Product Data (English)


INTRODUCTION

What is product data? Under this collective term we understand both product-specific information such as master data and media, as well as offer data such as prices and stocks (β†’ see data structure). Only with the help of correct and comprehensive product data can we enable our customers to shop inspiringly and efficiently by searching, navigating and filtering on our shop. Only through high-resolution photos and videos, targeted product descriptions, relevant variants and detailed specifications on the product detail page, we are able significantly increase the sales opportunity as well as customer satisfaction and thus boost the customer loyalty.

Digitec Galaxus relies on standardised formats for the automated and mass integration of product data. At the same time, we support partners in connecting to our system flexibly and pragmatically by carrying out integration in stages (β†’ see Data preparation in stages). As a partner, you benefit from the existing Digitec Galaxus product portfolio and can add a comprehensive range of products by specifying just a few minimum requirements.

The data transfer is preferably carried out in a direct connection via an FTP server. Alternatively, product data can be imported indirectly into our system via middleware or a third-party provider (β†’ see Plugins & Middleware). Automated processes ensure the technical implementation of the step-by-step offer creation, product creation and product enrichment (β†’ see Technical data processing). Accordingly, Digitec Galaxus relies on the partner's databases and does not provide a portal for product data preparation.


DATA PREPARATION IN STAGES

To enable our partners to connect quickly, we divide the data integration into three stages. The requirements of the stages build on each other, so that the initial integration is already possible if only a few minimum criteria are met. This data set can be enriched and supplemented later. As following, we explain the integration stages and provide an overview of the requirements and benefits of each stage.

With stage 1, the preparation and allocation of offers, you can get an efficient start to the cooperation with little effort. Here you benefit from the existing product portfolio of our online shop by attaching your offer data to products that have already been created and maintained. Based on good availability and attractive prices, you can generate sales in no time.

With stage 2, you activate the automated product creation and can integrate new assortments independently. For you as a partner, this gives you the opportunity to appear as the only supplier in the shop. By expanding your product range, you open up additional potential and benefit from the entire power of our platform.

With stage 3, you enrich the already opened products with purchase-relevant features. Our customers appreciate the improved shopping experience through the filtering option of the search results. Consequently, you increase conversion and sales of your products through better visibility and enlarged information content.

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Stage 1: Offer creation and allocation

By specifying the minimum criteria listed below, data integration can take place with the aim of creating offers and allocating offers to products that have already been maintained.

Partners who mainly supply new assortments should tackle stages 1 and 2 at the same time. Your contact person at Digitec Galaxus will analyse your product range and provide you with advice.

Stage 2: Automated product creation

The additional data required builds heavily on the structures of stage 1. Only the product title, product category and product images are added as minimum criteria.

With the completion of stage 2, you activate the automated product creation and can enrich our assortment with new articles.

Stage 3: Specification enrichment

The specifications are transmitted in a separate data sheet and can enrich existing products at any time.

Minimal criteria

  • Item number (ProviderKey)

  • EAN/GTIN

  • Price

  • Stock

Minimal criteria

  • Files from stage 1

  • Products title

  • Brand

  • Product category

  • product picture

  • product weight

Minimal criteria

  • Files from stage 1 and 2

  • Specifications (size, color, target group, …)

Your advantage

  • Simple and compact data preparation

  • Your offers are added to our already maintained products

  • Based on good availability and attractive prices, you can generate sales with little initial effort

Your advantage

  • You expand your range of products available for purchase on Digitec Galaxus and thus exploit your full potential.

  • As long as there are no offers from other partners, you appear as the sole supplier

  • You benefit from the full power of our platform (performance marketing, retargeting, newsletter, recommender, etc.)

  • Your products can be automatically optimised by the inclusion of features from other partners

Your advantage

  • Your offers appear in the product selection and are not filtered out due to a lack of specifications.

  • Your products are easier to find and thus receive increased visibility

  • You increase your sales (with each missing specification the conversion decreases by 12%)


SAMPLE FILES

For quick and efficient preparation of your files, we offer you ready-made template files for your integration model. Pay attention to the model and the data type. The templates are available for all variants with Minimal or Extended content.

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FEEDCHECKER

For support in feed preparation, we provide our partner with the Feedchecker from Galaxus. The Feedchecker checks the individual created files for structural and content-related correctness. The output of the check is an Excel file with suggestions for improvement. In addition to the overview, it is also possible to see on a product basis which attributes still need to be adapted or supplemented. Details and corresponding instructions can be found in chapter 7.

7 Feedchecker for Partners

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DATA STRUCTURE

We recommend transmitting the price data and inventory data separately from the other master data, as this allows different upload frequencies to be configured and makes data processing less error-prone. The partner's article number (provider key) must be in the leading column of each data sheet to enable the allocation of the data sheets.

Stage 1 creates the basis for the other stages. Thus, the goal is that the files don’t have to be adapted for the following stages.

Illustration 1: Recommended data structure by stage

Further information and details on the recommended data splits will be given in the individual stages.

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DATA TRANSMISSION

There are different ways to exchange data. Basically, we prefer automated exports with constant data quality. This enables us to present your products optimally and offer new products to our customers as quickly as possible. Furthermore, the processing effort and the sources of error can be minimised in this way.

Galaxus distinguishes between direct and indirect data transmission. Direct data transfer means that the data is loaded directly from the partner onto the FTP as an export or manual file. Indirect data transfer is when the data is transferred to Galaxus via middleware or a third-party provider.

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Illustration 2: Data transmission

As an alternative to file export via FTP server, web service connections can also be implemented. As of today, API connections are not yet supported.

Further information on web service connections, manual access to the exported data on the FTP and manual product data processing can be found in the following subsection:

4 Data Transmission

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TECHNICAL DATA PROCESSING

Automated processes enable us to efficiently process large quantities of product data. The basic principle is simple: the files supplied by the partner are imported and prepared for the integration processes. Subsequently, all brands, categories and specifications transmitted by the partner are compared with our existing data records in a semi-automated process and assigned if they match. After the assignment, the system automatically creates the finished products for our online shop and regularly updates the price and availability data.

Digitec Galaxus / Galaxus Deutschland works with static product data. This means that only price and availability data is updated with every change. Product information such as title, images, description and specifications are applied once and remain static thereafter. Adjustments must be communicated to the responsible person for you so that the data can be updated. Digitec Galaxus / Galaxus Deutschland independently revises and optimises products according to relevance in the shop.

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IMPORT MONITORING AND ERROR HANDLING

During operation, Digitec Galaxus continuously checks the data supplied. Technical errors are sent to the initially specified general contact person. Content-related and structural problems are communicated by automated e-mails from the sender address pdi@digitecgalaxus.ch.

The e-mail contains either a text with a description of the error or a ZIP file in the attachment which contains the detailed error and a description of the solution. The communication is in English.

All details can be found in subchapter 8 Troubleshooting of active datafeeds.

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