ETIM Implementation - does it have to hurt?

Are you wondering how to bring order to the chaos in your company's product data? ETIM (European Technical Information Model) might be exactly what you're looking for. It's an international standard that was created to solve a problem you've probably encountered many times - inconsistent product data and hindered communication between manufacturers, distributors, and customers.

Imagine ETIM as a common technical language. You assign precise characteristics to each product according to a specific structure. It's like filling out a standard form - everyone knows where to enter information and how to interpret it. Let's look at four key elements of this structure.

Product classes

Think of these as drawers in a well-organized workshop - each product goes into the appropriate compartment. You have "Lighting Fixtures," "Electrical Cables," or "Valves" - everything in its place.

Technical features

Each class has its set of characteristics describing the product. You can compare it to a detailed specification sheet. In ETIM, you have four types of attributes:

• numeric attributes (N) - when you need to provide a specific value, e.g., length 100mm
• alphanumeric attributes (A) - when selecting from a list, e.g., color (white, black)
• logical attributes (L) - simple yes/no, e.g., whether the product is waterproof
• range attributes (R) - when specifying a range, e.g., operating temperature -20°C to +50°C

Dictionary values

For alphanumeric attributes, you have a ready-made list of possible values. It's like a selection menu - instead of entering any text, you choose from defined options. For example, for color, you can select "white," "black," or "red."

Units of measurement

ETIM uses uniform units of measurement - no more converting inches to millimeters or pounds to kilograms. Everything is standardized and clear for every participant in the supply chain.

Each of these elements (classes, attributes, dictionary values, and units) has its unique identifier. Here are a few examples:

• EC001370 - "Drilling machine (electric)" class
• EF001950 - "Nominal power consumption" attribute
• EV007019 - "5/8x16 inch UNF" value
• EU571080 - "m/s²" unit

It's like an international postal code - regardless of language, you always know which element is being referenced. This allows companies from different countries to communicate seamlessly and exchange product data.

The world of technology doesn't stand still, and ETIM keeps pace. The latest version - ETIM 10, released in December 2024, represents a real leap forward. What's new in this update? First and foremost, an expanded list of product classes, allowing you to describe your products even more precisely. Additionally, new feature groupings have been introduced, making data better organized and easier to manage.

Perhaps you're wondering about the scale of this system? Let's look at the numbers in ETIM 10.0:

• 5,640 product classes - like having 5,640 precisely described categories for your products
• 17,377 attributes - that many different unique characteristics are used for description
• 16,163 dictionary values - ready options to choose from
• 188 units of measurement - all standard units you need

These impressive numbers show how comprehensive ETIM is. Whether you're in electrical engineering, HVAC, sanitary installations, or construction - you'll find everything you need to precisely describe your products.

Before we dive deeper, it's worth clarifying some common misunderstandings. ETIM is often confused with various IT tools, but the truth is that it's primarily a data model - a framework you can use in your systems. Let's look at what ETIM is not:

Not a data exchange file

ETIM is a classification model, not a file format. Only files in BMEcat (XML) or xChange (JSON) standards can contain information about ETIM classes and attributes. Remember, however, that the presence of ETIM classification in these files is not mandatory - BMEcat and xChange are independent standards that may, but don't have to, contain ETIM attributes.

Not an IT application

ETIM is not a program you can simply install and run. It's a classification model that you must implement in your systems. It's like a recipe - it's not the dish itself, but tells you how to prepare it.

Not a product database

Although ETIM defines the information structure, it doesn't store any product data itself. It's like a library organization plan - it tells you how to arrange books but doesn't contain the books themselves.

Not a catalog creation tool

ETIM won't automatically generate a product catalog for you. It's a standard you can use when creating catalogs, but you need to create the actual catalog using other tools.

Not a product search engine

ETIM itself won't search your product database. However, its structure works great as a foundation for building advanced search systems, e.g., filtering by key attributes.

Not a universal standard for all industries

ETIM works great in technical industries - electrical, HVAC, lighting, or construction. But don't try to apply it to everything - it's not designed for industries like food or clothing.

Not the only classification solution

You'll find other standards in the market, like eCl@ss, GS1, or UNSPSC. ETIM is one of the solutions you can choose depending on your company's needs.

Implementing ETIM is an investment that pays off in many areas. Whether you're a manufacturer or distributor, ETIM can significantly improve your business processes. Here are the main benefits:

Unified data communication

No more misunderstandings! Everyone in the supply chain - from you to the end customer - uses the same precise terms. It's like a common technical language that all market participants understand.

Reduced number of errors

Remember situations when an order went wrong due to ambiguous product descriptions? With ETIM, such problems disappear. Consistent data structure minimizes the risk of order mistakes and specification misinterpretations.

Shorter time to market

Thanks to process automation, new products reach your offer faster. You no longer need to manually create descriptions - just apply the ready ETIM structure.

Better supply chain collaboration

Imagine all your business partners speaking the same technical language. That's what ETIM gives you - it streamlines logistics processes, offering, and resource planning.

Easier integration with PIM and c-commerce systems

ETIM is a standard that you can easily integrate with your product management systems and sales platforms. It's like a universal adapter - fits different systems and facilitates data exchange.

Difficulties with Proper Product Classification

Sometimes finding the right "drawer" for a product can be challenging. Why?

