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Standards - OPIDS NOPA-BSA Office Products Industry Data Standards (OPIDS) Initiative In December 2005, NOPA and OPWA (predecessor organization for Business Solutions Association (BSA) jointly launched the OPIDS initiative. The project’s initial objective was to develop consistent industry product data identification standards that the independent channel could implement in the 2007 general office product catalogs. The initial focus has been on standardizing and maintaining standards on:
An OPIDS committee was formed in early 2006. NOPA and BSA serve as facilitators of the process. The Committee consists of senior staff of the national wholesalers and two of the buying groups (is.group and TriMega) who have in-depth product data management experience. It meets by conference call quarterly or more frequently as needed to complete an annual review of variances in the participants' MAC, SKU and UOM use at the individual product item level.
To the maximum extent possible, the Committee then works to eliminate identified variances and to maintain consistency in MAC, SKU and UOM use throughout the year. This ongoing data management and review process is supported with technical assistance from Trade Service.
Manufacturers, wholesalers and dealers are welcome to participate in the OPIDS process directly or by submitting questions and comments to NOPA or BSA. Periodically, senior management of the organizations conduct conference calls to discuss the status and progress of the OPIDS process.
Questions on OPIDS may be addressed to Chris Bates at NOPA (cbates@nopanet.org; Tel: 703/549-9040, x 100) or Cal Clemons at BSA (calc@clemonsmgmt.com).
Visit www.opids.org for more information about this project.
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