Frequently Asked Questions

Training is typically necessary to ensure that users can operate the software correctly and make the most out of its features. Many platforms offer tutorials and support to help users. CommonShare provides comprehensive training and support through collaborative sessions, educational resources, and live assistance. This approach focuses on optimizing the use of its sustainability-driven tools, making the platform accessible and effective for businesses of all sizes. CommonShare emphasizes collaboration and tailored support, making training more about fostering long-term sustainability goals and supplier engagement.

Yes, traceability software can help prevent counterfeiting by using unique identifiers such as barcodes or RFID tags to authenticate products. CommonShare takes this a step further with its Peer-to-Peer (P2P) model, which facilitates direct data exchanges between suppliers, clients, and third-party verification bodies. These entities authenticate key information at critical points along the supply chain, ensuring full transparency and building trust in the authenticity of the product. This approach provides a robust safeguard against counterfeiting by verifying data integrity throughout the entire process.

The cost of implementing traceability software varies based on the platform's features and scale. Cloud-based solutions tend to be more affordable, while custom integrations may increase costs. CommonShare offers a flexible pricing model, particularly for small businesses focused on meeting sustainability compliance standards. The platform may involve additional costs related to data verification and supplier engagement, which are essential for its collaborative approach. CommonShare's model focuses on affordability for small businesses while emphasizing the need for verification and collaboration, which adds value. Lastly, a company should consider the time and effort it take to organize the data and appropriately engage with suppliers to prepare and support them in onboarding and providing the needed data.

The implementation time for traceability software varies depending on the complexity of the supply chain and the level of integration required. Typically, it can take several weeks to several months to fully implement. CommonShare's system is scalable and can be implemented relatively quickly, especially for companies needing immediate compliance solutions. Due to CommonShare's collaborative approach and supplier engagement approach, implementation timelines can be significantly reduced with proper engagement upfront.

Yes, traceability software can often be customized to meet specific business needs. CommonShare allows businesses to tailor their traceability solutions to focus on their sustainability goals and the specific regulatory requirements of their industry. For example, the platform can be customized to monitor specific environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics, product certifications, or compliance with sustainability standards or regulations. This flexibility ensures that businesses can focus on the most critical areas of their supply chain that align with their overall sustainability strategy. CommonShare emphasizes the ability to tailor solutions for sustainability and regulatory requirements, rather than just operational needs.

Common challenges include integration with legacy systems, aligning data standards across suppliers, validating the information provided by suppliers and improving response rates of suppliers. CommonShare addresses these challenges by providing standardized data protocols and ensuring integration with certification bodies. Further, CommonShare has developed an approach to supplier engagement to increase their response rate overall reducing the time to complete the exercise. CommonShare offers a solution to the common challenge of fragmented data by working closely with global certification standards and protocols allowing for a single point for verification and reporting.

Data security in traceability software is typically maintained through encryption, secure cloud storage, and stringent access controls. Many platforms adhere to established industry standards to safeguard sensitive information. CommonShare takes a comprehensive approach to data security by implementing multiple layers of protection. This includes advanced encryption protocols and role-based access control, which allows users to manage who can view or modify sensitive information. By ensuring that only authorized parties have the necessary visibility, CommonShare protects supply chain data from unauthorized access, while still facilitating transparency for legitimate stakeholders. This layered security system helps ensure both compliance and data integrity throughout the supply chain.

Product IDs, lot numbers, supplier details, and transportation data are common types of traceability information. CommonShare collects data related to sustainability claims, carbon footprints, and compliance with international sourcing regulations. CommonShare's focus on sustainability means it collects additional data on environmental impact and social compliance, beyond typical product data. Our unique approach to ProductChain® and OrderChain® provides you with a level of verified granularity not available anywhere else on the market.

Yes, many platforms offer scalable solutions that cater to small and mid-sized enterprises. CommonShare offers tailored solutions for smaller businesses, especially those focusing on sustainability and ethical sourcing. CommonShare emphasizes providing affordable, scalable solutions for smaller companies looking to meet sustainability compliance requirements. In addition, our approach allows companies to do certain tasks once and reuse the data to address multiple needs such as standards, regulation and client-driven requests.

ProductChain® is CommonShare's traceability solution that focuses on product-level data. This tool allows businesses to track the journey of a product across its entire lifecycle—from sourcing raw materials to final consumer delivery. ProductChain® integrates verified sustainability claims and certifications, ensuring that each product adheres to required environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. The granular level of detail provided by ProductChain® enables companies to maintain transparency and trust with their customers and stakeholders. ProductChain® allows for the development of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Digital Product Passports (DPPs).

No, while mapping is an essential part of traceability, it is not enough to meet most regulations. Compliance also requires monitoring, documenting, and verifying product data, including quality control, sustainability claims, and adherence to certifications. CommonShare provides tools that go beyond mapping, offering real-time tracking, verification, and compliance with regulations like the EU Green Claims and German Supply Chain Act. Product-level traceability and purchase order-level traceability may be necessary to fully meet complex regulatory requirements. CommonShare's approach emphasizes full transparency and regulatory compliance by combining mapping with robust verification, rather than relying on mapping alone.