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 variable product 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). In collaboration with key stakeholders, IDA designed an e-commerce taxonomy in a customized SkuDB environment which included hierarchy mapping and revenue analytics. Global attributes and code sets were defined and approved, and navigation attributes were assigned to categories based on existing data and competitive research.
Product attributes were normalized according to style guidelines and 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 e-commerce flexibility
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Taxonomy mappings to allow for efficient on-boarding and classification alignment
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Variable product 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
150%
Increase in Ecommerce Revenue in first 24 Months after implementation
45%
Increase in Ecommerce Share of Company Sales
30%
Reduction in
Master Taxonomy Category Count
35%
Increase in Average Order Value
50%
Increase in Navigation Attribute Count
25%
Increase in
Search Relevancy
20%
Reduction in Item On-Boarding Time
40%
Reduction in
Ecommerce Taxonomy Average Depth
Manufacturer Case Study
Client was a large global industrial manufacturer with multiple disconnected legacy PIMs. The Project Team built a draft 2-Level taxonomy and presented the design to leaders and executive sponsors using SkuDB's easy-to-understand interface. The draft structure was revised and approved, during a 2-week socialization campaign with Client stakeholders.
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After completing three 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 full design, which included an web 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 PIM , search & web platforms. 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 web hierarchy with definitions, help text and style guidelines
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Attribute duplication eliminated in electrical products segment
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Two hierarchy (master-display) model for clean data governance
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Navigation attributes including critical metadata for web
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Search indexing, search thesaurus and search redirects
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Product data formatted into approved PIM load template
RESULTS
100%
Increase in Sales Leads Through Website
25%
Reduction in On-Boarding Time
50%
Reduction in Maintained Websites
30%
Reduction in Taxonomy Average Depth
20%
Increase in Search Relevancy
Retailer
Case Study
Client was a top 10 e-commerce retailer in the 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 auto-classification and working sessions with subject matter experts. In parallel, display taxonomy design 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.
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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, a Sourcing Team began data collection from manufacturers in order to fill data gaps and improve fill rates. To ensure data accuracy, attribute definitions, controlled value lists, supplemental training documentation, and a double-key entry process were used. Final data was normalized by taxonomists and then uploaded to PIM.
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After data implementation, a new product data governance program was initiated, 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 improved data maintenance
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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
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