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ITW

PIM integration

ITW Illinois Tool Wear stands as a global leader in providing innovative solutions for industrial tool wear challenges. With a rich history of excellence and a commitment to delivering exceptional results, ITW Illénior Tool Wear has become synonymous with precision, reliability, and efficiency in the industrial sector. 

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Tech stack

Inriver PIM 

Umbraco 

Challenge

ITW's website complex consisted of an Umbraco CMS, InRiver as a PIM, and an additional ETL/PIM system, which aimed to be an integration engine across the data model.

The site was delivered and maintained by 3-4 different digital partners, leading to significant operational and performance challenges for ITW, as well as a large backlog of unresolved issues and features. The solution comprised 12 domains across four languages and many country versions, based on a complex data model with a somewhat uncertain and inflexible on-prem hosting setup.

Overall, ITW's digital setup, including the solution, processes, and suppliers, was simply overly complicated and ineffective, which was the starting point for our collaboration.

Due to the complexity of being a large company, many stakeholders and much IT legacy, the PIM project was a big technology project, but also a big change management project.

1. Data Complexity: ITW deals with a diverse range of industrial tools and materials, each with its own set of attributes, specifications, and variants. Managing this vast amount of product data and ensuring its accuracy, consistency, and completeness within the PIM system can be challenging.

2. Integration with Existing Systems: ITW likely has various existing systems and databases, including ERP systems, manufacturing software, and supply chain management tools. Integrating these systems with the new PIM solution to ensure seamless data flow and consistency across the organization can be complex and time-consuming.

3. Multi-language and Multi-regional Support: ITW operates globally, serving customers in multiple regions and languages. Configuring the PIM system to support different languages, currencies, units of measurement, and regulatory requirements across various markets can present significant challenges.

4. Complex Product Relationships: ITW's products may have complex hierarchical relationships, dependencies, and compatibility requirements. Mapping and managing these relationships within the PIM system to ensure accurate product associations and cross-selling opportunities can be daunting.

5. User Adoption and Training: Introducing a new PIM system requires comprehensive user training and change management initiatives to ensure smooth adoption by employees across different departments and regions. Resistance to change and a lack of understanding of the system's benefits can hinder adoption and productivity.

6. Data Governance and Security: Maintaining data integrity, security, and compliance with industry regulations (such as GDPR or CCPA) is critical, especially when dealing with sensitive product information. Implementing robust data governance policies and security measures within the PIM system to protect confidential information and prevent unauthorized access is essential.

7. Scalability and Future Growth: As ITW continues to expand its product portfolio and global presence, scalability becomes a crucial consideration. The PIM system must be scalable enough to accommodate future growth, additional product lines, and evolving business requirements without sacrificing performance or usability.

My team and I are incredibly pleased with Kruso's work. It's been a significant improvement, and Kruso has demonstrated in-depth knowledge within Umbraco, InRiver, hosting, and web.

- Antoine Demeusy, Head of European Product Database (PIM) and Websites, ITW Construction Products

Implementation process

We quickly recognize the critical importance of meticulous planning, strategic execution, and comprehensive support throughout the implementation process in this project. Therefore we boiled the focus points in the implementation down to 3 key pointers.

Implementation key focus points;

Holistic Integration Strategy: Developing a comprehensive integration strategy is crucial. It involves identifying all relevant systems and data sources, prioritizing integration points, and establishing seamless data exchange mechanisms between the PIM system and other enterprise systems like ERP, CRM, and e-commerce platforms.

Data Synchronization: Ensuring real-time data synchronization between systems is paramount for maintaining data consistency and accuracy across the organization. Implementing robust integration protocols and monitoring mechanisms helps detect and resolve data synchronization issues promptly.

Data Quality:

Data Cleansing and Enrichment: Prior to migration, conducting thorough data cleansing and enrichment processes is essential. This involves identifying and rectifying inconsistencies, inaccuracies, and redundancies in product data to ensure high-quality data integrity within the PIM system.

Data Governance Framework: Establishing a robust data governance framework is critical for maintaining data quality over time. Defining data standards, validation rules, and quality metrics, along with assigning clear roles and responsibilities for data management, helps uphold data integrity and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Internal Enablement (Before, During, and After):

Pre-Implementation Training: Providing comprehensive training and educational resources to stakeholders before the PIM implementation begins is vital. This ensures that employees understand the purpose, benefits, and functionalities of the PIM system, fostering buy-in and enthusiasm for the upcoming changes.

During Implementation Support: Offering continuous support and guidance during the implementation phase is essential for minimizing disruptions and maximizing user adoption. Providing access to dedicated support channels, conducting regular check-ins, and addressing user concerns promptly helps mitigate resistance and ensures a smooth transition.

Post-Implementation Optimization: Implementing a post-implementation optimization plan is crucial for maximizing the long-term value of the PIM system. This involves conducting regular reviews, soliciting feedback from users, and identifying opportunities for process improvement and system enhancements to address evolving business needs effectively.

Important outcome

Operational Efficiency 

The PIM implementation has resulted in significant improvements in operational efficiency across the organization. By seamlessly integrating the PIM system with existing enterprise systems. ITW has optimized data synchronization, streamlined processes, and reduced manual efforts. As a result, employees can access accurate, up-to-date product information in real-time, enabling faster decision-making and improved productivity. 

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