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The Global Language of Business

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The Global Language of Business

What is a Supply Chain

GS1 US Data Hub Help Center

Improve Location Data Quality

When you create a Global Location Number (GLN), you can add several attributes about the location or party. Adding high-quality data can improve the way your company and trading partners identify the parties involved in transactions. This data also makes it easier to track the movement of products through the supply chain.

View the questions and answers below, which are categorized by these segments:

Adding and Maintaining GLNs             Address Data                GLN Attributes

Adding and Maintaining GLNs:

When you create a new GLN, you can associate this new GLN with the GLN it is replacing. For example, when a company closes an existing distribution center, and opens a new distribution center, serving the same purpose, it can associate the GLN of the new distribution center with the GLN of the former distribution center. Follow these steps to replace the GLN:

Note: Make sure to enter the former GLN in the Replaces GLN field BEFORE you change this former GLN’s GLN Type to Inactive.

1. When entering the new GLN, type the “former” 13-dight GLN in the Replaces GLN field.

2. Click Save Draft or Publish GLN.

3. Now you can return to the former GLN and change the GLN Type to Inactive.

All GLNs must have an Administrative Parent. When you create your first GLN, you will have to select the Top Level GLN as the parent.

As you start to build additional GLNs, consider building a GLN hierarchy, in which you define a relational structure of locations and parties to support supply chain processes and transactions.

Read the GS1 US Building a GLN Hierarchy document to learn more.

You cannot delete a Published GLN. However, you can change the GLN Type(s) contained in the GLN to Inactive.

GS1 US Data Hub Location View/Use subscribers will see that the GLN Type is Inactive. They can also filter results to display only Active GLN Types.

Yes, when importing, select "Y" in the Validate Only column within the template. GS1 US Data Hub will validate these new GLNs without importing them into the system, and if necessary. If errors exist, they are displayed in the "Results" file. This enables you to make any corrections before importing them into GS1 US Data Hub.

Click the GLN to view the Location Detail Record. Click the History tab, and scroll down to view the first activity, in which this GLN moved from the DRAFT to PUBLISHED State. This is the date the GLN was published.

GLN History

Yes, only Managed GLN subscribers can transfer a GLN. View the Transfer a GLN article learn more.

Address Data:

If you are creating a GLN and the physical address you're entering is already associated with another published GLN, you can add data in the Address Line 2 and Address Line 3 fields to distinguish this GLN. 

Want to know if the US Postal Service (USPS) address is already associated with another GLN? GS1 US Data Hub will display a Potential Duplicate Location window when you click Publish. This window lists the name(s) and GLN(s) that already contain this same address.

In the Address Line 1 field, it is recommended that you enter the US Postal Service (USPS) physical mailing address. This field is required if the GLN Type is "Fixed Physical."

In the Address Line 2 field, you can enter additional details, such as a suite number, storeroom number, nursing station, floor, receiving dock number, etc. Address Line 2 data is combined with Address Line 1 when the Address displays for Location View/Use subscribers, and also GLN Lookup Tool users.

In the Address Line 3 field, you can enter additional details about this address.

View the Address Recommendations article for examples.

If your Top Level GLN address (also referred to as your "Legal Entity GLN") changes, you need to change the address in two GS1 US systems:

a. Visit the myGS1 US page, and click Manage Company Info. Enter the updated address information. Then click Save Updates.

b. Visit GS1 US Data Hub, click Top Level GLN on the main Location page (shown below). Click Edit for the Legal Entity GLN type. Change the address, then click Save.

Top Level GLN

GLN Attributes:

View the Location Attributes article, which lists the key attributes associated with entering a GLN.

The GLN Type represents what is being identified. View the GLN Type article for a list of values and definitions.

These are the transactions in which the location engages. View the Business Transactions Enabled article for a list of values and definitions.

The Corporate Relationship defines this GLN's relationship to its parent organization. This field is required if the industry is Healthcare. View the Location Attribute Definitions article for definitions of each value.

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