Catalogue Management
Catalogue Management in the Electronic Marketplace is concerned with Business to Business (B2B) suppliers making an electronic catalogue of their products available for buyers to purchase from online. This aspect of eProcurement helps speed up the buying process and reduces the costs of procurement.
Catalogue Management is mainly utilised for low value products that are bought often. Many B2B items are currently bought from printed catalogues. Catalogues for stationery, office furniture and regularly used items such as components and replacement parts are suitable for converting into an electronic format. For low order high value orders such as tenders for new machinery, buildings, vehicles, or other expensive items, catalogues are unlikely to be used. These types of order may involve bespoke design or manufacture, customisation or configuring. Support, maintenance and operational costs may also need to be considered.
One of the benefits of Catalogue Management is that Suppliers can make their catalogues available to a much wider audience, and across the globe. In addition, as there is less money spent on producing and distributing catalogues, the savings can be passed on to customers.
A worldwide supplier may offer different products or prices to different countries or markets, based on different factors such as volume or location. Using an electronic Catalogue Management system will allow the appropriate catalogue(s) and prices to be shown to buyers, once they’ve logged in. This removes the need to send out different catalogues and price lists to different customers, and so saves the supplier time and money.
Using a Catalogue Management system allows buyers to see other products available from the supplier. A stationery company may also provide office furniture, office catering supplies, and IT equipment. Purchasing from a single supplier may significantly reduce the costs and administration involved in the ordering process, and for the supplier fulfilling the order.
An electronic catalogue is quick and easy to amend, so that adding or removing products and changing prices can be done instantly. Catalogue Management ensures that the catalogue can be updated as often as required, and seen by many more prospective customers who are ready to buy. This also reduces the cost associated with printing several editions of a catalogue or price list during the year.
Catalogue Management involves ensuring that the catalogue is always up to date, factually correct, and that all required information is available for buyers. Depending on the industry or goods offered, the catalogue may need updating on a weekly or monthly basis. Prices and products may change during the year, perhaps due to advances in technology, upcoming events or seasonal changes.
Catalogue Management is vital to the success of eProcurement for both buyers and suppliers. Suppliers need to keep their catalogues current, and Buyers need to be able to find out all the information they need to be able to palce an order, without needing to contact the supplier. Electronic Catalogue Management Systems can take advantage of additional and larger images, and more detailed descriptions, as there are not the same limitations on space or weight associated with a printed catalogue.
Buyers need to feel reassured that their supplier’s Catalogue Management system will allow them to quickly and easily order the products they need, at the right price and with an acceptable delivery timescale. Putting buyers at ease will help sellers to promote confidence and professionalism, and encourage other buyers to purchase from them. Providing plenty of calls to action is vital, so that buyers know how to order, what to do next, and what to expect. In addition, other suppliers will be able to see how Catalogue Management can help improve their sales.
There are undoubtedly many benefits of using Catalogue Management to help facilitate eProcurement for buyers and sellers. With over 2700 customers including banks and government departments, find out how ProcServe can help you get started with Catalogue Management.
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