The digitalization of purchasing processes between business partners (B2B) is progressing continuously. This requires product data to be uploaded to online stores, e-procurement systems or e-marketplaces. This is where BMEcat converters come into play. Find out all about the best BMEcat converters for your company. I compare the top 5 providers and explain how the software automates your product data management, saves costs and increases efficiency.
What is a BMEcat converter?
A BMEcat converter, also known as a BMEcat generator or BMEcat software, helps to convert Product Data into an XML format. XML is a structured data format that exchanges information between IT systems. The structure of BMEcat is standardized according to the specifications of the German Association of Materials Management, Purchasing and Logistics (BME). BMEcat is now the standard for exchanging product information in the industry. A BMEcat converter translates various file formats into the electronic catalog of the same name. The basic functions include creation, validation and distribution. We will take a look at how these functions interact in the next section.
How does such software work?
To create a BMEcat, product information such as images, texts, article characteristics, customer prices and classifications (e.g. E-CLASS or UNSPSC) are required. These are made available via import channels. Depending on the maturity level of the software, various formats such as Excel, CSV, JSON or XML can be imported. The BMEcat converter takes over the “translation” into BMEcat. Validations are carried out in this step. These depend on the target system or the customer requirement. The units of measure (UOMs) are a classic example. To illustrate this, let’s take the following example. In the import file, the designation “ST” is specified for the unit of measure “piece”. However, the target system requires “PCE”. Such differences can be analyzed by the validation and translated into the language of the customer system. Once the catalog has successfully passed the check, the third step is “Distribution”. If the target system enables an automatic upload, the software can do this automatically.
Infrastructure of a BMEcat converter
What are the advantages of introducing a BMEcat converter?
A BMEcat converter supplements existing solutions such as PIM systems (Product Information Management) or ERP systems with the following advantages:
- Improved data quality: Thanks to the standardization of BMEcat, Product Data can be positioned in the right place. This leads to an increase in quality, as the information arrives correctly in the target system and the search results are positively influenced. Manual errors can also be avoided.
- Increased efficiency: Automating the creation and management of electronic catalogs saves time and resources.
- Seamless integration: BMEcat’s XML-based format ensures seamless integration with existing systems such as ERP (enterprise resource planning), PIM (product information management) systems, e-marketplaces and e-procurement systems. This optimizes the data flow and eliminates the need for manual data maintenance.
- Cost savings: By reducing errors through automated validation and optimizing processes, process costs can be saved. By process costs, I mean the time spent on maintaining, creating and distributing BMEcats.
- Customer loyalty: By uploading Product Data to purchasing systems, customers can order quickly and easily. In addition, manual input errors are avoided and the customer can access up-to-date information.
How is BMEcat software developing?
In addition to BMEcat, there are other electronic catalog formats. These include Datanorm, Ariba cif or coupa’s own CSV format. There are also numerous API interfaces that exchange Product Data between systems in real time. Customer-specific CSV formats are also on the increase and pose major challenges for data suppliers. To cope with this complexity, BMEcat software solutions are evolving into e-catalog management solutions. In addition, AI (artificial intelligence) will simplify the “refinement” of electronic catalogs in the future. One possible application is the automated assignment of classifications (e.g. E-CLASS, UNSPSC, ETIM) at item level. There are also initial approaches in the creation of texts. Individual texts for target groups and systems can be created automatically.
Infrastructure of e-catalog management solutions
Top 5 BMEcat converters at a glance: e-proCAT, nexoma, Pro3Con, Storeserver, and PIM providers
e-pro – e-proCAT
e-pro CAT GmbH is one of the leading providers of catalog solutions with over 1,000 customers. With its roots in the Fraunhofer Institute IAO and as a co-founder of the BMEcat standard, e-pro CAT GmbH has over 20 years of experience in the development of electronic catalogs.
Selected features:
- Classify from E-CLASS to UNSPSC and from UNSPSC to E-CLASS
- Extensive validation options
- Delete links of invalid MIME files. Images, data sheets and other attachments are processed under MIME.
nexoma – CatalogExpress
The interdisciplinary team at nexoma combines expertise from the fields of project management, software development and architecture, design and media design. Its focus is on the development and implementation of powerful software solutions for product data management. With the CatalogExpress software solution, nexoma supports companies in the efficient transformation and distribution of data via various channels.
