Distributor Case Study
Our client, an industrial distributor, recently purchased two regional competitors and needed to merge the product catalogs. The project began with a full inventory and summary analysis of existing product data repositories. Data sets were integrated into a new master taxonomy, including a two-tier data model for Products and SKUs.
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Our analysts performed an initial auto-classification, which was then reviewed, improved and finalized with the client's subject matter experts (SMEs). A draft Ecommerce taxonomy was created in collaboration with key stakeholders. A customized environment was developed for the client to access. Global attributes and code sets were defined and approved and navigation attributes were assigned to categories based on existing data and competitive research.
Product detail attributes were normalized according to style guidelines approved by client stakeholders. Taxonomy mapping rules were derived from item classifications and built into on-boarding workflows. Data delivery files were sent in load-ready format for client's PIM.​
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Information Architecture Design using SkuDB
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Multi-hierarchy design for maximum Ecommerce flexibility
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Taxonomy mappings to allow for efficient on-boarding and classification alignment
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Two-tier data model (Product-SKU) with images, descriptions, and attributes assigned at both levels
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Enhanced PIM attribute metadata designed to enable left, navigation, search indexing, data governance, and other business requirements
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Revised unit of measure attributes to clarify e-commerce package and order quantities
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Search thesaurus and search redirects to improve keyword-level search relevancy
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SKU-to-SKU and Product-to-Product relationships defined and normalized for e-commerce display
RESULTS
30%
Reduction in
Master Taxonomy Category Count
40%
Reduction in
e-Commerce Taxonomy Average Depth
0.2%
Misclassification Rate, Reduced from 2.5%
50%
Increase in Navigation Attribute Count
20%
Increase in Navigation Attribute Fill Rate
25%
Increase in
Search Relevancy
20%
Reduction in Item On-Boarding Time
Manufacturer Case Study
Manufacturer was a large international industrial conglomerate with a variety of disconnected legacy PIMs. The project team initially built proposed level 1 (L1) categories in SkuDB for the top-level business segments in an enterprise-wide master hierarchy. Because of the easy-to-understand interface, the structures were presented in the application to project leaders and executive sponsors. After receiving approval for the L1 structure, the project team embarked on a 2-week socialization and normalization campaign with brand and marketing teams, using SkuDB as its main presentation platform, and documented suggestions and issues in real time during review sessions with stakeholders.
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After completing 3 pilot categories end-to-end, the project team then used SkuDB to design a full taxonomy and work with subject matter experts (SMEs) in product engineering and marketing to refine and approve the design, which included an e-commerce hierarchy with navigation filters. Hierarchy mapping rules and a search thesaurus were then created based on exports from SkuDB and additional client inputs. Hierarchies, schema, mappings, and data quality rules were loaded to the client's implementation platform. In parallel, an updated master hierarchy and updated product descriptions were loaded to ERP.
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Information Architecture Designed in SkuDB
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​Flexible depth e-Commerce hierarchy with definitions, help text and style guidelines
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Two hierarchy (master-display) model for clean data governance
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Navigation attributes including critical metadata for e-commerce
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Search indexing, search thesaurus and search redirects
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Product data formatted into approved PIM load template
RESULTS
25%
Reduction in On-Boarding Time
20%
Increase in Search Relevancy
30%
Reduction in e-Commerce Taxonomy Average Depth
50%
Reduction in Maintained Websites
Attribute duplication eliminated in electrical products segment
Proof of Concept
for e-Commerce
Launched
On Time and
On Budget
New Global Structure for
Master Product Data
and e-Commerce
Display Hierarchies
Retailer
Case Study
Client was a top 10 e-commerce retailer in home improvement market and was launching a new e-commerce portal in the next 6 months. The master taxonomy was built first in SkuDB, and SKUs were classified leveraging both autoclassification and working sessions with subject matter experts. In parallel, the design and construction of a display taxonomy commenced in SkuDB. After hierarchies and product classification were approved by client stakeholders, taxonomists began navigation attribute schema design in SkuDB, including competitive analysis, attribute definitions, controlled value lists, sequencing and metadata authoring.
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After navigation attributes were approved, existing data was migrated into the new design, including legacy data, manufacturer data, GS1 data, and data gathered from image assets. After legacy data migration, an offshore team began data sourcing from manufacturers in order to fill data gaps and improve fill rates. The sourcing team leveraged attribute definitions, controlled value lists and supplemental training documentation, and a double entry process was used to increase data accuracy. Final data was normalized by taxonomists and then uploaded to a homegrown PIM.
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After data implementation, content from SkuDB was leveraged to stand up a new product data governance program, including style guidelines, a preferred term dictionary, attribute and category definitions, controlled value lists and an issue log.
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Information Architecture Designed in SkuDB
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Two hierarchy (master-display) model for clean data governance
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Single-tier item model to allow for quick NPI and simplified management across brands
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AI-assisted item classification to speed on-boarding
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Navigation attributes designed with critical metadata for e-Commerce
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Product data formatted into PIM load template
