Our people
In just the seven years since its inception, the Professional Services Team continues to grow from strength to strength.
The team members' backgrounds encompass international experience with manufacturers, standards development bodies, other GS1 Member Organisations, distribution companies, telecommunications companies, eCommerce service providers and consulting companies - some have previously run their own consultancies.
The delivery team consists of Senior Advisors and Advisors. The primary focus of these roles is to manage the delivery of consulting projects, including the development of recommendations and advice, preparation of project plans and reports, business analysis, and delivery of training courses for GS1 Australia's Members.
GS1 Australia's experienced consultants offer services such as:
- Project planning
- Training
- Data analysis
- Business process mapping
- Development of functional requirements specifications
- Systems integration (not programming)
- Data cleansing
- Change management
- Testing
- Overall project management
Professional Services Staff
- John Hearn - General Manager - GS1 Services Group
- Richard O'Brien - Professional Services Manager
- Paul Hackett - Senior Advisor
- Georgia Blomberg - Senior Advisor
- Earl Lappen - Senior Advisor
- Murray Robb - Senior Advisor
- Brendon Johnson - Senior Advisor
- Ramesh Rayer - Advisor
Team profiles
John Hearn
General Manager - GS1 Services Group
John Hearn has a background in Retail Sales Management, Chartered Accounting, Auditing, Account Management, Business Development, and Technical advisory and consulting roles, enabling him to bring a broad range of skills to the GS1 Professional Services.
John joined GS1 Australia in 1997, as an Advisor, responsible for assisting companies in their implementation of the EAN•UCC System (now known as the GS1 System). In this role John provided technical and consultative advice to GS1 Australia members in a range of industries.
John was given full responsibility for both the operation and development of EANnet® in early 1999; during this time he project managed the complete re-design and re-build of EANnet. In late 2000 John chaired the EANnet Grocery Industry Pilot group, which and oversaw the successful launch of EANnet V2 in April 2001.
Between 2002 and 2006 John, together with his Professional Services colleagues, was responsible for the development of the Professional Services team at GS1, and oversaw a tremendous growth in the use of GS1s Professional Services as a way for members to successfully implement auto data capture, eMessaging and data synchronisation.
From late 2006 until recently John was responsible for the Industry Management and Corporate Account functions, a role heavily focused on implementing the GS1 standards and services within existing and newly engaged Industry Verticals.
From October 2008 John assumed the new role of General Manager GS1 Services Group, with overall operational responsibility for all GS1 Australia's services including Barcode Testing, GS1 Accreditation, GS1net™, Professional Services, the Community Management Tool, GS1's Training programmes and the GS1 Supply Chain Knowledge Centre.
Richard O'Brien
Professional Services Manager
Richard O'Brien was appointed to the role of Professional Services Manager in February 2011.
Richard brings to GS1 Australia a wealth of B2B eCommerce and supplychain experience in the FMCG sector gained from working with a range of organisations and varying roles including - as a consultant with a major global B2B eCommerce service provider, eBusiness Manager with a major Australian food manufacturer, and more recently through operating his own eBusiness consultancy and as Professional Services Manager at TEAM Computing.
The primary focus of Richard and the Professional Services team is providing value to members by helping them to realise the full benefits of the GS1 System though its effective implementation and use. “ We don't want members to implement the system purely because they've been told to, we want them to understand and fully realise the significant opportunities and benefits the GS1 System can provide; and with a team of professionals comprising significant GS1 and industry experience, there is no better equipped team and organisation”
Paul Hackett, has been with GS1 just over 6 years. He is a supply chain/logistics and retail industry veteran, after 31 years with Coles Myer Ltd.
Prior to joining GS1, Paul was General Manager B2B e commerce at Coles Myer, responsible for CML’s B2B strategy, infrastucture development and support, and supplier implementation and support. Paul also represented Coles Myer on the board of GS1 Australia and GlobalnetXchange (an ecommerce company) based in San Francisco.
Paul has a reputation as an acknowledged Industry expert on Retail technology, POS systems and scanning technology and implementation, Numbering and Barcoding, Electronic Shelf Labels and Retail applications. Supply Chain/Logistics technology, B2B e commerce, EDI, B2B Exchanges, Procurement applications, Warehouse and distribution management systems and BPR (Business Process Re engineering).
Paul was instrumental in the design and development of the EANway, process, EANnet the online catalogue for the Australian Grocery Industry, and CMT (the GS1 Community Management Tool) and the Australia Grocery Industry Guidelines for Non Retail Items, and the development of the RCTI - Recipient created tax invoice as a replacement where partners trade using Evaluated receipts (ERS) or Procure to Pay (P2P) processes.
