Single Source Product Information Management

Centralized Repository for Product Information

Accurate, timely and consistent information is now a key business driver. A company’s ability to manage information efficiently means shorter time to market, however, for most mid-market distribution companies, keeping up with the flow of information about the products they sell represents a huge challenge.

Research suggests that the full-cycle time for new product introduction could be reduced by up to 50% if product information could be managed from a single source.  For businesses managing tens of thousands of items from multiple vendors, the costs in real dollars, time and frustration are staggering. 

ERP Integration

Once the product information has been gathered it is keyed into the system — often by multiple departments, resulting in replicated, duplicated, conflicting, incomplete and error-laden information that creates a number of other problems. Without controls, data governance, or revision tracking there is no way for the company to rollback information in the event of an error.  

Enabling e-Commerce

Savvy businesses wanting to remain competitive are pushing information onto customers using catalogs, brochures, and through their website.  Many are recognizing the benefits of selling product online and are implementing e-commerce capabilities.  Online selling (e-commerce) capability is one of the more important trends that offline (traditional) distributors need to address to meet growing customer expectations.  We are all demanding a seamless experience when buying online and much of our expectations are set by what we experience when we are shopping online as consumers. Banking, apparel, auction and advertising sites have established the look and feel standards for an online transaction, those expectations are now the new rules of commerce for business-to-business transactions.  Buyers want the ability to research products, check availability, place an order and pay over the Internet.  Buyers attention spans are shorter and when they can’t find what they want, and quickly, they simply search again for another vendor.  Find out more…

Building Trust

Product information management reduces the product cycle time to market and improves the richness of product information — two more ways that allow companies to differentiate from their competitors.  Having a central repository of relational data and the capability to dynamically assemble catalogs that are accurate, timely, and can be efficiently shared with customers give a business a competitive advantage.  Customer loyalty is enhanced when its suppliers’ website and printed material are viewed as a trusted source of accurate and reliable information.

Bridging the flow of information gaps at all levels of the supply chain by enabling the bi-directional flow of product information is an important business driver that has potential to dramatically improve your bottom line. Find out more…