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Product Information Training & Communications

New Vendor Onboarding Guide Lowe’s Product Information

Lowe’s

New Vendor Onboarding Guide

Updated March 2016

Vendors are responsible for products, product data and media they provide. Vendors may not rely on this document for legal advice and should consult with their own counsel about legal requirements for their products.




Table of Contents

Flow Chart .................................................................................................................... 3

Checklist ...................................................................................................................... 4

Merchandising Process

Item Setup Process

Process Steps .............................................................................................................. 6

Merchandising

Product Information

Item Setup

FootPrints..................................................................................................................... 9

Accessing Portal

Creating New Request Tickets

Responding to Request Tickets via Email

Viewing and Editing Request Tickets via Portal

Solution Providers – Data Pool Vendors Only............................................................ 12

Product Content Management (PCM) – Web Vendors Only ...................................... 14

Packaging Hierarchy

Basic Information

Indicators / Identifiers

Barcodes

Additional Descriptions

Warranty and Ad Pricing

Content and Packaging

Handling and Storage

Ordering and Distribution

Product Measurement

Hazardous Information

Source Tagging

Product History

Submission and Confirmation




Flow Chart




Checklist

Vendors follow a Product Information Vendor Onboarding process in order for customers to purchase products through Lowe’s selling channels.

MERCHANDISING

A VBU (Vendor Business Unit) or Vendor Number will be assigned once these items are completed.

1. Request a Master Standard Buying Agreement (MSBA) from your merchant. Sign and return two copies by mail

2. Complete the Vendor Information Sheet (VIS), which includes Defective Return Policy, Allowances and Payment Terms. Return to your merchant via email

3. Return the signed Consignment Agreement to your merchant, if applicable, which is needed for any vendor providing consignment products

4. Review the EDI Quick Reference document to find contact information to begin implementation and testing

5. Review the Corporate Payables requirements – Electronic Data Interchange, Vendor Payment Inquiry and Store Look-Up application

ITEM SETUP PROCESS

Product Information Setup refers to Item Setup Data (barcodes, dimensions, logistical information, etc.) and Marketing Data (product data used to sell and market) which promotes the selling through Lowe’s. The following list is intended for Domestic, Data Pool Vendors.

6. Contact GS1 to obtain a GLN (Global Location Number) and barcodes and select a Solution Provider

7. Once assigned a Vendor Number (VBU), access LowesLink.com and select Getting Started from the header menu.

o Select Continue Here to obtain a username and Change My Access to access Lowe’s systems – Product Content Management and Product Information Tool Kit

8. Login to LowesLink® and navigate to Product Content Management (PCM) to activate your VBU

o Add GLN Information through Stock Registration – be sure to save

o If your brand does not already exist on the Lowe’s Controlled Brand List, create a new ticket in FootPrints to request it to be added

9. Create a new account to access FootPrints

o See FootPrints - Access

http://www.loweslink.com/llmain/pubdocuments/EDI_QUICK_REFERENCE.pdf

http://www.loweslink.com/llmain/pubdocuments/ctpVendorInformationGuide.pdf

http://www.gs1us.org/resources/standards/identification_numbers/global_location_number

http://www.loweslink.com/


http://www.loweslink.com/llmain/pubdocuments/pcmHowtoAddUpdateBrandName.pdf




10. Login to LowesLink® and navigate to Product Information Tool Kit and download PI Builder

o The PI Builder is used to submit your item setup and marketing data to Product Information

11. Build and complete the file, and Upload Digital Asset files to PCM

12. Complete and publish item information (GDSN) through your Solution Provider

13. Submit the completed PI Builder file to Product Information via FootPrints, directing it to the appropriate Merchandising Division and Subdivision

14. Product Information will subscribe to the GTINs.

If Then

Failed validations you will be contacted to review and correct (review your PCM Notifications tab for GTIN failures)

No validation failures the GTINs will go into PCM for approval

15. If you have hazardous products, review your PCM Notifications tab for any requests labeled Hazardous Materials Information Request.

o Open and complete the Hazardous Material Safety Data Sheet Template linked within the notification and mail it to the address provided

16. Product Information will contact you if there are any issues with the marketing data and/or images and PDFs

17. Barring any issues with publication, the GTINs are synchronized and Product Information uploads the marketing data to PCM


http://www.loweslink.com/llmain/pubdocuments/pcmRecommendedSolutionProviders.pdf




Process Steps

Vendors follow a Product Information Vendor Onboarding process in order for customers to purchase products through Lowe’s selling channels.

