Case Study
A national foodservice distributor struggled with fragmented product data across 400,000+ SKUs, causing compliance risks, supplier onboarding delays, and inconsistent customer experiences across multiple channels.
DataCatalyst deployed lean expert teams using our proprietary Accelerate methodology to implement a comprehensive PIM solution with automated workflows, GDSN integration, and enterprise-wide governance.
Achieved 60% reduction in manual catalog maintenance and error correction, streamlined supplier onboarding from weeks to days, and established a single source of truth for all product data.
A leading national foodservice distributor serving more than 250,000 B2B customers faced mounting pressure to deliver accurate, compliant product information across their vast portfolio of over 400,000 SKUs spanning frozen, refrigerated, ambient, and non-food categories.
The distributor’s data challenges were creating operational chaos. SKU information was scattered across disconnected ERP systems, supplier portals, and category spreadsheets, making it impossible to maintain data integrity. Critical expiry dates and shelf-life attributes varied inconsistently across systems, creating significant compliance risks. The complexity was amplified by managing both national brand products and multiple private-label lines, each requiring different attribute sets and validation rules.
Product bundling presented another layer of complexity, with meal kits, combo packs, and seasonal assortments represented inconsistently across catalogs. Meanwhile, regulatory requirements for allergen declarations, ingredient disclosures, and FDA/USDA labeling were captured haphazardly, exposing the business to compliance violations. Supplier collaboration suffered from time-consuming onboarding processes and inconsistent adoption of GDSN standards.
The distributor required a transformational approach to establish order from chaos. They needed a unified platform capable of managing the full spectrum of foodservice product complexity while supporting their diverse customer base of distributors, restaurant chains, and institutional buyers.
Critical requirements included standardizing nutritional, allergen, packaging, and regulatory attributes across all food products. The solution had to seamlessly handle both GDSN-compliant and non-GDSN supplier data while supporting omnichannel distribution across mobile ordering apps, eCommerce portals, sales catalogs, and customer service systems. Speed to market for new SKUs was essential, along with a dramatic reduction in compliance risk.
DataCatalyst deployed our signature lean team model – combining seasoned business consultants with technical experts – to execute our proprietary Accelerate methodology. This business-driven approach ensured requirements were defined by operational needs rather than technology constraints.
Our team conducted comprehensive data profiling to identify inconsistencies in expiry dates, allergen fields, and private label attribute sets. Working collaboratively with the client’s stakeholders, we designed an enterprise-wide product data model supporting storage conditions, expiration tracking, and complex bundle relationships. The design phase prioritized requirements based on business impact, enabling rapid MVP delivery focused on the most critical pain points.
DataCatalyst implemented a robust Product Information Management platform that created true order from chaos. The solution established a comprehensive attribute taxonomy for nutrition, allergens, and product claims, while building sophisticated bundling logic for combo packs, kitted products, and promotional groupings.
We designed dual supplier onboarding streams: automated GDSN synchronization for compliant suppliers and guided workflows for traditional suppliers. The platform integrated seamlessly with existing ERP and warehouse management systems while feeding harmonized data into all digital sales channels. Governance workflows were established for product creation, enrichment, approval, and publishing, with data stewards positioned across merchandising, quality assurance, and supply chain functions.
The implementation transformed how the distributor managed product information across their entire ecosystem. Data quality rules now automatically validate completeness, expiry accuracy, and regulatory fields before any product goes live. Harmonized expiry and batch tracking data flows seamlessly between ERP and supplier systems, while regulatory attributes maintain completeness across tens of thousands of SKUs.
The platform elegantly handles the complexity of bundles and kitted products for promotions and seasonal offerings, while managing rapid SKU churn with streamlined processes for new product introductions and delistings. Product data stewards now operate within clear governance frameworks that maintain data integrity without slowing business velocity.
The transformation supported substantial operational improvements:
The ROI drivers include dramatically reduced regulatory compliance risk, increased digital sales conversion through accurate product content, faster time-to-market for new suppliers and private label launches, and lower costs for catalog production and order error correction.
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With their robust PIM foundation established, the distributor is positioned to leverage their high-quality product data for strategic advantage. The platform provides the data infrastructure necessary for advanced analytics, AI-driven recommendations, and potential data monetization opportunities.
The standardized product information and governance frameworks create the foundation for expanding into new channels, enhancing customer experiences, and driving operational excellence across their growing foodservice ecosystem.