Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

New hybris platform offers consistent product communication across all online and offline channels

•Completely revamped solution for centralised, media-independent Product Information Management
•More effective online shops provide a more personalised shopping experience
•Cutting-edge PIM for ecommerce and multi-channel retailing

Munich – 27 November 2007: Product Information Management (PIM) and ecommerce specialist hybris today unveiled version 3.0 of its Product Communication Platform. The platform comprises the hybris PIM Suite, Commerce Suite and Print Suite; the latest versions offer new functions for even better product catalogue management in an international environment.

Benefits include simplified data maintenance, greater data availability for media master data and coordinated integration of all distribution channels. These enhancements will ensure that businesses boast consistent product communication across all types of media.

Technological enhancements include simplified integration into existing IT systems through streamlined development based around Java 5 features, accelerated implementation through standard industry templates such as Java Server Faces (JSF) and a more lightweight architecture. The first projects involving the latest version have already been completed and others are underway for such firms as Dangaard, Virgin Megastores, Kendrion, Berner and SIKA.

Said Ariel Ludi, Chief Executive Officer of hybris: “The enhancements to our product range will strengthen our customers’ business competitiveness in today’s increasingly fast-paced marketplace. ecommerce is becoming ever more sophisticated and those companies that can give their customers powerful tools will go from strength to strength. “

PIM powers ecommerce

The new product communication platform was specially designed to stay abreast of the latest developments in the areas of ecommerce and multi-channel retailing. Constantly expanding catalogues can be conveniently managed, ensuring that customers receive consistent, up-to-date product information at all times whether shopping in shops, online or via mail order catalogue. A wide range of search and navigation options, comparisons of complex and/or technical products, upselling, cross selling and high-quality, consistent product communication across different web sites -- all these things are made easier with hybris' centralised, media-independent PIM platform. In addition, master content can be used worldwide for international web sites involving differing content and market specifics, saving money and reducing complexity.

ecommerce enhancements

•Online shops can be upgraded to state-of-the-art industry standards and re-launched using StoreFoundation templates. Templates provide an extensive range of standard functionalities for rapid project implementation. Functions such as guided selling and integrated rich client user interfaces with AJAX ensure a high level of user-friendliness. In addition, an integrated Content Management System (CMS) makes managing text content easier. An intuitive website live-edit mode makes for ease of operation.

•A promotions module allows online shop hosts to emphasise particular products and communicate special promotions to specific customer segments. The module provides a range of tools for aligning shopping experience with marketing strategy. Marketing managers can now directly implement offers like free express delivery with minimum purchase and ‘buy X get Y free’ deals amongst many others.

•An integrated e-mail marketing system improves customer retention with regular personalised e-mails and promotional bulletins as a low-cost means for addressing existing and prospective customers. Online shop visitors may be given the option of signing up for themed mailing lists, or the shop operator may adopt an active customer communications approach. Personalised e-mails deliver attractive product recommendations and coupons via direct deep links to the webshop product site.

Product Information Management (PIM) enhancements

Online shop operators can benefit from the simplified management of large databases and high data quality afforded by the new hybris Product Communication Platform 3.0. In addition to improved user-friendliness, the latest Product Information Management (PIM) enhancements include the following sales-supporting functions:

•simple mass data maintenance

•support for a wide range of classification standards

•workflow management for controlled data editing and approval processes

•user-friendly interfaces with rich client browser feel through context menus, AJAX and drag & drop

•role-specific user interface customisation to facilitate specific user workflows

•tools for improving data quality, thus reducing manual corrections and process errors due to incorrect information

•import/export tool allows cost-efficient integration of PIM into other systems through improved interface modification and maintenance

Another new feature is the Media Asset Management (MAM) tool for managing, naming and sorting image files. Implementing media master data as part of product data communications creates a single authoritative source for calling up images in any format (and converting as needed) -- eliminating that chaotic jumble of different image formats for every channel and purpose. Benefits include greater control, transparent processes and a consistent basis of data.

The new eventing system provides automatic notifications for such purposes as informing sales personnel when certain predefined events occur. Product price or delivery time changes for example can be immediately communicated, allowing prompt response with high data quality through automatic validation.

Technological enhancements

The new lightweight architecture of the Product Communication Platform 3.0 makes development simpler and faster, affording improved performance and testability. The platform supports the now popular and high-performing Apache Tomcat 6 freeware application server in addition to JBoss, Oracle and Websphere. The new Apache CXF web services framework can be seamlessly integrated into numerous systems – including service-oriented architectures (SOAs). The LDAP interface allows flawless integration of various applications under single user sign-on, eliminating the need for repeat logins when switching among applications.

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NOTE TO EDITORS

About hybris

hybris supplies standard software solutions for the media-independent management of product information and its distribution over both online and print channels.

Manufacturers, vendors, marketplace operators and purchasing companies consolidate and manage their entire product information in every language on one platform, in the process creating a “single source of truth”. Enterprises are able to supply online and print channels with information from this central hub. Integrated solutions for catalogue management, ecommerce, e-procurement and database publishing provide you with personalised and channel-specific data recycling throughout all electronic procurement and sales channels. This also means that print catalogues can be published without media fragmentation.

The hybris solution’s integrative approach to managing and recycling product information leads to a reduction in process costs, clearing the path for companies to add new sales and procurement markets at low cost. The return on investment with hybris is very fast. As hybris has selected to use standards-based and future-proof basic technologies in its solutions, investments are secure over the long term.

Established in 1997, the company is based in Munich and has offices in the UK, Benelux, Denmark and Switzerland, with over 1,000 customers worldwide.

For further info:

Michele Bayliss
Ascendant Communications
Tel: 01273 475672
Email: mbayliss@ascendcomms.net