MERCHANDISING

FIRST STEPS

Contact your Lowe’s Merchandising team to request a Master Standard Buying Agreement (MSBA) Provide the company name, state of incorporation and the authorized signer of the

document NOTE: Selling a licensed product through Lowe’s will need to be documented.

Sign MSBA and Return two original copies to Merchandising team by mail All MSBA questions should be submitted to Merchandising team

Complete and Email the Vendor Information Sheet (VIS) to Merchandising team

If applicable, Sign and Email Consignment Agreement to Merchandising team

Review the EDI Quick Reference document to begin implementation and testing

Review the Corporate Payables document for requirements

LAST STEPS

Review the Product Returns and Buybacks document

Review the Lowe’s Partnership Manual and the Logistics Vendor Requirements

Contact your Vendor Supply Chain Specialist (VSCS) with questions

Schedule time with your VSCS to

Review Lowe's Logistics Requirements

Visit Distribution Centers (FDC/RDC), if applicable

Contact Vendor Dart team at [email protected] for access to Point of Sale data

NOTE: All documents can be found on LowesLink.com

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Obtain a GS1 Company Prefix (GLN) and support from http://www.gs1us.org/get-started

There are two major vendor types

If Then

Data Pool Vendor Product data is shared electronically with Lowe’s and other retailers through the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN)

This is preferred and ideal for vendors supplying data to more than one retailer in GDSN, and/or vendors supplying multiple products to Lowe’s

Select a Solution Provider from the linked list

Web Vendor Product data is manually entered into Lowe’s Product Content Management (PCM) application for Lowe’s use only

This is an acceptable approach for small suppliers providing very few products (10 or less) exclusively to Lowe’s

See PCM Overview for Web Vendors for support

NOTE: Request Web Vendor status via [email protected]

http://www.loweslink.com/llmain/pubdocuments/EDI_QUICK_REFERENCE.pdf

http://www.loweslink.com/llmain/pubdocuments/ctpVendorInformationGuide.pdf

http://www.loweslink.com/llmain/LowesPartnershipManual.htm

https://ww3.loweslink.com/llmain/quality_assurance/privdocuments/vcLogisticsRequirementsReview.pdf

http://www.loweslink.com/llmain/pubdocuments/Distribution_Center_Information.pdf

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.gs1us.org/get-started





Access the LowesLink® website at www.loweslink.com Confirm your PC meets the System Requirements by selecting link provided Select Register Here in the LowesLink® Getting Started area Select Continue Here to initiate the setup process Enter your Lowe’s assigned vendor number (VBU) to obtain your username and password Verify access to Product Content Management (PCM) and Product Information Tool Kit

applications on home page o If inaccessible, Select Change My Access and Choose those two Applications

Access PCM to activate your vendor number in the system Select Stock Registration Select GLN Information Add the GLN in the field for the Home Office Location Select Add then Save

Ensure your brand name is listed on the Lowe’s Controlled Brand List Login to PCM; Select View Reports; Select Lowe’s Master Brand Report If not listed, Select How to Add or Update a Brand Name for support and instruction

Access the FootPrints website at https://lowespcm.nfpondemand.com Select Create a new account; Enter New User Registration information See FootPrints - Access for support and instruction

ITEM SETUP PROCESS

Product Information Setup refers to Item Setup Data (barcodes, dimensions, logistical information, etc.) and Marketing Data (product data used to sell and market) which promotes the selling through Lowe’s.

Access the LowesLink® website at www.loweslink.com

Select the Product Information Tool Kit application

Download and Save As the PI Builder Phase 5 to your desktop each time you are creating/updating

Utilize the PI Builder Quick Reference Guide for support

Create the PI Builder based on the product category of items sold by Lowe’s

Choose the correct Item Type

o Stock Items are products that are physically stocked in a store

o Special Order Sales (SOS) are products that are not physically stocked in a store

NOTE: All red subject fields are required to be completed.

Complete the Marketing Data Spreadsheet (MDS) for any new items o Reference the Lowe’s Marketing Data & Image Standards for support

Ensure Contact Information is complete and accurate

Access PCM to Upload Digital Assets prior to submitting your PI Builder file Digital Asset file names (ImageName.jpg) must match exactly what you enter on MDS Select Mandatory Validation Checker to correct any data quality issues in the PI Builder


http://www.loweslink.com/systemrequirements.htm

http://www.loweslink.com/llmain/pubdocuments/pcmHowtoAddUpdateBrandName.pdf

https://lowespcm.nfpondemand.com/


https://secure.loweslink.com/llmain/product_information/privdocuments/PI_Builder_Quick_Reference_Guide.pdf

http://www.loweslink.com/pubdocuments/pcmMarketingDataStandardsGuide.pdf




Once PI Builder is complete (a green validation box is present on each tab) a Vendor will