• Class names don't always perfectly match your products
• Your internal categorization may differ from ETIM structure
• One of your products might fit several ETIM classes (and vice versa)

Large Discrepancies in Attribute Definitions

This is often where the first friction appears. You'll notice that:

• Your manufacturers use different names than ETIM for the same features
• The same parameter might be written differently - in your system as a number, in ETIM as a list value
• Values you use might not exactly match the ETIM dictionary

Time-Consuming ETIM Attribute Value Population

This can be the most labor-intensive part of the process:

• Automatic mapping often proves difficult or impossible
• Excel isn't always the best tool for mass data entry
• Manual value population is a tedious process
• More manual work means higher risk of errors

High Cost of Maintaining ETIM Data Currency

This isn't a one-time task. You must be prepared for:

• Need to update data with each product specification change
• Possible differences between ETIM versions - sometimes you need to handle several versions simultaneously

All these challenges can be overcome, but it's worth being aware of them when planning ETIM implementation in your organization.

Wondering how to store and manage ETIM data in your organization? There are several proven solutions, each with its advantages. Let's look at them closer.

PIM System

A PIM (Product Information Management) system is like a command center for your product data. What do you gain?

• Central place to manage all information
• Automatic ETIM attribute mapping
• Consistent data across all sales channels
• Ability to export in BMEcat format
• Error minimization thanks to standard data model

This is an ideal solution if you manage a large product catalog and need a professional tool to handle them.

Outsourcing to external SaaS platform

Don't want to invest in your own infrastructure? SaaS (Software as a Service) platforms might be for you. They offer:

• Specialized tools for working with ETIM
• Automatic updates to latest versions
• No need to maintain own servers

ETIM-Mapper is an example of such a platform - worth looking into if you're seeking a ready solution.

E-commerce platform

If you run an online store, you can integrate ETIM directly with your sales platform. This way:

• You quickly normalize technical parameters
• Make it easier for customers to search products
• Avoid tedious creation of own definitions

This is a popular solution among distributors, who often also decide to support it with a PIM system to fully utilize ETIM capabilities.

BMEcat file import

BMEcat is the simplest way to obtain ETIM data. It's an economical and language-independent solution, but there's a catch - few companies provide complete BMEcat files.

What happens when data is missing? You have two options:

• Manual completion by your team
• Giving up some ETIM attributes (which reduces functionality)

Web interface for suppliers

A Supplier Portal sounds great in theory but often fails in practice. Why? Your suppliers simply don't find time to systematically update data.

Main obstacles:

• Low priority task for suppliers
• Lack of dedicated people for updates
• Difficulties in enforcing timeliness
• Continuous staff rotation and training needs

Even the best interface and technical support won't help if suppliers don't use it.

Mapping own classification to ETIM

It's like translating from one language to another. Success depends on:

• Quality of your own data
• Precision of mapping rules
• Compatibility between your classification and ETIM
• Regular updates with changes

Mass editing in PIM system

This is the golden mean between manual work and full automation. You can:

• Import data from CSV/XLS files
• Use mass change commands
• Apply filters grouping products
• Copy values between similar products

Manual editing

The simplest path, but most expensive in the longer perspective. Why do companies choose it?

• Low entry threshold
• No need for tool investment
• Ability to start quickly
• False sense of control

However, remember the hidden costs:

• High operational costs
• Risk of human errors
• Data consistency problems
• Scaling difficulties

ETIM attribute recognition with AI

Artificial intelligence is a real breakthrough in ETIM automation. Imagine a tool that:

• Analyzes descriptions in different languages
• Identifies technical parameters
• Maps information to ETIM attributes
• Converts units automatically

getName.ai API is an example of such a solution - we'll present it briefly in the next section.

Intelligent recognition of attributes and their values

getName.ai is your AI assistant in the ETIM world. Using advanced technologies, it recognizes and interprets technical data with remarkable precision. The system understands context and extracts attribute values regardless of:

• Description format (structured or not)
• Source language
• Unit system
• Data type

The system flexibly processes data from various sources:

• Descriptive texts
• Websites
• Technical PDF documents

getName.ai vs. challenges accompanying ETIM classification implementation

See how getName.ai automation handles typical obstacles that companies encounter during ETIM implementation.

Problem: Supplier doesn't provide ETIM-compliant data or data is incomplete

With getName.ai you gain:

• Automatic recognition of ETIM attributes from product descriptions
• No need to wait for supplier data
• Data standardization regardless of input format
• Faster introduction of new items for sale
• Time savings on manual gap filling

Problem: Team too small to handle product data

With getName.ai you receive:

• Automation of work for 5-10 employees
• Processing of 25,000 products daily
• Reduction in personnel costs
• Ability to redirect team to more valuable tasks

Problem: ETIM version changes

With getName.ai you receive:

• Automatic update to new ETIM version
• Work continuity during version changes
• Ability to handle different ETIM versions in parallel
• Quick adaptation to new classification requirements

Problem: Descriptions available only in foreign languages

getName.ai solves this through:

• Recognition of ETIM attributes regardless of description language
• Savings on translations
• Consistent ETIM data for products described in different languages

Source Materials:

1. https://www.etim-international.com/
2. https://etim.org.pl/