Automation of product catalog generation

See how, for a leader in the fastener industry, we created a solution to everyday operational difficulties

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Marcopol is the undisputed leader in the European market of manufacturers and distributors of fasteners.

The daily management of a huge product database, comprising over 531,000 active products organized into more than 2,600 dedicated product groups, was a logistical and operational challenge. Such a large scale of the offer required not only central product information management (PIM), but also an efficient and automated way of publishing it – especially in the form of product catalogs, which continue to play a key role in communication with B2B customers.

As the offer grew dynamically, the number of language versions needed to serve international markets increased, and distribution channels expanded, the traditional manual process of preparing PDF catalogs and key technical documents became increasingly time-consuming, costly, and, most importantly, prone to errors. Business process automation and digital transformation became a significant need

Marcopol decided to undergo digital transformation and process automation in this area. We proposed the implementation of advanced solutions based on the Pimcore system. The goal was not only to centralize product data management, but above all to develop a set of tools for generating technical documents such as Safety Data Sheets and Declarations of Conformity using the Pimcore system.

LemonMind was the technology partner responsible for implementing these solutions and providing SLA support.

Challenges: Inconsistency and time-consuming process of preparing documentation and catalogs

Manual preparation of catalogs and technical documents, involving many resources and prone to errors.

The main challenge was the manual preparation of catalogs and technical documents. This process, involving many human resources – from tedious data collection from multiple sources, through verification, to time-consuming graphic design – was not only inefficient but also generated a high risk of errors. Every minor update required repeating many steps, which became paralyzing on the scale of such an extensive product portfolio.

Lack of data consistency between systems (ERP, Excel spreadsheets, graphic files, printed PDFs).

Product information was scattered across multiple locations: the ERP system, numerous Excel spreadsheets, dedicated graphic files, and previously printed PDFs. Such fragmentation of data inevitably led to inconsistencies, made it difficult to maintain a single, up-to-date and reliable version of the truth about the product, and generated a real risk of publishing outdated or incorrect information, which could have had negative consequences for B2B customer relations.

Difficulties in updating product data and publishing it quickly in multiple languages.

As the product range grew and expanded into new foreign markets, the need for efficient translation management and adaptation of materials to the specific needs of local markets became an increasingly pressing challenge. Existing manual processes were unable to provide the necessary dynamism and flexibility in this area.

Limited ability to respond to changes in the product range or legal requirements.

The launch of a new product, modification of the technical parameters of the existing range, or the need for urgent updates to certificates and declarations of conformity involved a lengthy and complicated process of updating all related marketing and technical materials. This, in turn, delayed the introduction of key changes to the market and limited the company's ability to respond quickly to customer needs and dynamic market conditions.

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Olgierd Mrozik

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Solution: An integrated ecosystem of tools based on Pimcore

In response to complex challenges, LemonMind, as an experienced technology partner responsible for comprehensive implementation and subsequent SLA support, designed and implemented three independent but closely integrated and interoperable tools for Marcopol. All these solutions were based on the flexible Pimcore platform, which became the central system for product information management (PIM) and digital asset management (DAM). This approach ensured not only data consistency but also unprecedented efficiency of publishing processes.

The projects implemented by LemonMind as part of its development and SLA services included:

Expansion of the product data structure in Pimcore (PIM) specifically for the purpose of generating catalogs, data sheets, and declarations.

Configuration of mechanisms for automatic PDF generation directly from documents in the Pimcore system.

Pełną integrację z modułem DAM (Digital Asset Management) do efektywnego zarządzania zdjęciami produktowymi i innymi zasobami cyfrowymi.

Development of three independent PDF editors that enable intuitive assignment of products to specific pages, dynamic retrieval of current data, and, if necessary, contextual overwriting of selected information exclusively for the purposes of the generated PDF file.

Implementation of a mechanism for automatic creation of feature tables that update dynamically when a new feature is added to a product in the PIM system.

