More businesses recognize today that rich and accurate product information, presented consistently to the end customer at all points of sales is a key strategic advantage that cannot be ignored.

But sales channels and media are evolving. For example, many companies that previously only utilized print catalogs, are now using a Web catalog as well.
Customers and channel partners are demanding that the product information be supplied or presented in a rich, accurate and digital format.

In most cases, these companies' back-end processes and systems are not adequate or scalable to address these multi-channel catalog requirements.

Consider how long it takes to update a web-site with the latest product information. This can be a slow and cumbersome process because it typically involves IT or an external web-design company.

Why does it take so long to create a catalog?
The creation of a catalog involves two distinctly different processes - the design of the catalog brand (look-and-feel) and the management of the product information (content, product specifications, copy and images) that goes into the catalog. Inefficiencies are abundant when these two get mixed.

For example, a simple product specification change would traditionally be communicated to both the print designer and the IT department (web). Data is updated 'in the channel' - at the specific catalog media - using a desktop publishing tool and web page editor. This poses problems:

See how Apsiva creates efficiencies in catalog management