Data Driver Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does Data Driver work?

2. Why should I use Data Driver?

3. Does Data Driver create bar codes for me?

4. How can I print out my product information?

5. What is the difference between a Product Summary and a Product Identification Detail Sheet?

6. Why should I identify the different locations of my business?

7. What symbologies does Data Driver support? What if I want to use a different symbology?

8. What does “Clone Product” mean?

9. Can I use Data Driver if we already have products with bar code numbers (GTINs) on the market?

10. How do I enter a bar code number (GTIN) for a product already on the market?

11. What is a “variable measure” product?

12. Why should I enter my variable measure product into Data Driver?

13. How can I create a bar code for my variable measure product?

14. Will Data Driver create a Product Identification Detail Sheet for my variable measure product?

15. How do I bar code additional information such as Batch/Lot, and Expiration Date on my pharmaceutical products?

16. How do I bar code my product with an GS1-128 Symbology to show lot #, expiry, best-before dates, etc?

2. Why should I use Data Driver? (Back to top)
Data Driver is a quick and easy to use tool that takes the work out of defining globally unique identification numbers and associated bar codes for your products. Data Driver:
- provides a simple way to build the numbers needed for your bar codes.
- provides a preformatted storage method for your product data (similar to much more expensive item master programs)
- is the only piece of software that is maintained according to GS1 System standards. The bar code information generated by Data Driver is always automatically in compliance with the up-to-date GS1 System standards.
- is a foundation for your business to begin electronic commerce (EC) and data synchronization. Your data adheres to the GS1 System standards for EC and is transaction ready
- provides specifications for you or your label vendor to follow to create high quality bar codes. It’s important to have high quality bar codes on your products to avoid expensive charge backs from retailers.

3. Does Data Driver create bar codes for me? (Back to top)
No. Data Driver creates a document called a Product Identification Detail Sheet that includes the information your label vendor needs to print your bar code labels for individual retail products and distribution packaging (inner packs, cases, and pallets.) If you prefer, you may purchase software and a printer to print the bar code labels yourself using the information provided in Data Driver. You will be connected to the online list of GS1 US-certified companies who specialize in label orders and in-house printing software/hardware to assist you with your bar coding needs.

4. How can I print out my product information? (Back to top)
There are several printing options available from the Products Menu.

a. To print a Summary of the information you’ve entered on a single product, inner pack, case, pallet, mixed cases, or mixed pallets, click on the “Products ” button on the “Main Menu.” From the “Products Menu” screen, choose the specific entry from the list and click the “Summary” button.

b. To print a Spread Sheet of all of the product information you have entered into Data Driver to date, go to "File" at the top of your window and select "Export My Data" from the drop down menu. You may now save a copy of all of your product information to your personal computer. Choose the MS Excel (.xls) format for printing.

c. To print your Product Identification Detail Sheet, which contains the information needed to print your bar code labels, click on the “Products ” button on the “Main Menu.” From the “Products Menu” screen, choose the specific product from the list and click the “Product Identification Detail Sheet” button.

5. What is the difference between a Product Summary and a Product Identification Detail Sheet? (Back to top)
Your Product Summary will be a listing of all of the information you enter into Data Driver about your product, such as the height and weight.

Your Product Identification Detail Sheet will contain all of the details your label vendor needs to fulfill an order for bar code labels, such as your GTIN, X-dimension, surface the bar code will be applied to, and the minimum size of the bar code label. It will also include a general illustration to show the recommended placement of the bar code label on your product to help you once you have your bar codes.

6. Why should I identify the different locations of my business? (Back to top)
In addition to being an easy to use tool to define numbers for your bar codes, Data Driver is a foundation for your business to begin electronic commerce and data synchronization. Your trading partners may require you to participate in electronic commerce (EC) in the future, and you will be prepared to meet their requirements.

When entering your company locations into Data Driver, choose the location for receiving label orders. This information will be included in the Product Identification Detail Sheet that is created for your label vendor.

7. What bar code symbologies does Data Driver support? What if I want to use a different symbology? (Back to top)
Data Driver supports the UPC-A, a full size bar code that is the most commonly used bar code for retail products. Data Driver also supports the smaller UPC-E bar code in some situations. For non-retail levels of packaging, the ITF-14 Symbology is used.

