Product Portfolio and Product Information Management
Present the same product on every channel with accurate, complete, and commercially usable information.
A multi-channel sales system is based on reliable product information. Product code, name, and price alone are not sufficient. Furniture products can be identified by numerous characteristics such as size, color, fabric, upholstery, legs, mechanism, module, set, intended use, and packaging.
When product information is stored separately in different files and channel systems, differences in descriptions, images, dimensions, and options arise between channels. Centralized product information management ensures the controlled creation and distribution of commercial, technical, and digital information about the product to all channels.
The core components of the central product model.
Product, model, variant, module, team, and collection hierarchies
Size, color, fabric, material, coating, and functional specifications.
Valid and invalid product option combinations
Product portfolios based on channel, country, customer, and brand.
Product classifications in terms of sales, production, logistics, and service.
Images, videos, technical drawings, and assembly documents.
Multilingual product names and descriptions
Product lifecycle, launch and discontinuation dates.
Alternative, complementary, and compatible product relationships.
Product data quality control and approval processes.
Controlled product releases to channels.
Not every product needs to be sold on every channel. The product portfolio should be determined by considering the channel's customer base, delivery capacity, price positioning, display opportunities, and service level.
Approaches such as GS1-based product identity, standardized core product features, and GS1 Digital Link can be evaluated for linking information about products in both the physical and digital worlds.
Manage product information not just as catalog content, but as fundamental data that drives all business processes, from sales to logistics.