Implemented document generation automation tools:

Catalogue ToolsWorld:

Więcej

Safety Data Sheets:

Więcej

Declarations of Conformity:

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Catalogue ToolsWorld

This advanced, dedicated tool has been developed to enable the quick and fully automated generation of thematic product catalogs in PDF format. Key data, such as detailed descriptions, technical parameters, available variants, professional product photos, and application information, are automatically retrieved in real time directly from the central PIM database. This guarantees that they are 100% up-to-date and consistent. The system allows you to instantly create attractive, visually consistent (in line with Marcopol's visual identity) and informative publications for selected tool categories.

Key features and functions of the ToolsWorld Catalog:

Ability to select products from PIM and assign them to specific catalog pages without any interference with the source data.
Fully automated data retrieval: descriptions, technical parameters, variants, product photos.
Dynamic catalog layout: feature tables are generated dynamically based on the attributes and variants assigned to the product. Adding a new feature in PIM automatically results in the addition of a new column in the catalog layout.
PDF document editor allowing preview, page order management, and overwriting of selected data only in the context of a given catalog.
Multilingualism and versioning: the catalog can be published in multiple languages and different product versions.
Document prepared for printing with the option of generating directly from the “Documents” module in Pimcore.
Support for large volumes of data: the tool seamlessly supports multiple product groups and their variants (e.g., different sizes, mounting types, applications).
Full integration with DAM: product photos are automatically downloaded and placed in the catalog in the appropriate sections.
Printed and digital versions: the catalog is generated in print-ready quality, but can also be exported in shortened or personalized versions.
Clear layout and formatting: clear divisions, group descriptions, parameter tables, pictograms, and standardized typography support a professional image.

Zautomatyzuj swoje katalogi

Safety Data Sheets

These key documents in the sales and technical support process for industrial products, containing detailed technical data, performance characteristics, photos, parameter tables, and application descriptions, are now dynamically generated on demand. They are a primary source of information for both B2B customers and internal sales, technical, and after-sales support departments. An advanced tool for generating Safety Data Sheets based on the Pimcore PIM system has been developed for Marcopol, which has completely automated and standardized the process of creating this documentation.

Key features of the Safety Data Sheet implementation:

Integrated with PIM product data: all data needed to generate the sheet (features, descriptions, variants, units, values) comes directly from the product object and its variants in Pimcore, ensuring full automation without manual rewriting.
Selection of variants for publication: a flexible tool allows you to prepare a document tailored to a specific query or customer, with the option of manually selecting which product variants are to be included in the PDF table.
Multilingual PDF documents: Safety Data Sheets are generated in any language thanks to Pimcore's translation mechanisms.
Possibility to limit the number of variants and generate based on subgroups (simply drag the product subgroup from the Pimcore tree into the document).
Dynamic technical parameter table: the table configuration allows you to enable/disable the visibility of variants or features; the table is generated automatically; adding a new feature in PIM results in the immediate appearance of a new column in the PDF.
Automatic insertion of photos from DAM and technical description and application fully managed in PIM.

Zwiększ efektywność B2B

Declarations of Conformity:

As part of the digitization of product documentation, a fully automated solution for generating Declarations of Conformity based on data collected in PIM has been implemented. These certification documents are essential for ensuring compliance with national and international standards and are a key element of technical documentation for customers, especially in export markets.

Key features of the Declaration of Conformity solution:

Data source: Pimcore PIM: all product data (product name, standard number, material, shape, dimensions, mechanical properties) comes from a central repository.
Automatic, dynamic declaration number generation: each new declaration is assigned a unique, automatically incremented number (e.g., 1/25, 2/25), eliminating the need for manual tracking.
Automatic document author substitution: the system inserts the name of the logged-in Pimcore user who generated the document.
Language versions – Polish and English: each declaration can be generated simultaneously in two language versions, with automatic data localization.
PDF with one click: the document is generated immediately and can be previewed, downloaded, and versioned from within the editor.
Storage and versioning: declarations are saved in the Pimcore repository with a full history of changes; the system controls modifications to the source data.

