No.89 May 1, 2005   A Perspective for the GDS Network and Collaborative Commerce in Japan   Naoaki FUJINO and Masayuki SASAGAWA       In January 2005, countries in both Europe and North America had adopted a standard product code structure. Up to the end of 2004, the product code structure in Europe had been inconsistent with the one in North America. In addition, these countries began operation of a new IT infrastructure called the Global Data Synchronization Network.       This network virtually enables automation of the synchronization of product master data that previously had been operated manually. Of more significance, this infrastructure aims to promote "collaborative commerce" rather than simply to reduce the workload required in updating the master database. In this paper, we define collaborative commerce as pursuing the optimization of a supply chain among manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.        In Japan, the government is taking the initiative in developing a master data synchronization network. However, it is not necessarily easy to add sophistication to business processes with the new infrastructure because most Japanese companies, unlike Western companies, have just started to understand the concept of collaborative commerce. Rather, it is likely that the gap between Japanese companies and Western companies may widen even further.       It is time for Japanese companies to take the initiative in incorporating this new opportunity into their companies' strategies. Contents I GDS as the Distribution IT Infrastructure Covering the Global Market II GDS Aiming to Achieve Collaborative Commerce III GDS in Europe and North America Started in 2005 IV Start of Master Data Synchronization in Three Segments in Japan V The Essence of Collaborative Commerce 1. Beyond Push and Pull Strategies 2. Multiple Companies Acting as a Single Company VI Business Processes in Collaborative Commerce Applicable in Japan 1. Category Management 2. CPFR VII Prospect of GDS and Collaborative Commerce in Japan VIII Pursuing the Establishment of Win-Win Relationships 1. Separation of Salespersons, Buyers and Category Managers 2. To Win a Race, Start Early GO to PDF