Always up-to-date data in the online catalog with minimal maintenance effort
With the crossbase API, we can now deliver the product information from the PIM to our website even better. This means that the online catalog is always up to date with minimal effort.
Tom Ruegenberg
Marketing, Gebr. Kemper GmbH + Co. KG
Tom Ruegenberg
Marketing, Gebr. Kemper GmbH + Co. KG
Böblingen, 13.02.2024: KEMPER has been working successfully with the crossbase software solution for many years. Projects to further optimize the application and make even better use of it are constantly arising. In this case, the crossbase API interface was implemented at KEMPER.
Initial situation
Kemper was using an XML interface based on BMECat to transfer product information from the crossbase PIM to the website and the online catalog it contains. As part of a redesign, the online agency TWT was commissioned to design and implement the new website. It was decided to replace the old BMECat interface with crossbase's API interface.
The FirstSpirit content management system (CMS) used by Kemper is connected via crossbase's REST API services. All relevant product information is managed in the crossbase PIM and DAM, and transmitted to the CMS in a scheduled manner.
In the online catalog, product information is extracted from the crossbase database:
- product specifications,
- product texts, illustrations, technical drawings,
- other images, documents, etc.
- indication of existing standards and approvals,
- links, e.g. to the pdod.de portal, which are also dynamically generated.
For texts, KEMPER uses the option of text generation, e.g. for product description texts. These are broken down into individual document modules, which can then be used for different products. This minimizes translation work, as text elements only need to be translated once.
Country management is carried out via crossbase's Channel Output Management (COM). Assortments and price lists are generated according to market and country.
Benefits
- The interface is based on modern REST-API technology, currently the most common interface format.
- Individual adaptations are easily implemented, and API services can be customized.
- Language and country control is possible.
- The API interface can also be used for other systems
Solution details
Product group view in the online catalog
Product view: Summary with photos and graphics
Product view: The product features are generated from text modules. The texts for the links are also generated in crossbase. The database also provides graphics, features, etc.
The crossbase solution also maps product relationships, such as spare parts and accessories, and delivers them to the online catalog
The application modules and further information
The KEMPER company
KEMPER is a global market leader in the fields of building technology, casting technology and rolled products. The central company headquarters and production site in Olpe is supported by sales offices in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the United Kingdom, the United States, China and Singapore.
The core business is expanded by affiliated subsidiaries. In the area of rolled products, this is Profiltech Stufenbandprofile GmbH in Keltern, which manufactures high-precision profiled strips. The planning expertise in building technology is rounded off by Dendrit Haustechnik-Software GmbH in Dülmen.
Find out more about how KEMPER uses the possibilities offered by crossbase: