Schmidt's and crossbase:
The right tool for success
"We were able to successfully merge our two existing systems into crossbase. With this modern tool, we can deliver media-compatible output for all channels and are ready for future requirements."
Kurt Wohlgenannt
CIO and authorized signatory, SCHMIDT'S Handelsgesellschaft mbH
Founded by Josef Schmidt in Bludenz (Austria) in 1887, the company is one of the oldest and most successful hardware wholesalers in Europe. It is a full-range supplier of construction, civil engineering products, fittings, tools, machinery, factory equipment, chemical and technical products, workwear, fastening technology, gardening and power tools. SCHMIDT'S employs around 720 people at 14 Austrian locations and is 100% family-owned.
SCHMIDT’S Handelsgesellschaft mbH
Building materials and components
Kurt Wohlgenannt
Head of IT
Phone: +43 5552 6161-1070
Kurt.Wohlgenannt@schmidts.at
SCHMIDT'S Handelsgesellschaft mbH emerged from the companies Schmidt's Erben and Weyland/Steiner. As both companies were working with different PIM systems, it was decided to introduce a new joint PIM system and implement it with crossbase.
The design focused on the ability to enter data quickly and easily. This was a particular challenge, as several thousand items per supplier often have to be updated and synchronized in the retailer area.
Currently, over 200,000 items are continuously imported from the ERP system to the crossbase solution via the XML interface, where they are structured, enriched with additional content and prepared for output in print and online. Most of the product information is maintained at master product level. For this reason, the inheritance concept is used. This inherits defined content to the subordinate levels and thus minimizes the maintenance effort. In addition, some of the data maintained in crossbase is returned to the ERP system via the API interface so that the data is always identical.
Another important criterion was print media production. This needed to be simple and fast. This was achieved with the crossbase solution, despite a demanding layouter in which, for example, the placement of images had to be mirrored depending on the page (left or right side). In addition to the regularly produced catalogs and brochures, special customer catalogs with individual scope and separate prices are produced for larger customers.
Data is supplied to "Shopify" and the Weyland/Steiner online store via an API interface. This guarantees that the content is always up to date.