If Then

Data Pool Vendor Ensure images in the MDS are loaded into PCM via Upload Digital Assets

Publish GTINs with their Solution Provider

Request a Publication Report from the Solution Provider

Copy and Paste the Publication Report to the Pub Report tab in the PI Builder

Web Vendor Ensure images in the MDS are loaded into PCM via Upload Digital Assets

Access FootPrints website at http://lowespcm.nfpondemand.com

If Lowe’s has Then

Not requested the data through a FootPrints ticket

Submit a new ticket

Select FootPrints – Creating for support and information

Requested the data through a FootPrints ticket

Respond to the existing ticket and attach the file

Select FootPrints – Responding for support and information

Product Information will partner with Merchandising to complete item setup once the PI Builder has been sent via FootPrints

If Then

Data Pool Vendor Check with your Solution Provider to ensure items are accepted by the Lowe’s system

If item(s) fails validation, Correct the data and Resubmit

Web Vendor Check your WorkList Task (WLT) in PCM daily during the item set-up process

Once item(s) appear in your WLT, Enter all the required GTIN information in PCM and Submit

Select PCM Overview for Web Vendors for support and information

http://lowespcm.nfpondemand.com/




FootPrints

The Product Information Support Portal (FootPrints) is a system designed to house requests, track each ticket and send out confirmation emails to everybody attached to the ticket.

ACCESSING PORTAL

Step Action / Screen

Go the Product Information Support Portal webpage - http://lowespcm.nfpondemand.com

If Then

You are a New User

Select Create a new account to register

You are a returning user Enter you User Name and Password

If you are a New User, Complete all New User Registration fields to generate a User ID and Password.

CREATING NEW REQUEST TICKETS

Fields in red are required to complete before saving and routing the ticket request.


Select New Request

Complete the Subject field and Priority level

If you are requesting Then Subject field is

New Item Setup CIS_VBU-Vendor Name_Product Category

Example: CIS_12345-Clarity_Front Load Dryer

Marketing Updates MKT_VBU-Vendor Name_Product Category

Example: MKT_23456-ATK_Hammer







Complete the Inquiry Information section by selecting the appropriate Division

Complete the Inquiry Information section by selecting the appropriate Subdivision

Select appropriate Issue Type

Select Inquiry Code, as necessary

Complete Description section with enough details for those involved to understand your request

Select SAVE to:

Create the ticket

Send a confirmation email to current Contact

Send a notification email to the Product Information assignee




RESPONDING TO REQUEST TICKETS VIA EMAIL

Once you have submitted your request ticket for New Item Setup and your Builder is approved, the Item Setup Specialist will make the Merchandise Specialist (MS) the Contact. As the Vendor, you will be Cc’d on all further communication as he or she works on the request.


Type a response to a Cc’d email above the line indicated in email.

NOTE: Any additions to the text below the indicated line will not be visible to those involved.

VIEWING AND EDITING TICKETS VIA PORTAL

Prior to submitting your Builder file FootPrints request ticket, there are three options to view tickets.


Option 1:

Select Description for a quick pop-up view.

Select Previous or Next to view other tickets.

NOTE: You cannot edit a ticket in this view.

Option 2:

Select Details to view and edit the trail of a ticket.

Select Edit to reply to a ticket, add attachments, or update information.

Option 3:

Select Edit to reply to a ticket, add attachments, or update information.

Select Save (for all options) when you are finished editing to reroute the ticket.




Solution Providers – Data Pool Vendors Only

These Solution Providers/third parties were evaluated based on their technical capabilities, customer service and data performance.

Select a Data Pool and register with GS1 (www.gs1.org). Lowe’s preferred GDSN Data Pool is 1WORLDSYNC (www.1WORLDSYNC.org).

