Before the introduction of Contentserv, product information at CHERRY was handled with typical controlled chaos: data was stored locally in a variety of locations as Excel and Word files and made available to other team members via shared drives. Manually maintained and often created multiple times and in different versions, it took a great deal of coordination to provide reasonably reliable product information. A DAM system was available for image data, which simplified distribution, but could not meet the company’s actual requirements in terms of functionality and timeliness. Listing emails with Excel files and manually created data sheets were sent for external distribution, while the data for the web shop was painstakingly uploaded and entered manually – from today’s perspective, these are significant weaknesses for a company with a strong focus on e-commerce.
In 2015, the decision was made in favor of a change process with the introduction of a PIM solution as a single source of truth. The goal was to overcome inefficient and error-prone processes and establish comprehensively sustainable working methods. Contentserv was chosen as the central PIM and DAM software solution. With the further development of the business model and new requirements, the green light was given in 2020 to migrate from the previous on-site installation to Contentserv’s cloud solution together with recommended implementation partner SDZeCOM.
Requirements
- Restructuring and streamlining of product data maintenance with Contentserv as a single source of truth – with direct interfaces to SAP’s ByD ERP system and the Magento store
- Replacement of the outdated Cumulus DAM system with a seamlessly integrated DAM solution
- Major time savings through automation and a simple approval management
- Creation of data sheets directly from the PIM/DAM
- Increased data quality and more control in general over own data
- Savings on own IT infrastructure by migrating to the cloud
Implementation
The starting point for the implementation was the transfer of media assets to the new DAM system. Since a good database was already in place here, this process was successfully completed in just a few months. The next important step was to set up a central product database with interfaces to the ERP system. To this end, the existing data had to be collected, consolidated, checked, transferred to a newly developed data model and, finally, entered into the system. In mid-2020, the decision was made to migrate and implement the Contentserv cloud solution, including the connection to the Magento store, in close consultation with SDZeCOM, Contentserv’s recommended implementation partner. The data model was revalidated, structures, templates and workflows were created and tested, and it was ensured that all data present in the system was clean. On this basis, it was possible to generate data sheets automatically in 12 languages. The connection to the Magento store was also completed at the end of 2022.
Convincing Results
The use of Contentserv has already turned out to be a game changer: This massively reduced the amount of work and time required to create data sheets. For the first time, the team has full control over the existing data and can see at a glance where adjustments need to be made to ensure optimum data quality.
The DAM now serves as a central data storage facility for all files and has completely replaced other services such as Google Drive. Useful features such as the inheritance option for product attributes make the repeated entry of attributes obsolete and day-to-day tasks easier for employees.
Last but not least, the switch to the cloud means significantly less work for your own IT infrastructure and also offers greater scope and performance thanks to an always up-to-date and scalable software solution. Further expansion phases are already being implemented or are in the pipeline: for example, the connection to the cloud-based e-commerce platform Plentymarkets is close to completion. In addition to Amazon, other online marketplaces will be connected in the future and other brands are to be integrated into the system with their product information, assets and brand templates.
