New online store with crossbase API

Thanks to all its functionality and universality, the crossbase solution was a key driving force in transforming our corporate website into a true, powerful e-commerce tool.

Benjamin Juster
Product Data Manager, KS Tools SAS

KS Tools SAS has integrated the crossbase API into its Magento-based store solution to provide comprehensive product information from a central data source. The solution enables efficient management and provision of product categories and details based on an existing print catalog structure.

Initial situation

The French company KS Tools SAS opted for an independent installation of the crossbase PIM system in order to free itself from the previous shared use with its German sister company. This decision was made because the French product range differs considerably from the German product range and KS Tools SAS focuses on geographically different target markets. Following the implementation of the crossbase PIM system, catalog production, e-commerce data transfers and the website connection via crossbase API were successively implemented on the basis of the French product range.

Procedure

An online catalog with Magento was implemented so that customers can also access the approximately 20,000 items online with their product information such as features, texts and images. The product categories in the online catalog are maintained directly via the marketing structure in the crossbase PIM system, which in turn was built on the basis of the proven print catalog with approx. 600 pages.

The entire structure of this print catalog, including the compilation of tables of article variants, was automatically transferred to the marketing structure in a first step. Article tables with all variants of a product were then generated from print tables.

The marketing structure was then expanded in conjunction with the API server so that entire sections with categories, subcategories and linked articles can be referenced multiple times within the structure. This functionality made it possible to create "cross-references" and significantly reduce the maintenance effort for the structure. In addition to the assortment control of the derived articles, there is an additional control in crossbase PIM/MAM for releasing individual media files for display with the articles.

Result

The new online catalog has significantly improved the purchasing process and increased customer satisfaction. The standardized Excel exports enable efficient data provision for e-commerce and simple integration into external systems. Overall, a modern, flexible online catalog was created that is equipped for future requirements.

Advantages

• • Always up-to-date and consistent product information thanks to direct API connection
  • Clear navigation in the online catalog through categories and application areas
  • Search function with direct full-text search
  • Seamless order transfer to the ERP system for an optimized workflow