Selected features:
- Conversion to complex standards such as FAB-DIS, BMEcat ETIM or ETIM xChange
- Standard interfaces to PIM systems such as Akeneo, Apollon, Contentserv, ViaMedici, Pimcore or the Shopware store system
Pro3Con – Primus Catalog
Pro3Con GmbH is a software provider in the field of automated distribution of Product Data. The focus is on providing customized solutions for the creation and integration of e-catalogues and webshop systems. With a deep understanding of the digital transformation of business processes, Pro3Con supports companies in making their procurement and sales processes more efficient.
Selected features:
- User-friendly software interface
- In addition to the export formats Ariba Cif, coupa CSV, BMEcat, a Punchout catalog or an OCI interface can be created in just a few minutes.
- Automated data distribution via FTP server
Store server
Founded by Managing Director Sven Sprandel in close cooperation with the Fraunhofer IAO, the company’s origins lie in the development of the openTRANS/BMEcat exchange format. This was implemented as the first focus with the store server BMEcat generator and continuously developed further.
Selected features:
- Converter works on an Excel basis and can be used locally
- Flexible extension of BMEcat fields
PIM systems (Product Information Management)
Many PIM providers have implemented the BMEcat format. In contrast to the BMEcat converters, PIM systems are based on internal logics. These reach their limits as soon as customers and target systems make specific requirements. The solutions can be requested and implemented as programming requirements using change requests. If this is too time-consuming and expensive, the specialist department can rework them manually.
Selected features:
- BMEcat standard with internal logic
Five important steps for the introduction of BMEcat software
- Needs analysis: Before implementing a BMEcat converter, it is important to assess your business needs. Determine the size of your item portfolio, the complexity of the item data and the integration requirements.
- Selecting the right software: The right software must be selected based on the needs analysis. Important criteria are user-friendliness, existing interfaces, scalability, the provider’s knowledge of the target channels, joint development potential and the price model.
- Data preparation: Product Data is the be-all and end-all. Prepare your existing Product Data for migration. This can include cleansing data, standardizing formats and ensuring the completeness and accuracy of all necessary information.
- Integration: Integrate the BMEcat converter into your existing systems. It is best to get your IT colleagues on board as early as step 1. Seamless integration into existing systems is recommended in order to reduce manual activities. If you mainly work with Excel, you can start directly with the integration of the target systems.
- Training and support: Provide training for your team to help them learn how to use the new software. Also make sure they have access to ongoing support to resolve any issues that arise.
Conclusion
The introduction of a BMEcat converter is a valuable tool for setting up professional Product Data and catalog management. It allows manual and small-scale work steps to be automated step by step. This results in up-to-date data in the target systems and an increase in customer satisfaction.
With standardized data formats, comprehensive functions and scalability, software providers for generating BMEcats offer numerous advantages, including improved data quality, increased efficiency and cost savings. Through careful needs analysis, selection of the right software and focused implementation, rapid optimization can be achieved.
At a time when digital transformation is progressing and e-commerce is becoming increasingly important, high-quality product data updates at short notice are the foundation for sales. Are you ready to optimize your digital sales processes and take advantage of BMEcat software?
Peter Prütting is an expert in value-oriented and digital business development. With over 15 years of sales experience in wholesale, manufacturing and e-marketplaces, he takes a holistic view. His colleagues value him as a customer-centric and focused leader who guides teams through digital change. Away from his day-to-day work, he recharges his batteries by mountain biking.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
A BMEcat converter is software that converts Product Data into the standardized XML format BMEcat. This format enables the exchange of product information between different systems in the B2B sector. The software validates and distributes the data automatically.
A BMEcat converter imports product information from various file formats such as Excel or CSV and translates it into BMEcat format. The data is checked for errors and adapted to the requirements of the target system. After successful validation, the data can be distributed automatically.
A BMEcat converter improves data quality, automates processes and therefore saves time and money. It also enables seamless integration into existing systems and increases efficiency in product data maintenance.
The selection depends on various factors such as the complexity of the Product Data, the integration requirements and the scalability of the software. Other important criteria are user-friendliness and the interfaces to other systems such as PIM or ERP.
BMEcat software is evolving into comprehensive e-catalog management solutions that support other catalog formats and APIs in addition to the BMEcat format. In the future, AI will be used to automate classification and text generation, further simplifying the process.
Sources
- E-Pro, software solution: https://e-pro.cat/e-procat/
- Store server, software solution: https://www.storeserver.de/bmecat-generator/
- Pro3Con, software solution: https://pro3con.com/produkte/bmecat-software/
- Nexoma, software solution: https://nexoma.de/catalogexpress/
