U Connect Content Level Definitions

Foundational Content (101 and 201 level sessions)
The foundational content provides basic level education for those new to implementing standards of the GS1 System. There are two levels to this foundational offering, U Connect 101 and 201. Both of these levels are located in our pre-conference, day-long seminar series called U Connect 101.
U Connect 101 (answers “What is it?”): The 101 sessions provides the terms, definitions and application settings for GS1 System barcodes (GTINs/GLNs), e-Commerce (EDI and XML),global data synchronization (GDSN), and Electronic Product Code (EPC) enabled Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) used for value chain management. These sessions are developed and delivered by GS1 US staff only.
Audience	Those totally new to GS1 standards who have roles that require they understand what information is mapped to the product, what information can/should be exchanged across their organization with their internal value chain stakeholders and with their trading partners to provide visibility throughout the value chain. For example: GTIN 101
U Connect 201 (answers “How do we do it?”): The 201 sessions provides the business context for implementation of GS1 standards within a company providing roadmaps, models and business cases via breakouts and workshops to illustrate proper implementation of the standards to reap the greatest benefit. For example: GTIN Allocation Rules, Data Quality Workshop
Audience	Those responsible for implementing or managing those that implement GS1 standards for their organization.
Best Practices (301 Level Sessions)
U Connect 301 (answers “What’s the Best Way to Get the Most Value?”) The 301 sessions cover how to expand the potential of your current GS1 investment through best practices and business processes that support current industry directions and new initiatives for wide scale adoption. For example, sessions on: VICS Empty Miles and Rapid Recall Exchange.
Audience	Those who are experienced using GS1 System standards and are responsible for value chain strategy and/or directing/managing business processes within and/or across functional areas; and/or managing trading partner relations.
Advanced / Future Forward (401 level sessions)
U Connect 401 (answers “What’s Next”) These sessions cover advanced topics that are at a mastery level of GS1 standards and/or future topics that could improve your value chain operations. Sessions of this level consist of thought leadership on new trends/directions in business areas that GS1 standards play a role, delivery of research findings, and business forecasts.
Audience	Those responsible for leading strategy development/making strategic decisions, recommending and/or planning for strategic business initiatives, advising senior management, and/or analyzing business trends.