firstbase connects sender and receiver of product master data.
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions.
Content / Data model
Can I exchange prices with firstbase?
firstbase is the central platform for product master data. Prices and especially conditions are usually exchanged partner-dependently and bilaterally. They are not part of the data model of firstbase healthcare.
Today, I have to motivate all suppliers individually to provide us with the data according to our specifications. How can firstbase help?
One of the most convincing arguments firstbase provides you with is the "once only" principle: once in firstbase, the data can be made available to all customers (retailers, service providers, etc.). In this way, firstbase creates the ideal conditions for ensuring that your suppliers' data is correct and complete and always available to all customers. And this is independent of which format the customer prefers or where he is located - in Switzerland or worldwide via GS1 GDSN®.
The Swiss manufacturers and service providers have agreed on a data model that covers all the requirements of the participants. In this way, the manufacturer knows exactly what data is expected from him in order to fulfil the community requirements.
How is it ensured that the data supplied by the providers is correctly structured and correct overall?
firstbase works with a so-called data model. This was developed with manufacturers and service providers to cover the target market requirements in the Swiss market. It specifies the attributes, their format and value ranges, code lists, dependencies and rules. All this is checked during the transfer to firstbase so that the data in firstbase is correct and complete.
If we want to deliver to the LIR, for example, this would generally be a higher requirement than currently exists for GS1 CH. Can it be set directly in firstbase that LIR's requirements for the data content are checked by firstbase for our data content and, where necessary, what still needs to be delivered is indicated?
In addition to the data model for the Swiss healthcare system, firstbase supports numerous so-called initiatives. This means that depending on the selected target market (e.g. the Netherlands) and the initiative (e.g. LIR), other, additional attributes must be maintained. For this, too, firstbase offers corresponding data models that support the data provider in maintaining the information and ensure that the requirements of the recipients are met.
Can firstbase ensure that all new regulatory databases can be populated with firstbase?
One of the firstbase principles is "once only". Manufacturers make their product data available centrally only once and thus serve all service providers as well as all necessary regulatory databases, registers, etc., worldwide. - and that worldwide.
With firstbase, registries such as the American GUDID and the Dutch Implant Register LIR or the National Health Service NHS in the UK can be served via GS1 GDSN®. Regulatory databases such as the European database for medical devices EUDAMED or the future Swiss Database on Medical Devices swissdamed are served via so-called connectors.
These services will be expanded as needed.
Do you plan to provide master data for laboratory products & diagnostics in the future?
Yes, firstbase healthcare is designed as an industry solution for the entire Swiss healthcare system and serves not only service providers such as hospitals and clinics, but also laboratories, care facilities, etc. with all the required product master data.
Does firstbase deliver ECLASS allocation?
The Swiss healthcare industry has agreed to use ECLASS version 11.0. firstbase supports the classification and offers an intuitive selection tree for easy selection and assignment of the classification to their products during maintenance via the web UI.
Is extended information provided? e.g. medical class / IVDR class? GTIN on all packaging levels?
The data model for the Swiss healthcare system was developed and coordinated together with manufacturers and service providers. It contains all the required information, including details of the applicable legislation, risk classes, declarations of conformity or certificate details.
Each level in the hierarchy of an article (packaging, outer packaging, pallets) is identified and described with a GTIN.
Can image data also be made available with firstbase? I am thinking of online shops.
With firstbase, images can also be exchanged. Images are a key success factor in online trading: without images, the customer sees nothing.
Other digital assets such as safety data sheets, declarations of conformity, certificates, instructions for use, etc. can also be exchanged via firstbase.
GDSN
What is GDSN? Is firstbase a GDSN data pool?
With the GS1 Global Data Synchronisation Network (GDSN), product master data is exchanged globally between manufacturers/suppliers and their trading partners. The GDSN is based on GS1 standards and connects over 50 certified data pools worldwide.
Yes, firstbase is the GS1 certified GDSN data pool of GS1 Switzerland and integrated into the largest product data network in the world: GS1 GDSN®.
What is the difference between GDSN and firstbase?
firstbase is the central data exchange platform of GS1 Switzerland with value added services such as online catalogues for search & browse, connections via web services or APIs and web UI. At the same time, firstbase is the GS1 certified GDSN data pool of GS1 Switzerland and integrated into the largest product data network in the world: the GS1 Global Data Synchronisation Network - GDSN for short. Users of firstbase can thus exchange product data worldwide and benefit from the advantages of GS1 GDSN®.
Ecosystem
How can I participate as a service provider?
As a not-for-profit organisation, we strive to offer supportive services and solutions to all our members. We are committed to interoperability, digitalised simplified processes and globally recognised standards.
The offers from service providers are very diverse. We would be happy to discuss the possibilities for cooperation in a personal meeting. Please get in touch with us.
Why should I obtain the data directly from firstbase if I already use solutions from Pagero or GHX?
In addition to data "from the source", firstbase also offers an online catalogue for Search & Browse with numerous functions such as downloading selected articles or comparing articles.
firstbase supports the ecosystem in the Swiss market and has already won Pagero as a solution partner. A partnership with the service provider GHX is under discussion (update to follow). The goal is to offer the greatest possible benefit to all participants in the system.
Is there any cooperation with HCI?
The focus of firstbase healthcare is medical technology and thus the exchange of master data for medical products and medical technology. HCI, on the other hand, offers solutions especially for medication and data on medicinal products. At present, we see "delimited" areas of activity here. Of course, we are always open to future cooperation.
What is the difference between firstbase and GHX/Medical Columbus?
firstbase is a data exchange platform for product master data: according to the three principles "from the source" , "once only" and "from members for members".
