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"I can think of no other single action that will provide such broad sweeping benefits in cutting costs, improving effeciencies, and increasing the accuracy of inventory management and sales tracking of Christian Music. In our technology strategies study, Christian retailers ranked switching to the UPC numbering standard as their #1 priority -- by a commanding 91 percent. The time is right for everyone -- Christian retailers, distributors, and music companies -- to cooperate together and make UPC our standard."
Bill Anderson, CBA President & CEO

"Universal Product Code [UPC] is an important key that will open the door to increased sales of music. A common product numbering system will lead to increased sales and better inventory management by allowing suppliers and retailers to communicate more effectively. Establishing this standard will be an important step in building a state-of-the-art retail industry. On behalf of the Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA), I wholeheartedly endorse this effort and regard it as one of the most important developements in the history of Christian retailing."
Frank Breeden, President CMTA/GMA

1. IT'S TIME -- ONE PRODUCT NUMBER FOR RECORDED MUSIC AND VIDEO WILL PREPARE OUR INDUSTRY FOR FURTHER AUTOMATION AND EFFICIENCIES.

What are we doing & why?

Standardizing UPC numbers for recorded music and music video product in all inter-business transactions including EDI, invoicing, packing slips, and SoundScan reporting will increase accuracy, simplify ordering across all suppliers and wholesalers and reduce programming and administrative costs.

2. IT'S TIME -- WE MUST ACT NOW!

July 1, 2000-November 1, 2000
POS suppliers convert retail databases to UPC.

November 1, 2000
Music suppliers and distributors discontinue assigning SPCN or any other number for new releases.

January 1, 2001
Music suppliers and distributors discontinue use of SPCN or other numbers in all public transactions (EDI, invoicing, packing slips, etc.)

3. IT'S TIME -- HASSLE FREE AND COST FREE FOR RETAILERS

What do retailers need to do?

Contact to your POS supplier for UPC conversion details. The Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA) has cooperated with IBID, IRT, and Bookstore Manager to prepare their systems to offer simple, cost-free conversion options for their retail customers.

UPC STANDARDIZATION HAS THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE CHRISTIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY, P.O.S. VENDORS, WHOLESALERS/DISTRIBUTORS, CBA AND CHRISTIAN RETAILERS.

UPC Standardization is supported by these CMTA member companies:

• Atlantic Records
• B-Rite Music
• CCM Communications
• Curb Records
• Daywind Music Group
• EMI Christian Music Group/Chordant Distribution
• Integrity Music
• Pamplin Music Group/Pamplin Distribution
• Provident Music Group/Provident Distribution
• Spring Arbor Distributors
• Word Entertainment/Word Distribution

UPC Standardization is supported by these wholesalers/distributors:

• Anchor
• Appalachian
• Central South
• New Day
• Riverside
• Spring Arbor

"The IBID System has supported full UPC for some time now, and we believe that this industry wide push for UPC standardization is of great benefit to the Christian retailer."
Richard Sloan, IBID

"In conjunction with the CMTA, IRT has completed software enhancements to the IRT POS system, Information Partner, that will enable complete standardization around the UPC for identifying product. We see this standardization as a necessary condition for CBA retailers to complete in the Christian music marketplace. The old proprietary SPCN numbers that tended to isolate the industry, are going away, and to effectively compete the CBA retailer must make the transition to the standard UPC format."
Dave Walton, IRT

"We at BSMGR are very excited about the UPC standardization taking place in our industry. We believe this will prove to be of great benefit to both the store and the supplier. BSMGR is fully UPC compatible. For any of our stores who have missing UPC numbers in their inventories, we have written software that will populate their inventories with those numbers using the Christian Books & More database. For complete information, visit our website at http://help.bsmgr.com."
Randy Voorhees, Bookstore Manager

"Standardization brings increased efficiencies. These new efficiencies all equate to savings, increased sales and increased profitability. Our industry needs to work together to make these standards a reality. In a world where the store's inventory control system, the in-store music listening systems, the music companies' order entry systems, the distributor's order entry systems, and the industry reporting agencies all communicate in harmony, the benefits are great."
Keith Duff, Lemstone Books

"Parable salutes and supports the CMTA campaign to standardize UPCs. Intelligent decisions depend on accurate information and accurate information requires a consistent product numbering system. Accurate information about inventory and consumers is vital to our success in today's information-driven economy. The entire industry will benefit from standardization."
Steve Potratz, The Parable Group