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From Data Mess to a Single Source of Truth
Akeneo PIM at geo-FENNEL: Centralized and automated product data
geo-FENNEL has been developing laser measurement technology and surveying instruments for the construction industry for over 50 years. In collaboration with valantic, the company has implemented Akeneo as its central PIM solution, thereby automating the creation of user manuals in 11 languages. SAP B1 is connected via a bidirectional interface, and the architecture is already set up for further expansions such as data sheets, a print catalog, and a website.
Challenge
geo-FENNEL managed its product data in an existing PIM system and additionally in the SAP B1 ERP system without a consistent data model, which meant that new products had to be maintained manually, price lists and user manuals had to be created mostly by hand, and hazardous materials regulations with UN numbers could not be mapped in a structured manner.
Consulting approach
In collaboration with geo-FENNEL, valantic introduced Akeneo as a new data hub, completely rebuilt the data model—including end-to-end inheritance logic—and, over the course of two agile project phases, implemented a bidirectional interface to SAP B1 as well as integrations with DeepL and InDesign EasyCatalog.
Solution & benefits
Akeneo is now the central single source of truth for all product data at geo-FENNEL: user manuals are generated automatically in 11 languages, data synchronization with SAP B1 runs automatically, and the architecture is already set up for further expansions such as data sheets, print catalogs, and the website.
About the company: geo-Fennel
geo-FENNEL GmbH, headquartered in Baunatal near Kassel, has been a leading name in professional measurement technology for over 50 years. This medium-sized company develops, manufactures, and distributes laser measurement technology and surveying instruments for commercial users in the construction trades and the construction industry. Its product portfolio ranges from line and rotary lasers to sewer construction lasers, receivers, and surveying instruments, as well as tripods, leveling rods, environmental measurement technology, and 3D machine control systems. geo-FENNEL’s products are in use in more than 60 countries. Specialty retailers and commercial users worldwide rely on the quality and precision of the devices developed in Baunatal. As a manufacturer of industry-specific measurement technology, geo-FENNEL also complies with specific regulatory requirements, such as hazardous materials regulations with UN numbers for certain products.
The challenge
Organically developed data structures lacking a consistent systematic approach
As a manufacturer of laser measurement technology and surveying instruments for the construction industry, geo-FENNEL managed its product data prior to the project in an existing PIM system as well as in the SAP B1 ERP system. There was no clean data model with consistent inheritance logic, which meant that new products and attributes had to be maintained manually and with considerable effort.
Virtually no automation, duplicate data maintenance
Under these conditions, automation was virtually impossible to implement: Even the creation of price lists and user manuals was largely done manually. There was no integration between the PIM system and peripheral systems such as SAP, so data had to be maintained multiple times. Structured translation management for multilingual product communication was also lacking.
Industry-specific Requirements: hazardous materials with UN numbers
As a manufacturer of measurement technology, geo-FENNEL also had to address industry-specific requirements, such as hazardous materials regulations with UN numbers for certain products. This requirement could not be addressed in a structured manner within the previous system. geo-FENNEL needed a central data hub that would enable a clean data model, automated processes, and a bidirectional SAP B1 integration.
Consulting approach
How do you implement Akeneo PIM for a manufacturer of laser measurement technology?
Together with valantic, geo-FENNEL chose Akeneo as its new Product Information Management (PIM) system, which stood out for its high user-friendliness, reduced complexity, and attractive cost-benefit ratio. During the project, the data model was completely rebuilt and significantly optimized compared to the previous data structure. Implementation took place in two phases with agile milestone planning, and task management was handled via Jira.
Seamless integration: SAP B1, InDesign EasyCatalog, and DeepL
A bidirectional interface between the SAP B1 ERP system and Akeneo ensures automated data synchronization and eliminates the need for duplicate data entry. Price lists and user manuals are created based on complex data model structures using InDesign EasyCatalog, and the integration with DeepL enables automated multilingual translation of product data.
Technologies used
- Akeneo PIM
- SAP B1 (ERP integration)
- InDesign EasyCatalog
- DeepL (translation management)
- Jira (project and task management)
Seven core components of the solution
- Redesign and optimization of the data model, including end-to-end inheritance logic
- Bidirectional interface between SAP B1 and Akeneo for automated data synchronization
- Creation of price lists and user manuals using InDesign EasyCatalog
- Integration of DeepL for automated multilingual translation of product data
- Mapping of hazardous materials regulations with UN numbers as separate entities in Akeneo
- Initial data migration from the previous PIM system, including the integrated Digital Asset Management (DAM) system
- Rule-based data populating to reduce manual maintenance effort
Results & benefits
What has geo-FENNEL achieved with Akeneo PIM?
All product data is stored centrally in Akeneo, with clearly defined maintenance processes and a clean single source of truth
A new data model with consistent inheritance logic maps the entire product portfolio
Price lists and user manuals are generated semi-automatically using reusable templates
The bidirectional SAP B1 connection allows data synchronization to run automatically
Thanks to the DeepL integration, user manuals are automatically available in 11 languages
Hazardous materials regulations with UN numbers are represented as separate entities
Rule-based data population significantly reduces the amount of manual maintenance required
Foundation laid for further expansion phases: automated data sheets, print catalog, and website
Yvonne Schütz
Product Owner at geo-FENNEL GmbH
”The implementation of Akeneo PIM with valantic went quickly and smoothly: Akeneo PIM is now successfully in use. Our marketing department, in particular, benefits from consistent product data and multilingual outputs, including instructions in eleven languages. Collaboration on the project was excellent: The valantic team was open, honest, and consistently solution-oriented. Feedback was always provided professionally and respectfully. Now our focus is on thorough data maintenance and the further development of the data model.“
What is the potential of your product information management system?
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Learn how to centrally manage product data, automatically maintain multilingual content, and optimally integrate your system landscape. We’d be happy to advise you:
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about our PIM-projects
geo-FENNEL and valantic jointly selected Akeneo as their new data hub and completely rebuilt the data model in two agile phases. Notable features: A bidirectional interface to SAP B1, as well as integrations with DeepL and InDesign EasyCatalog, were also implemented.
At geo-FENNEL, product data and user manuals are automatically translated through DeepL’s integration with Akeneo. Price lists and manuals are then generated in 11 languages using InDesign EasyCatalog, based on the central product data.
Akeneo allows you to systematically record hazardous materials regulations with UN numbers as separate entities. This enables industry-specific requirements from measurement technology manufacturers such as geo-FENNEL to be managed centrally and automatically incorporated into price lists, manuals, and other output channels.