Data Model

This section details the TIX Data Model and describes how it can be used to model traceability data.

TIX has two complementing data models. A basic EPCIS-based model and a TraceTracker model (ttData) which expands on the EPCIS model. They have different import formats but both formats are cross converted to the other on upload so all data is stored in both models. Later versions of TIX will use EPCIS as the source model with the ttData derived from it. For detailed information on the EPCIS standard, see the EPCIS Documentation.

Identifiers

Products and Objects

EPCIS model uses an Electronic Product Code (EPC) as a unique and global identifier for a physical object implemented using RFID or barcode tags. The identifier links the physical objects to the information about that object. TraceTracker ttData has a more relaxed identity term dubbed localId which may be used to identify groups of objects, e.g. end user products stemming from the same production batch that may not be uniquely identifiable. LocalId is as the name implies an internal identification scheme that is not necessarily shared outside your organization. It is possible to provide an externalId which may be identical to the localId. The externalId is external both as in shared with other parties, and as in located visibly on the physical object it represents. The typical use case is using identifiers from legacy ERP systems as localIds.

ExternalId is sometimes called a GlobalId but as it is always combined with organization identifiers it is not required to be globally unique though it is recommended that it is.

 

Organizations and Trading Parties

GTNet provides a scheme for uniquely identifying trading partners. It is a two-tiered hierarchic number where a 10 digit prefix identifies an organization and a full 16 digits identifies a sub-organization. These numbers are used to identify trading parties when objects move between parties, and to link information about an object to the party that provided it. See example ttData for usage.