Electrical wholesaling, like distribution and retailing in every sector, is about buying, stocking, selling and delivering products. So it stands to reason that the product data in your computer system is a key factor in the success of the business. But while wholesalers are prepared to invest in computer hardware and software, few give the same consideration to their product data strategy. Here’s why they should.

2. An incorrect catalogue number or inadequate
description may mean that trade counter staff can’t
find the product in the system or the warehouse.
An incorrect trade price or unit of measure may
mean that orders are lost, products sold at a loss or
invoiced incorrectly leading to delays in payment.
This may be going on for months before the problem
is identified and corrected, at a significant cost
to your business. Core product data is vital to
maintaining the profitability of your business.
1Poor quality product
data costs money

3. For wholesalers who choose to subscribe to an extensive product and price database
there are significant gains beyond simply keeping your stock file up-to-date.
Access to price and availability of thousands of
products outside your normal stock profile enables
you to respond and fulfil more diverse enquiries
Availability of a wide range of product
Core product data is vital to maintaining
the profitability of your business.
2Good quality product
data makes money

4. Good quality product data is essential to maximise
return on your software investment.
Your data provider should:
Have the flexibility to cope with
bespoke requirements.
Be willing to adjust data structure and
format to suit the individual needs of
different software packages.
Have experience and expertise in
your industrys.
3Maximise return on
your software investment

5. Electrical wholesalers are under increasing pressure to offer e-commerce channels
to their customers alongside traditional trade counter services.
Inaccurate product data is a key barrier to
e-commerce success.
Third party product data goes a long way towards
overcoming this problem as it shares a common
coding structure with the data used by electrical
contractors - putting you in pole position to
respond when your customers ask for electronic
discount terms data, purchase order facilities
and invoices.
4Create the bedrock for
successful e-commerce

6. Trading data and content for your website
are two sides of the same coin.
Select your data provider carefully and you
will find a lot of core data can be re-used
on your website.
Additional data you will need at the core
of your catalogue may also be available
including pictures, 360° images, technical
specifications, safety data sheets and lists
of additional related products etc.
5Create the bedrock for
successful e-commerce