ASSMANN Group

prodexa Cloud with the ASSMANN Group

The ASSMANN Group is an internationally operating manufacturer of high-quality products for data network technology and network infrastructure.

More information: www.assmann.com

Challenge

The ASSMANN Group operates internationally with its 220 employees based in Lüdenscheid and has been offering high quality for more than 50 years in the areas of network technology, network and installation cables, network and server cabinets, computer cables, computer components and video solutions. Not only the products themselves but also the product information has to meet strict quality standards. For international sales of more than ten thousand products, many technical characteristics are required along with marketing texts in 14 languages. Product information has to be kept consistent and up to date across all output channels. The ASSMANN Group operates from multiple locations to find solutions that reduce IT expenses and eliminate the need for local installations.

Solution

For product data maintenance, ASSMANN relies on prodexa Cloud PIM. Today, up to 15 project managers across 4 locations take care of this valuable data. prodexa Cloud PIM is purely web-based and enables employees at all locations to access product information easily. Here, prodexa Cloud PIM ensures not only that information is synchronised with the ERP systems on a daily basis, but also with output channels such as web shops, CMS, the ASSMANN website and a proprietary product finder for professionals with the highest standards. The PIM system also delivers specific formats for customers or marketplaces based on CSV/Excel, BMEcat, XML or pre-defined list templates.

At the same time the new PIM system was introduced, the ASSMANN Group also began the simultaneous introduction of a web shop based on OXID eSales. To achieve this ambitious goal, project participants had to carry out the basic data modelling and cleansing of existing information while also working on the required interface between the systems and the associated data preparation processes. Using the platform, new information for global suppliers is now regularly imported, prepared, compiled with existing product data and then published.

"By introducing prodexa Cloud PIM, we are now capable of publishing our product data simultaneously on all our sales channels and synchronising this easily with our different ERP systems on a daily basis. This reduces the time required for maintenance as well as significantly cutting down on errors caused by distributed data storage.”

Outlook

The next planned steps are the introduction of the current ETIM classification structure in Version 8 and increased use of mapping rules. In this process, the internal product structure will be mapped onto the standard exchange classification used in the industry and corresponding attributes will be automatically filled directly in the PIM system. Print will also be introduced as an additional channel. The initial focus will be catalogue planning and transferring catalogue structures (including product data) to our partner InBetween. The goal is to reduce lead times for catalogue preparation from planning of products all the way to the finished print catalogue in order to automate as many steps as possible.