HOSTED SOLUTION PROVIDERS

1WORLDSYNC IM

FSEnet

IDEA

BEHIND THE FIREWALL PROVIDERS

Lansa

NuBridges

Solution Provider Telephone Number Web site

1WORLDSYNC* 1.866.280.4013, Option 2 1.937.610.4223

http://www.1worldsync.com/web/us

GS1 Canada* 1.800.567.7084 ext. 3 http://www.gs1ca.org/home.asp

Aligntrac 1.888.458.4988 http://www.aligntrac.com/ns/index.php

AMECE (Mexico) http://www.amece.org.mx/amece/

Commport 1.800.565.2666 1.905.727.6782

http://www.commport.com/

Edgenet-Big Hammer 1.877.EDGENET 1.877.334.3638

http://www.edgenet.com/

FSEnet* 1.617.340.2548 http://www.fsenet.com/

FSEnet Canada 1.613.401.0120 http://www.fsenet.com/

IBM, formerly Sterling Commerce

1.800.876.9772 1.614.793.7000

http://www.sterlingcommerce.com/

Idea* 1.703.562.4600 http://www.idea-esolutions.com/

Liaison 1.866.336.7378 1.770.642.5000

http://www.liaison.com/

NuBridges 1.800.251.4930 1.770.829.2400

http://www.nubridges.com/

Rippe & Kingston 1.877.751.7962 1.513.241.1375

http://www.rippe.com/

SA2 Worldsync 1.307.731.8514 http://www.sa2worldsync.com/

www.gs1.org

www.1WORLDSYNC.org

http://www.1worldsync.org/

http://www.fsenet.com/

http://www.idea-esolutions.com/

http://www.lansa.com/


http://www.1worldsync.com/web/us

http://www.gs1ca.org/home.asp

http://www.aligntrac.com/ns/index.php

http://www.amece.org.mx/amece/

http://www.commport.com/

http://www.edgenet.com/



http://www.sterlingcommerce.com/

http://www.idea-esolutions.com/

http://www.liaison.com/


http://www.rippe.com/

http://www.sa2worldsync.com/




At the request of our vendor community, below is a list of third party companies that provide data management and processing services on top of general publication needs.

Third Party Telephone Number Web site/Email

Data Sync Services 440.570.2983 www.DataSyncService.com

FSEnet 613.401.0120 [email protected]

InStock Retail Companies 615.790.2934 Ext. 205 [email protected]

Smart Marketing 949.887.8319 [email protected]

Vendor Team Services 704.799.1229 [email protected]

http://www.datasyncservice.com/








Product Content Management (PCM) – Web Vendors Only

The Product Content Management (PCM) application is Lowe’s internal management of the data synchronization process of Vendor items which feeds directly into Lowe’s Mainframe.

Before beginning work in the Product Content Management (PCM) system, the Vendor needs to send a completed PI Builder File to Product Information via FootPrints. The PI Specialist will then create a subscription for the highest-level barcode.

The Vendor will log into PCM to complete the GDSN data

The Vendor selects the barcode in the Vendor (GTIN) Data column of the WorkList and completes all the required pages listed

PCM NAVIGATION TIPS

To move from page to page, select Next

For additional information on each attribute, select the attribute itself. o A yellow help box will explain the attribute

Remember to Save your work frequently

Once you have completed all listed screens, Submit and Confirm your work.

STEPS FOR A WEB VENDOR ON PCM

The purpose of this section is to provide steps for a Web Vendor to upload Vendor Data to the Product Content Management (PCM) system

1. Packaging Hierarchy 2. Basic Information 3. Indicators / Identifiers 4. Barcodes 5. Additional Descriptions 6. Warranty and Ad Pricing 7. Content and Packaging 8. Handling and Storage 9. Ordering and Distribution 10. Product Measurement 11. Hazardous Information 12. Source Tagging 13. Product History 14. Submission and Confirmation

https://lowespcm.nfpondemand.com/




PACKAGING HIERARCHY


1. Enter the quantity of the packaging level

2. Select the appropriate Packaging Level (Each, Inner Pack, Case or Pallet) using the drop-down

3. Select Update Packaging Level

4. When entering your Each UPC barcode, check the box to select the Vendor Consumer Unit

NOTE: Your each-level barcode should always be an EAN/UCC 12 or 13-digit barcode

5. Enter 1 for quantity, then select Add Packaging Level

BASIC INFORMATION


1. Enter the Vendor Description for the model that is used by your company

2. Enter the Vendor Model Number for this product

3. Enter the GTLN Effective Date (current or future date, if the product is not available yet)

https://secure.loweslink.com/llmain/product_information/privdocuments/pcmHierarchyLevelsandBarcodes.pdf




INDICATORS / IDENTIFIERS


1. Select Yes on Base Unit at the UPC levels; No for all others

2. Select Yes on Contains Wood if the product is made with wood; No for all other materials

3. Select Yes on Available for Direct Consumer Delivery if product is shipped to customer’s home; No if you will only ship to Lowe’s

4. Select Yes on Available for Special Order if product is available for Special Order Sales (SOS); No if it is not

5. Select Yes on Orderable Unit if this is the level Lowe’s will order the product from; No if it is not

6. Select Yes on Variable Unit if your quantity will be shipped at a at a different quantity each time (i.e. A roll of carpet may be 100 square feet when first shipped, and 110 sq. ft. the next.); No if the quantity or length will be the same each time shipped

