Brammer uses Heiler Software as a strategic PIM platform

Technical wholesaler introduces automated catalog creation across the company

London, 19th October 2007 ---- The Brammer Group has opted for a Product Information Management (PIM) solution from Heiler Software. It will be used as a strategic platform for automated creation of the group’s new main catalogs. Europe’s largest specialist dealer in drive components, fluid technology and seals is made up of eleven separate companies and wants to publish its entire product range in a single printed catalog for the first time. The aim is to increase awareness of the brand name. The Heiler PIM solution will be integrated into the existing SAP and IBM Master Data Management (MDM) system environment. It will be used to prepare the product information maintained in IBM WebSphere Product Center for printing and to automatically create the main catalogs.

While the Brammer Group previously published its expanding product range predominantly in different manufacturer catalogs, there was a growing demand in the national subsidiaries for a single printed catalog. The hope is that this will strengthen customer loyalty and promote market growth. The German company emerged as the pioneer for the international PIM project – they will be publishing the first main catalog using the new PIM software next year.

From the various PIM solutions available on the market, Brammer opted for Heiler’s PPM Premium Product Manager for handling its electronic product information and PMP Print Media Publisher for automatically creating product catalogs. “What impressed us most was the user-friendly interface and the exceptional scalability of the Heiler solutions”, explains Jochen Diehm, Managing Director of Brammer Deutschland. “The possibilities for expansion fit perfectly with our desire to extend the PIM project to the entire Group.”

Another factor in favor of the Heiler solutions was that they have certified standard interfaces with both the existing SAP and IBM systems. Heiler PPM Premium Product Manager supplements the IBM master data management solution by providing the necessary output component. Heiler Software AG is an IBM Independent Software Vendor (ISV) partner. The two companies are currently in the process of expanding their co-operation in master data management. “IBM customers who use WebSphere Product Center will find that the Heiler portfolio includes the appropriate expansions for Product Information Management, electronic catalogs and Media Asset Management”, says Frank Schmidt, Sales and Marketing Director at Heiler Software AG.

“The Brammer Group’s decision is a further demonstration that we can offer specialist wholesalers the ideal strategic platform for effectively and economically preparing their product information for the required sales channels”, says Chairman Rolf J. Heiler. “The possibility of publishing product information in various languages and currencies also makes our PIM suite perfect for international use.” In the initial phase, around ten marketing staff at Brammer Deutschland will use the PIM platform from Heiler Software. The German project is the first stage of a possible international rollout.

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