Setting Up a Resolver to Handle GS1 Digital Links

Ryan Hayes Ryan Hayes

A resolver for GS1 Digital Links is a crucial component that directs users to the appropriate content or service when they scan a GS1 Digital Link QR code or click on a link. The resolver parses the link, interprets the embedded data, and then routes the user to the correct destination, such as product details, authentication services, or traceability information.

Here’s how you can set up a resolver to handle GS1 Digital Links, whether you're working in a small business or a large enterprise environment.

1. Understanding the Role of a GS1 Digital Link Resolver

A resolver is essentially a server-side application that receives requests containing GS1 Digital Links, processes them, and returns the corresponding data or redirects to the appropriate resource. The resolver must understand the GS1 Digital Link URI structure and be capable of querying databases or APIs based on the embedded identifiers.

 

2. Basic Components of a Resolver

To set up a GS1 Digital Link resolver, you’ll need to create the following components:

  • URI Parser: Parses the GS1 Digital Link URI to extract relevant identifiers like GTIN, serial number, etc.
  • Routing Logic: Determines the destination based on the parsed data. This could involve querying a database or redirecting to a specific URL.
  • Database/API Connector: Interfaces with your backend systems to retrieve product data or other related information.
  • Response Handler: Sends the appropriate response back to the user, whether it's a web page, JSON data, or a redirect.

 

3. Setting Up the Resolver

Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up a resolver for GS1 Digital Links.

Step 1: Create the URI Parsing Function The first task is to parse the GS1 Digital Link URI and extract the embedded identifiers.

Example in Node.js:

function parseGS1DigitalLink(uri) {
    const parts = uri.split('/');
    const data = {};

    // Extracting the AI-value pairs
    for (let i = 1; i < parts.length; i += 2) {
        const ai = parts[i];
        const value = parts[i + 1];
        data[ai] = value;
    }
    return data;
}

This function will break down the URI into key-value pairs based on GS1 Application Identifiers (AIs).

Step 2: Set Up the Routing Logic Next, implement routing logic to handle different types of requests. This might involve looking up a product by its GTIN or checking the batch number for traceability.

Example in Express.js:

const express = require('express');
const app = express();

app.get('/:ai/:value/*', (req, res) => {
    const parsedData = parseGS1DigitalLink(req.url);

    // Sample routing based on GTIN
    if (parsedData['01']) {
        const gtin = parsedData['01'];
        // Retrieve product info from the database or API
        getProductInfo(gtin).then(product => {
            if (product) {
                res.json(product);
            } else {
                res.status(404).send('Product not found');
            }
        });
    } else {
        res.status(400).send('Invalid GS1 Digital Link');
    }
});

 

Step 3: Connect to Databases or APIs Your resolver will likely need to fetch data from a database or call an external API to retrieve product or batch details.

Database Query Example:

const mysql = require('mysql');
const connection = mysql.createConnection({
    host: 'localhost',
    user: 'user',
    password: 'password',
    database: 'products'
});

function getProductInfo(gtin) {
    return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
        const query = 'SELECT * FROM products WHERE gtin = ?';
        connection.query(query, [gtin], (error, results) => {
            if (error) return reject(error);
            resolve(results[0]);
        });
    });
}

Step 4: Handle Responses Finally, your resolver needs to handle responses. Depending on the use case, you might redirect the user to a product page, return a JSON object, or display a message.

Example Response:

app.get('/:ai/:value/*', (req, res) => {
    const parsedData = parseGS1DigitalLink(req.url);

    if (parsedData['01']) {
        const gtin = parsedData['01'];
        getProductInfo(gtin).then(product => {
            if (product) {
                res.redirect(`/products/${product.id}`);
            } else {
                res.status(404).send('Product not found');
            }
        });
    } else {
        res.status(400).send('Invalid GS1 Digital Link');
    }
});

 

4. Deploying the Resolver

Once your resolver is developed, you need to deploy it on a server or cloud service that can handle the traffic and provide reliable uptime.

Deployment Options:

  • Self-Hosted Server: Deploy on your own infrastructure using tools like Nginx, Apache, or Node.js servers.
  • Cloud Services: Use cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Heroku for easier scaling and management.
  • Serverless Functions: For small-scale resolvers, consider using serverless functions (e.g., AWS Lambda) to reduce costs and simplify maintenance.

 

5. Testing and Validation

Before going live, thoroughly test your resolver to ensure it can handle various GS1 Digital Link URIs and routes users correctly.

Testing Tips:

  • Unit Testing: Write tests for your URI parser and routing logic to ensure they handle all expected input types.
  • Load Testing: Simulate traffic to see how your resolver performs under load.
  • Security Testing: Ensure your resolver is secure against common vulnerabilities like SQL injection, XSS, and CSRF.

 

By setting up a GS1 Digital Link resolver, you enable your business to efficiently handle digital product data, enhancing traceability, customer engagement, and overall transparency. The process involves parsing GS1 Digital Link URIs, routing them to appropriate destinations, querying databases, and providing relevant responses—all of which can be managed within a robust, scalable server environment.