Paul is a member of the Australia management committee of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSMP) and a member of the Supply chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA). Paul currently sits on a number of Industry, Government advisory groups involved with Supply Chain Logistics and Education. These include: the Victorian Government Partner Reference Group for Education and Training in Transport, stribution and Logistics; and the Australian Logistics Council’s Education and Training committee the Supply Chain Learning Network (SCLN) a consortium of tertiary institutions and parties involved in Supply Chain training.
Georgia Blomberg
Senior Advisor
Georgia has almost eighteen years experience in standards related supply chain and eCommerce design and implementation and an impressive list of career achievements across multiple industry sectors, including the inaugural GS1 Champion Award for consistent outstanding performance and client satisfaction. Her professional strengths lie in her thoroughness, technical knowledge around supply chain standards and exceptional communications skills.
As a GS1 Professional Services Senior Advisor, Georgia works at both the detailed technical level on supply chain standards compliance in the business context, as well as conducting scoping studies, supply chain process analysis and project management. Georgia exudes client confidence-building rigor and reliably delivers projects for clients. Georgia has had much repeat business with her clients with whom she enjoys very good relations.
Georgia has been part of the Australian contingent at many international standards working meetings, to develop the global B2B emessaging standards for EDI and ensure Australia’s submissions are well represented.
Georgia believes that doing business in a carbon constrained world will become one of the greatest challenges and opportunities presented to business. As a key enabler of supply chain efficiency and flexibility, Georgia is working to ensure the GS1 System and GS1 Australia is best positioned to assist members in this new paradigm.
Georgia’s professional life began with the EDI Council of Australia (EDICA) in 1990 where she worked with multiple vertical industries such as retail, hardware, pharmaceuticals, packaging, agribusiness, automotive original equipment and aftermarket, metals, and banking, as well as functional groups such as EPAS (Electronic Procurement and Supply) chaired by Blackwoods. Companies active in the industry groups with whom Georgia has worked with on process modelling and B2B messaging.
Over the past ten years Georgia’s skill set has broadened to encompass the international transport sectors such as shipping, air and road and rail.
| Selected Project Achievements | |
| Client | Project Description |
| Department of Health and Aging (DOHA) | Development of the Australian Catalogue Of Medicines. |
| Confectionery Manufacturer | Project Management of the migration from EANnet to GS1net. |
| Utility Supplier | Planning and execution of a pilot that demonstrated the track and trace processes for items through the use of the GS1 standards and Automatic Data Capture technologies. This project will enable the organization to efficiently and effectively meet the inventory management needs for other strategic projects. |
| Confectionery Manufacturer | Involved the review and reporting of eMessaging options and analysis of client capabilities and requirements in the area of eMessaging. This will assist to identify the most appropriate approach fro the implementation of eMessaging. |
Earl LappenEarl Lappen joined the Professional Services team in December 2004. He has over twenty years business and IT experience drawn from a diverse range of senior business and strategic IT management roles.
In his role as Senior Advisor, Earl has delivered multiple successful GS1net Implementation projects, GS1net Education and Training Sessions and eCommerce projects across various industries including: Healthcare, Grocery and Retail and the Public Sector.
Additionally Earl has evaluated, specified and developed business strategies and project managed the implementation of business processes and systems for the delivery of GS1 Standard Health Checks and Supply Chain Reviews, Data Synchronisation, Data Quality Audits, Data Cleansing and Catalogue Enhancement for leading organisations.
Prior to joining GS1 Australia Earl spent five years consulting on Supply Chain Management, eCommerce and eBusiness in the distribution, retail and shipping industries where he planned and deployed eBusiness strategies enabling commerce, information sharing and collaboration for the LEGO Group and P&O Ports.
Earl has managed strategic projects in Australia and overseas for the Sumitomo Group, the Thompson Group, F.J. Benjamin Group, and the LEGO Group. During this time he implemented a number of leading enterprise-wide business applications including Sun Accounts, ROSS Distribution and SAP R/3.
Earl is a member of the Information Masters Forum, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Institute of Management and is a past member of the editorial advisory board of MIS Magazine, the Australian Retail Industry eCommerce Standards (GS1/EDI) workgroup and the Business Information Systems committee at the Australian Institute of Management.
