Overview

S’nL is the industry XML standard for efficient communications among those providing delivery instructions, transportation planning, and distribution services for shipment of printed product.

S’nL is a dynamic planning tool for shipping and logistics. It enables greater efficiency in transportation by providing information in a form that can be readily integrated into the transportation planning process. S’nL links together the production of the printed product and it’s destination in the time-sensitive fashion that publishing and consumer presentation requires. S’nL provides identification of consolidations by packages and gives the shipper detailed direction for automated or manual pallet loading, with unprecedented assurance of accuracy

Non-mail delivery represents nearly half of the output of print manufacturing facilities. Now, there is a systematic electronic file or format standard within the industry to address the unique attributes of these print products

Background

A community of publishers, printers and related industries that address the entire content delivery supply chain joined together in 2003 to develop Version 1.00 of the Shipment and Logistics Specification (SnL).  Version 1.00 provides support for the logistics aspects of newspaper inserts with messages that support distribution commitments, shipment planning, shipment notification, and goods receipt.

In announcing the release of the specification, Brad Nathan, Chair of the Working Group stated, “A group of hard charging individuals from across the industry supported the development of this specification. The efficiencies gained from the application of XML technology to our supply chain will enhance workflow and communications.”

Goals

The goal of SnL was to develop common electronic document formats for newspaper insert shipment planning and logistics that are designed to facilitate the flow of electronic information between content owners, printers, distribution companies, and end users with XML as the enabling technology.

Other goals of SnL include:

• Increasing efficiencies in transaction and marketplace activities
• Through documented business processes
• Through consistent data definitions
• Ensuring that the standards are interoperable
• Between all trading partners
• Guidelines for interoperability at the data and transport level facilitate set-up and on-going collaboration
• To provide standards that are open and freely available

Working Group Members

The specification was developed with industry representatives across all parts of the newspaper insert supply chain under the leadership of Chair Brad Nathan, President, Quebecor World Logistics and Vice-Chair Pete Deubler, Kohl’s Department Stores.  Others participating in the effort included Phil Thompson, QuadGraphics; Dave Gusse, Newspaper Services of America; Daniel J. Minnick, Experian Marketing Services; Angelo Anagnostopoulos, RR Donnelley; Matthew Herman, Int’l Periodicals Distributors Association; Brad Nathan, Quebecor World and Dave Tanis, ALG Direct.