Overview
Catalog management software is a tool that simplifies the process of creating, editing and publishing product catalogs across various channels. The software is a critical tool for businesses with large collections of products or services that require regular updates. Catalog management software is an integral part of the eCommerce business as it enables businesses to create a digital catalog of all products and services for better management.
Who Uses Catalog Management Software?
Catalog management software is used by businesses across multiple industries that require centralized management of product information. Retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers use this software to create new and updated catalogs continuously. It is also widely used by e-commerce stores and marketplaces to manage catalogs across different channels.
Benefits of Catalog Management Software
Centralization: Catalog management software allows businesses to centralize all product information and manage it efficiently. This helps to improve accuracy, reduce errors and omissions.
Better Product Information: With catalog management software, businesses can manage and enrich product information to enhance the customer shopping experience.
Improved Sales: The software aids in increasing conversion rates by making it easier for customers to find and purchase the products they seek.
Features of Catalog Management Software
Product Information Management: Catalog management software provides a central repository for product data. Users can add new products, edit and enrich them with multimedia files, group similar products, and remove those that are no longer available.
Import and Export: Users can import or export product data using various file formats to and from the catalog management software.
Multi-Channel Distribution: Catalog management software helps businesses push their product catalogs to various channels such as websites, marketplaces, social media platforms, print catalogs and various sales channels.
5 Examples of Catalog Management Software
Catsy (catsy.com): Catsy is a cloud-based catalog management software that enables users to manage complex product catalogs, streamline product data distribution, and collaborate with team members efficiently. The software offers an intuitive user interface, comprehensive search functionality, and supports multiple languages.
InRiver (inriver.com): InRiver is a Product Information Management (PIM) platform that helps businesses to enrich and distribute product information in real-time to various channels and systems. The platform provides advanced functionality such as efficient data management, analytics, collaborative workflows, and integrations.
Catalog Machine (catalogmachine.com): Catalog Machine is an all-in-one online catalog builder that enables users to create, manage, and distribute online catalogs, flyers, and line sheets. The software allows for the seamless import of product data from various sources, edits, and publication of updated catalogs.
Plytix (plytix.com): Plytix is a PIM platform designed to simplify product management across multiple channels. The software offers users features such as product data management, seamless editing, and collaboration, integrations, and enterprise scalability.
Oracle CX Commerce (oracle.com/cx/commerce): Oracle CX Commerce is a cloud-based platform that provides a comprehensive suite of e-commerce offerings, including catalog management software. Features include digital asset management, consumer experience management, AI and machine learning, and enterprise-grade scalability.
How to Use Catalog Management Software
Using catalog management software to manage your product data serving the following steps:
Step 1: Import product data into the catalog management software. Users can import product data from multiple sources such as CSV, Excel, or existing databases.
Step 2: Edit product information. Catalog management software allows you to edit each product’s information that includes product name, descriptions, images, categories, and other attributes depending on the software.
Step 3: Publish the catalogs. After confirming the product information’s validity, users can publish the catalogs to various channels.
Drawbacks and Limitations of Catalog Management Software
Catalog management software has several limitations and drawbacks, which include the following:
High Costs: Many catalog management software programs are costly, making them unavailable to small companies.
Complexity: Catalog management software can be complicated to use and time-consuming to learn.
Integration Challenges: Integrating catalog management software to other critical systems is often a challenge, especially with legacy systems.
Conclusion
Catalog management software is an essential tool for eCommerce businesses. It enables businesses to keep track of their products, create new catalogs, and distribute them across different channels. Therefore, it is essential to select the best catalog management software that meets your business’ unique needs. Evaluate each software carefully and determine which one aligns with your needs best.