7. Select Yes on Invoice Unit if this packaging level will appear on your invoice to Lowe’s; No if it is not

8. Select Yes on Dispatch Unit if packaging level is the shipping level (i.e. if you ship from two different packaging levels, you will say yes to both.); No if it is not

9. Select Yes on Bulk Indicator if this item is sold by the linear foot; No if it is sold by the piece





10. Select Yes on Recall Indicator if this item has been recalled in past; No if this item has never been recalled

11. Select how you want returned goods handled from the Suggested Return Policy drop-down

12. Select Yes on US Patent if product has a United States patent; No if this product does not

13. Select the correct Environmental Identifier from the drop-down

14. Select Add Selection(s)

BARCODES


Enter your UCC Manufacturer’s ID.

If you do not have an UCC Manufacturer’s ID, check the Unassigned box

ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTIONS


1. Select your Brand Name from the drop-down. If you do not have a brand name, select Unbranded.

NOTE: Select here for instructions on how to add your brand name to the Lowe’s Controlled Band List.

2. Enter your Extended Product Description, if your product is branded, as you want it to appear to the industry.

https://ww3.loweslink.com/llmain/product_information/privdocuments/pcmAddorUpdateBrandName.pdf




WARRANTY AND AD PRICING

There are no mandatory fields on this page. Complete fields as needed.

CONTENT AND PACKAGING


1. Enter the Net Content quantity for the packing level (each, inner pack, case or pallet) you are working on (i.e. A case level containing two 24-packs has a net content of 48)

2. Select the correct Net Content Unit of Measure from the drop-down (i.e., fluid ounce is a Net Content Unit of Measure for the each level. The case or pallet Net Content Unit of Measure is each)

3. Select the correct Selling Unit of Measure from the drop-down (i.e. pack is a selling unit of measure)

4. Select the correct Package Material from the drop-down (i.e., plastic)

5. Select the correct Packaging Type from the drop-down (i.e., stretch wrap)

HANDLING AND STORAGE

There are no mandatory fields on this page. Complete fields as needed.




ORDERING AND DISTRIBUTION


1. Enter Order Quantities for Stock or Special order types a. Minimum: Lowest number

quantity allowed for Lowe’s order

b. Multiple: Number that is divisible by the minimum (i.e. If minimum is 20 then the multiple could be 2, 5 or 10)

c. Lead Time: Amount of time (in days) it will take to get the order to Lowe’s

2. Select the Order Unit of Measure used for ordering the item.

3. Enter the Truck Load Quantity as the number of items needed for a full vehicle load

4. Enter Total Quantity of Layer per Trade Item as the number of layers a pallet contains (Only required for pallet GTINs)

5. Enter Total Quantity of Trade Items per Layer as the number of each’s per layer for a case or pallet

6. Select the Import Classification Type from the drop-down if an item is shipped from outside of the United States

7. Select the Country of Origin from the drop-down where the goods have been produced or manufactured Select Add Selection(s)

8. Enter the Vendor Harmonized Tariff ID when an item is produced or manufactured in a country other than the United States

9. Select Add to List for import items.

NOTE: Fields marked with a red asterisk are required to complete.




PRODUCT MEASUREMENT


1. Enter In-box data fields: a. In-box Height (Inches):

Vertical dimension from lowest extremity to the highest extremity

b. In-box Width (Inches): Dimension from left to right

c. In-box Depth (Inches): Measurement from the front to the back of the trade item

2. Gross Weight (lbs.): Weight of the product including all packaging materials

3. Net Weight (lbs.): Weight of the product excluding all packaging materials

NOTE: Fields marked with a red asterisk are required to complete.

HAZARDOUS INFORMATION


1. Select the best Hazardous Material Identifier from the drop-down

2. Enter the DOT Dangerous Goods Number if the Hazardous Material Identifier is set to anything other than No




SOURCE TAGGING


1. Select Yes on Source Tag Indicator if your product contains a security tag; No if your product does not.

2. Select the Source Tag Location (if applicable) from the drop-down

3. Select Source Tag Type Acousto Magnetice Eas from drop-down

4. Enter the Commit Date of when the vendor signed the source tag commitment form.

PRODUCT HISTORY


Enter the Availability Start Date when the product can be first ordered from the buyer

SUBMISSION AND CONFIRMATION

Once you have completed the Product History screen and are ready to submit your work.

Select Submit at the top of the screen.

The next screen will ask you to Confirm that you are submitting your data

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