DDS Helps ETIM North America Re-Launch to Drive Global Data Standards

As a founding member of the re-launch of ETIM North America association, DDS (Distributor Data Solutions), Salt Lake City, said in a press release that the association will be a dedicated non-profit organization that will maintain and promote the adoption of ETIM standards in the U.S., Canada and Mexico in line with the worldwide data standards initiative. Industry veteran Mary Shaw is the executive director of ETIM North America, and DDS president Matt Christensen will be president of the association.

ETIM is the international data model for the standardization and classification of technical product data and is used by global manufacturers, distributors and end-users doing business in dozens of countries. Developed in Europe, ETIM was established to meet growing demands for a clear, discerning information structure for available technical products. Initially developed for the electro-technical sector, ETIM has steadily expanded its activities to different industries and countries worldwide, currently offering the ETIM classification model in 17 languages.

According to the DDS press release, more than 20 national and regional ETIM organizations (federations) support their communities’ members and translate the model into their country’s language. ETIM North America was first introduced in 2015, though adoption and use of ETIM standards in North America has lagged due to a limited focus and sporadic efforts to adopt UNSPNC-based standards. However, as global business dynamics and e-commerce initiatives have accelerated, ETIM is becoming the global standard.

As specialists in e-commerce product data, DDS has helped establish the new ETIM North America association with the goal of spearheading an active community empowered by a diverse manufacturer, distributor, manufacturer representation and technology provider membership. Membership is open to all companies and associations in ETIM’s focused industries.

“As the founding member of the new ETIM North America, DDS will pursue more aggressive promotion of and adherence to the ETIM model and standards at a time when they are becoming essential in the global market,” says DDS’ Christensen in the press release. “We have some catching up to do, but this initiative is absolutely relevant and beneficial to the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Within North America the initial focus has been the electrical industry and we’re working to finalize those standards and then moving into complementary industries.”

Christensen added that distributor and supplier members of ETIM North America “can reduce costs in the supply chain and bring more value and functionality to users of this information.”