After having dealt with the definition of master and article data in the previous block, we now ask ourselves: what exactly is the challenge for industry in providing this data? If you are looking for an answer to this question, read on here.
This post specifically addresses the particular challenges faced by industry.
So, what is the challenge for industry?
In short: providing data quickly and accurately, both in breadth and in depth.
Coordinating a rapidly changing range of products with various trading partners and sales markets, continuously keeping data up to date, and having to react to changes and new legal requirements poses a significant challenge. Hardly have the data for the latest product launch been distributed when the next products are already in the starting blocks.
Since each trading partner has its own specifications, needs, and system requirements, it is often not sufficient for industry to provide data in a single format. Instead, information frequently needs to be individually adapted and formatted – and this applies to every existing product as well as every new one added.
This effort costs time, which must be factored into day-to-day work, and nerves, as precisely meeting the desired specifications can be challenging. This often leads to frustration among those responsible. Added to this is the growing pressure from the retail side, which relies on good and precise article data to be able to offer products in the best possible way.
On the industry side, there is therefore a lot to coordinate and align. Individual requirements must be discussed with each retailer. At the same time, it is important to always keep an eye on important innovations, industry-specific needs, and legal requirements – and to do so without delays in the process flow.
As already mentioned, the challenge lies in the speed at which data must be provided and in the scope of the expected content.
Preview
In the next block entry, we will look at the challenges for retail in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire topic.
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