Tier 2 · Supply Chain Terms

GLN (Global Location Number)

A GLN (Global Location Number) is a 13-digit GS1 identifier assigned to a physical location (facility, warehouse, office, store) or a legal entity, used to uniquely identify parties and places in supply chain transactions.

Why It Matters

GLN is the universal location identifier for supply chain operations. When a PO specifies a ship-to location, the GLN identifies exactly which facility is the destination. When an ASN is sent, the GLN confirms the receiving point. Consistent GLN usage eliminates the ambiguity of address matching and facility name variations.

The FourKites Perspective

The FourKites platform uses GLN as the standard facility identifier across the Order Twin (ship-to location on POs), the Shipment Twin (origin and destination), and the Facility Twin (facility configuration). The Graph indexes 3.6 million facility addresses, many linked to their GS1 GLN, enabling unambiguous facility matching across carrier systems, ERP records, and WMS transactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is gln global location number?

A GLN (Global Location Number) is a 13-digit GS1 identifier assigned to a physical location (facility, warehouse, office, store) or a legal entity, used to uniquely identify parties and places in supply chain transactions.

How does AI change gln global location number management?

AI transforms gln global location number from a reactive metric measured after the fact into a proactive capability predicted and optimized in real time. AI agents monitor data continuously, detect anomalies before they become problems, and take autonomous action using network intelligence from the FourKites Graph, which aggregates cross-company patterns from 882 enterprise shippers.

How does FourKites handle gln global location number?

The FourKites platform uses GLN as the standard facility identifier across the Order Twin (ship-to location on POs), the Shipment Twin (origin and destination), and the Facility Twin (facility configuration). The Graph indexes 3.6 million facility addresses, many linked to their GS1 GLN, enabling unambiguous facility matching across carrier systems, ERP records, and WMS transactions.

See how this concept powers autonomous operations.