Transformuj dane produktowe

How does the PDF generation process work with Pimcore?

The user selects a document type (catalog, card, declaration) and creates a new entry in the "Documents" module in Pimcore.

Selects products for publication using a dedicated editor.

The data (descriptions, parameters, variants, photos) are automatically downloaded from PIM.

If necessary, it is possible to overwrite the information contextually, only in the PDF document.

The system automatically generates the appropriate page layout, feature tables, descriptions and graphics.

Once approved, the PDF is ready to be downloaded or submitted for printing/submission.

Process transformation and business benefits for Marcopol

The implementation of Pimcore solutions by LemonMind has brought Marcopol not only operational improvements, but above all measurable business benefits and a thorough transformation of its existing publishing processes. One of the most spectacular effects was a drastic reduction in document preparation time. Processes that previously took teams weeks to complete are now completed in just a few hours, and in some cases even minutes. This has directly translated into faster time-to-market and more efficient customer service.

Another fundamental change was the elimination of errors and inconsistencies in product data. By centralizing information in the PIM system and automating generation processes, Marcopol gained confidence that all published materials – from catalogs to declarations of conformity – are based on current, verified, and consistent data. This, in turn, improved the quality of communication with customers and minimized the risk of costly mistakes.

The company has also gained significantly greater flexibility and responsiveness to change. Updating the product range, introducing new technical parameters, and adapting documentation to changing legal or regulatory requirements can now be done in no time. Changes made in PIM are immediately reflected in all related documents, which is invaluable in a dynamic market environment.

The implementation meant full digitization and standardization of the product documentation creation process. A unified workflow, from input data in PIM to a PDF file ready for printing or online publication, ensured full control over the process and its results. This also translates into significant resource savings – operational teams have been relieved of time-consuming manual tasks and can now focus on higher value-added activities such as market analysis and product strategy development.

The professional presentation of the offer is also important. Aesthetic, visually consistent, and always up-to-date marketing and technical materials support Marcopol's image as a modern market leader and facilitate effective communication with B2B customers. The system is fully scalable, ready to handle a growing number of products, variants, and language versions without a proportional increase in workload or costs. An example of this is the ability to generate a fully ready product catalog or a precise data sheet for any of over half a million products in a matter of minutes, with a guarantee that the data is up to date.

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Summary

Marcopol's collaboration with LemonMind and the strategic implementation of advanced product information management and publication automation tools based on the flexible Pimcore platform is a perfect example of how a well-thought-out investment in technology translates into a real, measurable, and long-term competitive advantage. The automation of the process of generating product catalogs, Safety Data Sheets, and Declarations of Conformity is much more than just optimizing operating costs and saving valuable time. It is a fundamental transformation that has radically improved the quality and consistency of product data, strengthened Marcopol's professional image on the international stage, and equipped the company with the tools it needs to grow dynamically in an increasingly demanding and digital business environment.

Thanks to digitization and automation in Pimcore, Marcopol's catalogs are now easily updated after every product data change, can be generated on demand, in multiple languages and different layouts, and the marketing department, sales representatives, and customers have constant, quick access to them. This new flexibility and efficiency enable Marcopol to respond immediately to changes in its product range, introduce new product series, and update standards and materials – which is absolutely crucial in dynamic market conditions. This investment has opened up new and extensive opportunities for the company in terms of personalizing its offering, quickly and precisely adapting to the specific needs of customers in many diverse markets, and further strengthening its position as a leader in the fastener industry.

Is your company also facing the challenge of managing complex product information and wants to achieve similar efficiency, data control, and speed? Let's talk about how Pimcore and LemonMind's specialized expertise can revolutionize your data management processes and automate your publishing workflows, opening up new opportunities for growth.

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Martin Broda

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