Cooperation with GHX (as well as with many other partners) is being sought within the framework of the ecosystem for the Swiss healthcare system.
Who enters the data in firstbase healthcare? The Swiss authorised representative (CH-REP) or the importer?
Basically, both role holders enter the master data in firstbase. The primary identification of a product is done via the GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) or also called UDI-DI in the medical device environment. The data provider is uniquely identified via the GLN (Global Location Number).
It is therefore possible that the product master data of a product can be entered into firstbase healthcare by several economic operators. The data recipient then decides for himself from which data provider he will use the data.
Prices
I am a member of GS1 Switzerland. Is the product included in the membership?
firstbase is a solution that we offer our members as a value added service.
As a not-for-profit organisation, we strive to make the offers as attractive as possible for our members. We consider the fact that functional extensions and additional possibilities will have a pricing to be in line with the market. This is always against the background that the proceeds flow into the further development of solutions and thus benefit our members again.
Where can I find price information?
Here you will find our attractive prices:
Do I have to pay for the additional modules?
The pricing model is structured in such a way that users can put together their solution according to their needs and only have to pay for what they really need.
Technical questions
Is there a REST API interface to firstbase?
As a data supplier, you can supply and maintain your product master data via an API interface connection. Likewise, as a data recipient (trade, service provider, etc.), you can retrieve and receive product master data from firstbase via an API interface.
The most important queries to the API interface of firstbase are described in the REST API documentation.
As an Italian-speaking customer, I would like to know how do you deal with languages?
firstbase is currently available in German and English. Work is in progress to make it available in French and Italian.
Participation / Onboarding
How can I participate?
You want to exchange product master data electronically? With the central data exchange platform firstbase, we offer you the solution. Click on the "Delivery Business" or "Receive Business" package that suits you. Just a few steps will take you to your offer for firstbase.
To use firstbase, you need a GS1 Switzerland membership.
Who is already participating in firstbase?
You can find the current status of the participating companies at firstbase healthcare here
How are we supported in the rollout, i.e. the acquisition of suppliers?
We provide you with communication tools so that you can inform your suppliers in a concerted manner. Our team accompanies you and your suppliers with newsletters, webinars and information events.
Would you like individual onboarding support for your suppliers? Please contact us, we are happy to help.
Are manufacturers/suppliers actively collected by firstbase in order to enter data into firstbase? Or does the customer have to encourage the suppliers to do so?
firstbase is accompanied and supported by the steering committee consisting of the associations of medical device manufacturers (Swiss MedTech), hospitals (H+), the Foundation for the Identification of Organisations and Persons in the Swiss Healthcare System (refdata) and GS1 Switzerland.
GS1 Switzerland works closely with service providers and uses various channels to present the solution, including conferences, webinars and other events. Please contact us if you would like to give firstbase a platform for presentation.
trustbox
What is the difference between trustbox and firstbase?
trustbox was the only solution from GS1 Switzerland for the declaratory information of pre-packaged food until the beginning of 2023. It focuses on the consumer unit and offers all connected companies the possibility of electronic data exchange in standardised form.
trustbox has been migrated by GS1 Switzerland to the new firstbase technology. The web UI has a new layout and is even more intuitive to use. The general scope of services remains unchanged.
firstbase is the central data exchange platform of GS1 Switzerland, which has been live since the beginning of 2023. It includes various catalogues for the different sectors; currently "firstbase healthcare" for the healthcare sector and "firstbase consumer goods" for consumer goods / retail (FMCG), the other sectors are in planning. In addition, firstbase is the GS1 GDSN® certified data pool of GS1 Switzerland.
Contact us and we will discuss with you how you can use "firstbase consumer goods" for your business and accompany you during the changeover.
What advantages do I have as a data provider when I switch from trustbox to firstbase consumer goods?
trustbox is GS1 Switzerland's existing solution for the declaratory information of pre-packaged food. It focuses on the consumer unit and offers all connected companies the possibility of electronic data exchange in a standardised form.
firstbase consumer goods takes data exchange to the next level and brings you many advantages:
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Master data exchange based on the GS1 GDSN® standard
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for all consumer goods / FMCG: food, pet food, detergents, cleaning agents, personal care and much more.
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for the complete article hierarchy (also logistical units such as outer packaging, pallets, etc.) as well as assortments and mixed displays
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also for own brands (non-public)
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to affiliated companies and via GS1 GDSN® worldwide
Contact us and we will discuss with you how you can use firstbase consumer goods for your business and accompany you during the changeover.
What advantages do I have as a data recipient when I switch from trustbox to firstbase consumer goods?
trustbox was GS1 Switzerland's previous solution for the declaratory information of pre-packaged food. It focuses on the consumer unit and offers all connected companies the possibility of electronic data exchange in a standardised form.
firstbase consumer goods takes data exchange to the next level and brings you many advantages:
-
Master data exchange based on the GS1 GDSN® standard
-
for all consumer goods / FMCG: food, pet food, detergents, cleaning agents, personal care and much more.
-
for the complete article hierarchy (also logistical units such as outer packaging, pallets, etc.) as well as assortments and mixed displays
-
also for own brands (non-public)
-
from affiliated companies and via GS1 GDSN® from data suppliers worldwide
Contact us and we will discuss with you how you can use firstbase consumer goods for your business and accompany you during the changeover.
What happens to trustbox?
trustbox was migrated from GS1 Switzerland to the new firstbase technology. The web UI has a new layout and is even more intuitive to use. The general scope of services remains unchanged.
Will trustbox become more expensive?
No, trustbox retains the current scope of services and the attractive prices also remain unchanged.