Earl holds an MBA in International Business and Strategic Management from the University of Technology, Sydney and an Executive MBA in Global Management. Earl is multi-lingual, being fluent in English, Malay and Hokkien.
| Selected Project Achievements | |
| Client | Project Description |
| Supply SA (Department of Administrative and Information Services, SA Govt.) | Data synchronisation, data cleansing and catalogue enhancement – successfully completed achieving cleansed source data for both back-office application and online eStore. Additionally affording Supply SA an ongoing saving in the cost of production of hard copy catalogues. |
| NSW Health (Department of Health, NSW Govt.) | Supplier content aggregation and supplier roll out - successfully completed. |
| Healthcare Supplier | Data Quality Audit. |
| Packaging | GS1 Standard Health Check and Supply Chain Review. |
| Health Support Services NSW | GS1net (NPC) Tailored Group Training – training session. |
| Grocery, Liquor and Health suppliers | GS1 Health Checks, GS1 Supply Chain Reviews and GS1net Implementation Projects. |
Murray Robb has been a key member of the Professional Services Team since July 2004. Murray brings to GS1 Australia a range of experience in both manufacturing and electronic commerce. A key consultant in the delivery of GS1net Training, GS1net Implementation programs, Supply Chain Reviews and GS1 Health Check projects.
Murray has developed the GS1net Certification Program and has worked with a number of Alliance Partners seeking to and achieving GS1net Certified Product status for their GS1net products.
Murray has developed the Browser Template which is being used by several companies in their GS1net Implementation Projects.
Prior to working for GS1, Murray spent ten years with a Business-to-Business eCommerce solution provider where he delivered integrated EDI solutions to many of Australia's leading companies.
Murray commenced his manufacturing career as an industrial engineer and later as a production manager. Working within the competitive environments of the Motor Vehicle Components, Textile Clothing and Footwear industries. Murray has a clear understanding of the need for businesses to continually strive for efficiencies to remain competitive in today's business environment.
| Selected Project Achievements | |
| Client | Project Description |
| Apparel | The objective of this project was to provide the client with a range of detailed recommendations on how to implement the GS1 standards. These recommendations will be based on a thorough understanding of current business processes, business systems and trading partner requirements. The deliverables of this project assisted the client to improve current inventory management practices through numbering and barcoding standards, electronic messaging and automatic data capture technologies. |
| Food Service | GS1 B2B Review using the GS1 B2B Program Methodology and providing recommendations. |
| Smallgoods | GS1 Health Check which assisted this client to review their level of readiness for the implementation of GS1 standards, both internally within the business and externally with their trading partners. |
| Grocery and healthcare | Support development of GS1net XML Solution for loading data onto GS1net |
Brendon Johnson
Senior Advisor
Brendon Johnson has significant experience in eCommerce projects and a highly successful track record in defining and delivering business solutions incorporating new technologies and change management best practices.
Through years of experience as a vendor, buyer and independent consultant, Brendon brings a 360 degree perspective to his projects enabling the assimilation of requirements from all parties and the delivery of efficient, viable and sustainable solutions.
With a hands-on approach coupled with extensive experience across a wide range of industries including: Automotive, Agribusiness, Education, Health, Betting and Gaming, Government and Finance, Brendon's work has significantly improved annual revenue streams for these organisations and their trading partners.
| Selected Project Achievements | |
| Client | Project Description |
| Grocery Retailers | Developed functional requirements and project managed the implementation of an online EDI document testing tool based on the GS1 Community Management Tool. |
| Tobacco Manufacturer | Reviewed and refined eBusiness strategy, developed ‘ Request for Proposal ’ documentation, and evaluated submitted proposals. |
| Hardware Industry retailer | Ecommerce strategy review and update, including activities such as; Requirements definition, Tender documentation, Proposal evaluations, Cost of ownership modeling, Selection criteria and consulting and Implementation assistance/consulting. |
Ramesh Rayer has developed his career within GS1 Australia, since joining in April 2005. Prior to becoming a Professional Services Advisor, Ramesh held positions as an GS1net Client Services Advisor and a Member Support Advisor.
During his time as a Client Services Advisor, Ramesh provided technical advice and assisted many GS1net users in their implementations of GS1net and ultimately to achieve a status of “GS1net Ready”.
Ramesh then moved into the Member Support role. In this position Ramesh helped companies understand how the GS1 System functioned and how to implement it within their organisation.
Through these roles Ramesh has been able to gain a comprehensive knowledge of the GS1 system and valuable experience in data synchronisation for the food and grocery, liquor, health and pharmaceutical industries.
Since joining the Professional Services team, Ramesh has been involved in the GS1net Certification Program and continues to help with the development of documentation for the GS1net community. Ramesh has worked with the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) to promote and roll-out the National Product Catalogue (NPC) to the Health Industry.
More recently Ramesh has provided GS1net and NPC training to several GS1 clients.
