Managing product information at Bata Industrials was becoming increasingly challenging. With over 140 attributes per product—including specifications on measurements, materials, safety certifications, and logistics—the company relied on a massive Excel file known as the "Product Data Source File." However, this system led to multiple inefficiencies:

• Data inconsistencies: The sheer volume of information made it difficult to maintain data accuracy, with errors easily creeping in due to manual processes.
• Limited accessibility: Different teams relied on their own working documents rather than the central source, leading to inconsistencies across publications.
• Scalability concerns: As Bata Industrials expanded, so did the number of publications, including presentations, product sheets, price lists, and websites, all localized in multiple languages. Managing these efficiently became a growing concern.
• Emerging needs: The company's move into D2C and its increasing focus on sustainability (such as the introduction of Materials Passports) required a more structured and automated approach to product data management.

Recognizing these challenges, the company sought a PIM solution that would serve as a single source of truth, enforce internal consistency, and support scalability.

We were looking for a PIM that had the friendliest user interface possible because we wanted more than just marketing to use it. KatanaPIM stood out in this regard.
Kenneth Freichmann | Digital experience & ecommerce lead at Bata Industrials

KatanaPIM transformed Bata Industrials' approach to product data management. By implementing the PIM system, the company gained a centralized and structured product data model, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy.

Key improvements:

• Consistency across publications: Changes to product specifications are first made in KatanaPIM, ensuring all stakeholders work with up-to-date data.
• Standardized terminology: The company established a clear taxonomy for product attributes, eliminating inconsistent terminology.
• Improved usability: KatanaPIM’s specification groups allowed Bata Industrials to present data in a scannable and structured way, enhancing the user experience across all touchpoints.

Having a single source of truth has taught us the value of a structured product data model with a well-defined taxonomy. This has minimized inconsistencies and made data management more efficient.
Kenneth Freichmann | Digital experience & ecommerce lead at Bata Industrials

After a thorough selection process, KatanaPIM stood out due to its balance of ease of use, comprehensive data management capabilities, and cost-effectiveness.

Implementing KatanaPIM is just the beginning of Bata Industrials’ digital transformation journey. With a structured data model in place, the company is now working towards automating the creation and updates of catalogs &  product sheets. This efficiency gain will allow for greater consistency and speed in content delivery. Another major focus is enhancing the service level for B2B customers. By using PIM for personalized data delivery, Bata Industrials aims to provide product information in each customer’s preferred format, making them a more efficient and preferred partner within their distribution network. Additionally, the next phase of implementation includes onboarding R&D and marketing teams directly into the system, followed by a global rollout to regional teams. Expanding PIM usage across the company will further ensure streamlined workflows and seamless data management.

With every proof point of efficiency gained, it becomes easier to showcase the value of a PIM to stakeholders and drive adoption across our global teams.
Kenneth Freichmann | Digital experience & ecommerce lead at Bata Industrials

Bata Industrials is on a mission to optimize its product data management and elevate service levels across its distributor network. With KatanaPIM as a cornerstone of this strategy, the company is well-positioned to scale efficiently, maintain data integrity, and support its ambitious growth plans.