PIMinto eliminated our data silos and revolutionized our parts business
When you're managing thousands of replacement parts with complex compatibility requirements, finding the right solution can make or break your customer experience.
About Hussmann Corporation
Hussmann Corporation, a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation, is a leading manufacturer of commercial refrigeration equipment. The company generates millions of dollars in annual revenue from online replacement parts sales, serving retail and food service businesses worldwide.
"We collaborate with customers across a variety of food retail segments as we work towards fulfilling a promise for better businesses, better partners and a better world."
— The Hussmann Promise
The Challenge: Complex Product Data Requirements
Hussmann wanted to extend their product line data to contain competitor compatibility information as well as filterable product category specific parts attribute data that could be used to enrich the end consumer experience.
Examples of fitment data include competitive "where used" data defined for each specific interchangeable SKU or compatible part. The "where used" data may contain specific competitor whole goods parts numbers or compatible one to one replacement SKUs. This data is imperative for identifying the correct SKU required by the customer.
Attribute data related to the product needed to be available for filtering in order for the customer to properly identify the appropriate SKU. Each category of items requires a different subset of attributes. Examples of category specific product attributes contains data that is personally identifiable to specific parts/product categories. For example "motors" may have a voltage range, RPM, height, width, and HP as well as other attributes. Whereas "Fan Blades" may have attributes related to bore, diameter, material number of blades and other category specific attributes.
The ability for Hussmann Corporation's existing headless eCommerce solution to be able to easily query and fetch data directly from the PIM for immediate live display to the eCommerce customers and to NOT have redundant data stored in an additional database that is duplicated in the eCommerce system was imperative. The ability for multiple users to access and edit product data based on their role was required, with attribute and SKU level restrictions and limitations.
Any changes to the product data stored in the PIM needed to be immediately reflected on the headless eCommerce web site without any delay. Likewise all channel feeds needed to reflect changed data immediately.
Digital assets including product images and 360 degree product view "spin sets" needed to be stored and served by the product management solution. 360 degree spin set images are generated in house by Hussmann and uploaded in bulk. The PAM/DAM solution had to support bulk upload and automated image and spin-set asset assignment to product SKU.
What Made This Project Complex
Hussmann's requirements went far beyond typical product management needs. They needed the ability to import from multiple data sources both at scheduled times and on demand. Data sources ranged from spreadsheets provided by suppliers to internal business system APIs and external business system APIs. The ability to allow repeatable processes and map import from different API data sources was critical, along with the capability to export in various data formats for internal data review and distribution to "static" channels.
Want to Learn More About PIM?
This success story shows PIM in action, but what exactly is Product Information Management? Get a comprehensive overview of how PIM works and why it matters.
The Solution: PIMinto PIM Selected
PIMinto PIM was selected to provide the functionality required by Hussmann. All functionality required by Hussmann is supported by PIMinto as standard features.
"What impressed us most was that we didn't need any custom development. Everything we needed came right out of the box."
From Spreadsheets to Streamlined Operations
The transformation began with a systematic approach to data migration and system integration.
Getting Started: Data Foundation
Initial product data was imported from spreadsheet into PIMinto, establishing a solid foundation for all future operations.
Channel Distribution Setup
Automated and manual Product and SKU data exports configured for automated and manual channel exports.
Real-Time Integration Achievement
Headless eCommerce solution extended to utilize PIMinto fast data serving APIs to deliver product data to eCommerce channel in real time.
Automating the Data Flow
PIMinto Feeds were configured to fetch new products/SKUs nightly from available external business system APIs and add them to the PIM along with available attribute data. This includes new product SKU data and updated attribute data for existing product SKUs related attributes. New products/SKUs are added to the PIM accordingly. Existing SKU attributes are updated accordingly.
The Results: Mission Accomplished
By implementing PIMinto PIM, Hussmann Corporation effectively extended their product line data, improved data management, and enhanced the customer experience.
"The system transformed how we manage product information. Our customers can now find exactly what they need, when they need it."
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