields:
Application Identifier
Primary GS1 Company Prefix VLI 1
Primary GS1 Company Prefix
Offer Code
Save Value VLI 3
Save Value
Primary Purchase Requirement VLI 1
Primary Purchase Requirement 1
Primary Purchase Req. Code (Number of units)
Primary Purchase Family Code 111
Data Field 1: 2nd Qualifying Purchase
Second Qualifying Purchase 1
Add'l Purchase Rules Code (BOTH - Primary Item and Second Item)
Second Purchase Requirement VLI 1
Second Purchase Requirement 1
Second Purchase Req. Code (Number of units)
Second Purchase Family Code 222
Second GS1 Company Prefix VLI 1
Second GS1 Company Prefix
Data Field 9:
Miscellaneous Elements 9
Save Value Code (Qualifying purchase item is free up to maximum amount in Save Value)
Applies to Which Item (Primary Item)
Store Coupon (Not a store coupon)
Don't Multiply Flag (Offer may be multiplied)
GS1 DataBar:

28. DataBar Coding Examples Free Offer: Multiple Free Items

29. DataBar Coding Examples Free Offer: Multiple Free Items
Primary Fields:
Application Identifier
Primary GS1 Company Prefix VLI 1
Primary GS1 Company Prefix
Offer Code
Save Value VLI 1
Save Value 2
Primary Purchase Requirement VLI 1
Primary Purchase Requirement 7
Primary Purchase Req. Code 0 (Number of units)
Primary Purchase Family Code 111
Data Field 9:
Miscellaneous Elements 9
Save Value Code (Number of qualifying purchase items free)
Applies to Which Item (Primary Item)
Store Coupon (Not a store coupon)
Don't Multiply Flag (Offer may be multiplied)
GS1 DataBar:

30. DataBar Coding Examples Cents-off Next Shopping Order

31. DataBar Coding Examples Cents-off Next Shopping Order
Primary Fields:
Application Identifier
Primary GS1 Company Prefix VLI 1
Primary GS1 Company Prefix
Offer Code
Save Value VLI 3
Save Value
Primary Purchase Requirement VLI 3
Primary Purchase Requirement 500
Primary Purchase Req. Code 2 (Value of total transaction)
Primary Purchase Family Code 000
Data Field 9:
Miscellaneous Elements 9
Save Value Code (Cents off final transaction amount)
Applies to Which Item (Primary Item)
Store Coupon (Not a store coupon)
Don't Multiply Flag (Offer may be multiplied)
GS1 DataBar:

32. Next Steps

33. Manufacturer Checklist
Next Steps
Manufacturer Checklist
Learn DataBar capabilities and coding techniques.
Appraise family code structures and procedures.
Implement procedures, tools, and training across staff and agencies to promote accuracy, visibility, and consistency.
Monitor all DataBar activity to quickly address emerging issues.
Stay informed of industry updates through coupon education courses and seminars. Include employees from all related areas in training.

34. Next Steps Retailer Checklist
Assess DataBar hardware and software compatibility.
Define business rules regarding DataBar interpretations and validation for POS processing.
Track and evaluate hard-to-handle offers to identify recurring and addressable problems.
Stay informed of industry updates through coupon education courses and seminars. Include employees from all related areas in training.

35. Questions?

36. DataBar Coding Examples Cents-off: Two Different Items

37. DataBar Coding Examples Cents-off: Two Different Items
Primary Fields:
Application Identifier
Primary GS1 Company Prefix VLI 1
Primary GS1 Company Prefix
Offer Code
Save Value VLI 3
Save Value
Primary Purchase Requirement VLI 1
Primary Purchase Requirement 1
Primary Purchase Req. Code 0 (Number of units)
Primary Purchase Family Code 111
Second Qualifying Purchase: 1
Add'l Purchase Rules Code (BOTH - Primary Item AND Second Item)
Second Purchase Requirement VLI 1
Second Purchase Requirement 1
Second Purchase Req. Code 0 (Number of units)
Second Purchase Family Code 222
Second GS1 Company Prefix VLI 9
Second GS1 Company Prefix Same as Primary
GS1 DataBar: