Product catalogue: how to centralise the information?

Currently, there are so many ways to gather product information as there are distributors, suppliers, service panels and products. The offerings of product distributors complement each other and evolve. This complicates the convergence effort and the complexity of collecting and maintaining the catalogue, not to mention the cooperation with several brands or suppliers.

What does it mean for the company to develop a product catalogue?

At a time when 80% of the information recorded by the customer is visual, the catalogue remains an indispensable channel, in order to tempt and win over the consumer. All textual and graphic components require attention to detail and contribute to the creation of a brand image in the customer's mind. They consist of graphic guidelines, marketing descriptions, high-definition photos, etc. While all the details are essential, the process of producing a catalogue involves a succession of time-consuming tasks. These increase the risk of errors in the information provided to the end customer. In product information management, it is necessary to master the design and layout, to proofread and rectify the proofs. Including gathering thousands of product references, arranging products by type, etc. Goaland will help you to find more details about the product catalogue.

The advantages of the product catalogue

The main advantage of a product catalogue seems to be the concentration of your services, works, products and materials in one place. In addition, you will benefit from a high level of time in the management of your sales, including the management of product information. You will have statistics on your articles and sales. And this, if you are always scheduled or if you choose an invoicing or automatic management software. Useful information about the items you present is readily available when you have to draw up your invoices and estimates. Remember that when you present a service (e.g., installation of skirting boards), you must distinguish between goods and services. This distinction must be clearly visible in your invoices and accounts (CGI, Annex 2 - Article 242 nonies A - 7 °).

Sharing and issuing product information

Once collected and described as complete, the issue to various collaborators is verified and boosted. Furthermore, in the management of product information, communications between tools and applications are simplified (e.g., system interfaces). Thus, the article files will be able to satisfy a specific segmentation allowing to target the various distribution channels. For example, a retailer will have particular product attributes that are not used by other retailers. For example, this is the case with Google classifications, mobile descriptions or Amazon titles. Data delivery is dominated by product information segmented into channels. This is known as multi-channel distribution. The use of these data can also vary, such as in points of sale, in print, in e-commerce, etc.

Addressing challenges and opportunities in information and communication technologies

PIM: can products be managed internally and externally?

Digital transformation requires several languages: PHP, JavaScript, HTML5, CSS 3, Java, Android, iOS… Tailor-made digital solutions adapt to the constraints and expectations of companies.

Innovative technologies help entrepreneurs to find new industrial opportunities. These techniques offer new advances to the R&D sectors. Visit specialised trade fairs to discover the digital solutions of tomorrow.

The digitalisation of companies has the ultimate goal of business growth. Digital transformation has led to the emergence of innovative communication media and the optimisation of business management.