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Introducing the VBN product identification system for potted plants
Increasing numbers of Landgard?s pot plant customers are demanding a standard identification system for pot plants across Europe. The Association of Horticulture system used until now in Germany employs four-figure grade numbers. It is only possible to differentiate between varieties, size of pots and other parameters to a very limited extent. As there is little to distinguish between individual items in the current system it no longer meets the demands of our customers. Plus, it hardly provides horticultural businesses with suitable recommendations for production purposes. Landgard has recognised and responded to this and on 1 January 2006 introduced Europe?s leading coding system developed by the Dutch Flower Auctions Association (VBN).
Attention should be paid to the following points:
1. Product specifications
Include minimum standards for products, quality and grading specifications, packaging and description regulations. Distinctions are made between general product specifications for indoor and bedding plants and detailed product specifications for individual items such as primroses, geraniums, hyacinths, etc. Product specifications are currently being introduced or already have been for pot plant auctions.
2. Product codes
Include minimum standards for products, quality and grading specifications, packaging and description regulations. Distinctions are made between general product specifications for indoor and bedding plants and detailed product specifications for individual items such as primroses, geraniums, hyacinths, etc. Product specifications are currently being introduced or already have been for pot plant auctions.
Buddleia | davidii | ,Black Knight? | Genus | Species | Variety |
Compared with the approximately 2,300 variety numbers in the ZVG system the VBN system uses about 22,000 product codes.
3. Grade codes
G-codes are used to describe various characteristics of products such as pot size, plant height, plant diameter, etc. Depending on the genus of the item, providing the various grading characteristics is mandatory, recommended or voluntary. The specifications are compiled in a table for indoor plants and for bedding plants. As such, a product can be described using up to four different characteristics. G-codes are already used at auctions and will be introduced to sales and marketing and the cash and carry stores in the autumn of 2006.
4. Koercodes
At pot plant auctions the previously used Koercodes to define product quality have been replaced by the VBN codes and are already in use.
5. Packaging codes
The complete description of an item also includes details on product packaging. In the case of pot plants these are essentially pallets or cartons. Depending on the material and dimensions the appropriate packaging code is determined.
In order to introduce this product characterisation system to the chain in an integrated fashion from the supplier to Landgard to the customer, radical changes to the merchandise management system were required. First of all a database structure had to be created, which includes all the parameters of the VBN system. Formulas then had to be established, which represent the system at various points of the chain. It should be pointed out here that changes in operational procedures may well occur. Landgard will implement these modifications in the merchandise management system and inform all the partners involved in the business in due course.
If you have any questions about ?Introducing the VBN system?, please contact Dr. Jens Wittmann, Master Data Management,
Tel.: 0 28 39 ? 59 11 14.
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