For information about using Reduced Space Symbology (RSS) on very small healthcare items, produce, or fresh meat products, refer to one or more of the following Guidelines in the Solutions Center. These can be found in Document Library/Bar Code Documents:
- Guidelines for Very Small Healthcare Items with RSS and Composite Symbology
- Guidelines for RSS-14 Stacked to Individual Produce Item
- Guidelines for RSS Expanded Symbols to Fresh Meat Products

8. What does “Clone Product” mean? (Back to top)
Cloning a product allows you to copy and edit a similar product, which takes less time than entering all the details yourself. The item is assigned a new, unique Global Trade Item Number (GTIN).
Examples: Coffee mugs in different colors, different types of cheese that are packaged similarly.

9. Can I use Data Driver if we already have products with bar code numbers (GTINs) on the market? (Back to top)
Yes. To use Data Driver correctly, you must first enter the bar code numbers (GTINs) from all individual retail items, inner packs, cases, pallets, mixed cases and mixed pallets, you already have on the market. If you proceed without entering the bar code numbers (GTINs) you are already using, the products you identify will not have unique numbers and retailers will not be able to sell them.

10. How do I enter a bar code number (GTIN) for a product already on the market? (Back to top)
The first time you use Data Driver, your GS1 Company Prefix will appear along with the question, “Have you created bar codes (including U.P.C.’s) with the number above?” When you click on “yes,” you will be taken to a special section of Data Driver, “Load GTINs Already In Use.” If your company has more than one GS1 Company Prefix, you will be prompted to answer that question each time you use Data Driver.

Click on the “Products” button on the Main Menu, and then click on the “Load GTINs Already In Use” tab on the “Products Menu” screen to reach the section where the numbers already in use must be entered.

11. What is a “variable measure” product? (Back to top)
Products that can vary in weight, quantity, or dimensions are “variable measure.”
Examples: spool of cable, wheel of cheese, side of beef, roll of newsprint

12. Why should I enter my variable measure product into Data Driver?
(Back to top)
By entering your variable measure product into Data Driver, you are building and tracking the foundation for the bar code that will be created at the point of sale. Retailers will need the information entered into Data Driver, which you can provide them in a Summary created by Data Driver. When you participate in electronic commerce transactions (which is the way many retailers communicate with their suppliers), your product information will be formatted correctly.

13. How can I create a bar code for my variable measure product? (Back to top)
To create a bar code for your variable measure product, you will need specific information about the individual product you intend to bar code, such as the weight. Since this information varies from product to product, it is typically figured at the store (e.g., a chicken is weighed and a bar code with the price is then printed). For specific information on how to do this go to the Solutions Center (Retail Point of Sale Product Sold After Being Weighed or Measured in “Bar Codes for Different Uses.")

14. Will Data Driver create a Product Identification Detail Sheet for my variable measure product? (Back to top)
When you enter a variable measure product, Data Driver will only create a Product Summary of your information that you may wish to provide to retailers. For variable measure products, it is the retailer who usually prints the bar code labels.

15. How do I bar code additional information such as Batch/Lot, and Expiration Date on my pharmaceutical products?(Back to top)
Although not currently required by the FDA bar coding rules, Batch/Lot, and Expiration Date are recommended for NDC/NHRIC products. To find out more about implementing Batch, Lot, and Expiration Date within your bar code number, visit the Solutions Center . This content can be found in Document Library/Bar Code Documents/GS1 General Specifications.

16. How do I bar code my product with an GS1-128 Symbol to show lot #, expiry, best-before dates, etc? (Back to top)
You will use Data Driver to track your GTIN and product information as usual, however, you need to get additional instructions to add-on to the GTIN. As a GS1 US Partner Connections Member, you have access to the Solutions Center (an online information library with guidelines and tools, to help you use the GS1 System). You will find information on how these symbols are used to carry Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) for identification of individual non-retail trade items. In addition to the information provided in the Solutions Center, you should explain what you are trying to accomplish to your bar code label vendor to further ensure your desired product identification.