On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Reed Tech and 1WorldSync hosted a highly informative webinar led by Gary Saner, Senior Regulatory Principal at LexisNexis Reed Tech, and Scott Brown, Senior Director of Global Data Strategy at 1WorldSync. The webinar focused on how their continued alliance helps companies navigate Unique Device Identification (UDI) management and utilize the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) to meet regulatory compliance and trading partner requirements.
Why the Webinar?
The alliance between Reed Tech and 1WorldSync strengthens their ability to support companies in the life sciences and healthcare sectors with product data management. Both organizations have deep expertise in their fields— Reed Tech in medical device UDI compliance and 1WorldSync in product content sharing through GDSN. This strategic alliance addresses the growing need for regulatory compliance while ensuring seamless data sharing across global markets.
Meet the Hosts
Scott Brown, Senior Director of Global Data Strategy at 1WorldSync, brings extensive experience in data governance, supply chain strategies and community management. His role focuses on enabling better commerce practices through accurate and synchronized product content.
Gary Saner, a Senior Regulatory Principal at Reed Tech, is an expert in regulatory compliance, including UDI for medical devices. His work involves structured content reporting to regulatory agencies, helping companies comply with health authority requirements.
Key Takeaways from the Webinar
LexisNexis Reed Tech Expertise in Regulatory Compliance
Gary Saner discussed the role of Reed Tech in helping life sciences companies meet compliance requirements. With more than 20 years of experience, Reed Tech specializes in submitting UDI data to health authorities, such as the FDA’s GUDID database, where they have successfully submitted one-third of all electronic records.
Reed Tech supports over 450 medical device manufacturers, helping them:
- Meet global compliance standards
- Save on development and data management costs
- Ensure reliable, risk-free submission processes through our SaaS platform
Overview of 1WorldSync’s Role in Global Data Synchronization
Scott Brown explained that 1WorldSync is the largest global platform for orchestrating product content. They assist a wide range of stakeholders—suppliers, manufacturers, hospitals, clinics and retailers—by enabling them to share detailed product information. This data is essential for improving commerce processes like ordering, shipping and invoicing.
1WorldSync handles three main types of product data:
- Supply Chain Information: Case details, weights, dimensions and product life cycles
- Packaging Hierarchy: Ensuring accurate inventory and shipping processes
- User-Facing Content: Tailored information for clinicians (e.g., allergens, dosages) and retail consumers (e.g., product details available online)
Their vast network and over 20 years of experience make them the go-to company for ensuring products move through the supply chain efficiently.
UDI and GDSN: A Winning Combination
Gary emphasized the importance of UDI in providing precise product identification, a process that began with the FDA in 2013 and has since been adopted worldwide. UDI is critical for regulatory submissions, but once distribution starts, companies also need to communicate detailed product information to customers and partners. This is where GDSN comes into play.
By leveraging the Global Data Synchronization Network, companies can share additional product attributes—like weights, dimensions and packaging information—with retailers, hospitals and distributors. This data extends beyond what is required for regulatory compliance, making it easier for trading partners to manage product information.
The Reed Tech and 1WorldSync Alliance
One of the highlights of the webinar was the discussion on how Reed Tech and 1WorldSync collaborate to streamline UDI data flows. Their machine-to-machine integration allows Reed Tech to transfer data directly into 1WorldSync’s GDSN platform. This partnership helps companies ensure that UDI data reaches health authorities and trading partners efficiently, minimizing the risk of non-compliance or delays.
Scott Brown concluded by discussing their strengthened agreement, which ensures that both companies continue to offer complementary solutions to meet the evolving needs of the life sciences industry. As companies need to submit UDI data to regulatory authorities and share detailed product information with downstream customers, the Reed Tech and 1WorldSync alliance offers a seamless, future-proof solution.
Final Thoughts
This webinar, presented by Reed Tech and 1WorldSync, provided valuable insights into how companies can manage UDI and GDSN data to stay compliant while enhancing their product data strategies. As regulatory requirements continue to evolve, the partnership between these two companies ensures that businesses can stay ahead of the curve, managing compliance and operational efficiency.
Working with Reed Tech and 1WorldSync offers cost-effective, reliable solutions for navigating the complex world of product data management.