The Pimcore project undertaken by SICAME arose from the desire to ensure that information about the Group’s products and services actually reaches the customer in a uniform way. At a time when the Group is growing continuously and is facing increasing numbers of its customers’ business activities, here is an overview of progress with PIMCORE (Product Information Management). 

Until then, each subsidiary managed its catalogues using CAP software (Computer-Aided Publication). This solution was very responsive but encountered limits with an offer of tens of thousands of products aimed a very varied markets, and uncertainties about the actual updating of information. Something simple with a single catalogue becomes complicated with tens of catalogues, some of which are produced abroad. Another question raised is how to offer a real ‘SICAME Group’ product range suited to the need of one particular customer? In big catalogues such as for SICAME International that, in more than 600 pages, consolidated the Group’s core products, the customer had an overview of the most commonly used generic products, but not of the products most appropriate to their networks. These catalogues are supplemented by documents that cloud understanding of the product ranges. Finally, it was necessary to review the e-presence aspect, particularly the near-absence of product data sheets, a feature offered by some subsidiaries without being linked to a common database, leading to input errors or updating omissions.

Global range, local offer 

The Pimcore project aims to put the customer back at the centre of media presenting the SICAME offer, by creating a single catalogue, suited to its market segment and combining offerings from the Group’s business units. The goal is to implement the idea of a ‘global range, local offer’. The information must be accessible, even personalised, in all forms, paper, internet, mobile, video; this is a major expectation of the sales teams. Other ambitions targeted: more centralised management of product information to ensure brochures are updated, information is protected and safeguarded by consolidating and storing information and associated documents on a protected server. Finally, the Pimcore system makes it possible to manage and create catalogues in several languages. 

A first catalogue was created for CEGERS TOOLS and will be updated this year. This pilot enabled the software (Pimcore, Easy-Catalog and InDesign) to be validated, and has been presented to the other SBUs and subsidiaries. The Distribution SBU, which started the project, is rolling it out for all ranges. A large number of subsidiaries has their data p r e - c o m p l e t e d . The Safety and Connections & Tooling SBUs are going to join the project.