Contentserv:
heo's Path to Centralized and Flexible Product Data
Together with valantic, heo has created a central data source, optimized processes, and automated workflows. With Contentserv as the PIM system, they benefit from higher data quality, faster time-to-market, and a solid foundation for future growth.
The Company: heo GmbH
Founded in Germany in 1996, heo GmbH is an internationally active distributor and manufacturer of licensed products, collectibles, and games in the pop culture sector. The company offers over 30,000 different items and supplies more than 5,000 B2B customers worldwide, ranging from specialized boutiques to major retail chains.
With over 240 employees across nine international locations, heo ensures efficient distribution and logistics and markets products under more than 1,000 licenses from over 350 brands. In addition to distribution, heo develops its own product lines and media productions, particularly in the gaming and collectibles sector. This combination of global reach, in-house product development, and long-standing expertise makes heo one of the leading providers in the industry.
About Ultimate Guard
Ultimate Guard is heo GmbH’s in-house brand, specializing in high-quality accessories for trading cards and collectibles. With innovative products such as deck boxes, card sleeves, playmats, and storage solutions, Ultimate Guard provides collectors and players with optimal protection and top-tier quality. The brand stands for well-thought-out design, durable materials, and sustainable product solutions and has established itself as one of the leading brands worldwide in the TCG and trading card accessory sector.
Challenges
heo needed a solution to centralize product data and prepare it for omnichannel distribution.
Consulting Approach
Through successive workshops, valantic worked with heo to establish an appropriate data model in their new PIM system, along with workflows and interfaces.
Customer Benefits and Solution
Contentserv provides heo with a transparent, centralized data repository and seamless data transmission to all relevant channels.
Challenges
At the start of the project, heo’s product data was stored in various systems and files. The vast number of PIM solutions available on the market made selecting the right system difficult. There was no central Single Source of Truth for the diverse and extensive information. Maintaining data across parallel systems led to significant additional effort and limited synergy effects. Ensuring data quality standards for output channels, such as the online shop, was challenging. This was particularly crucial for the complex launch management of licensed products and their product lifecycle. The project initially focused on the in-house brand Ultimate Guard. Following implementation, additional products and brands will be integrated into the PIM system step by step.
Consulting Approach
After carefully evaluating the appropriate PIM system, heo initially focused on structured and centralized data migration, along with user training to enable early independent use of the system. Successive workshops helped develop a data model that best described the products and facilitated the maintenance and control of output channels like the online shop. A dedicated storage structure was created for assets. The customized workflows and processes developed enable efficient data management, ensure transparency in the product lifecycle, and maintain high data quality. Process adaptations were supported by tailored change management. Interfaces between the PIM system and the ERP system, the online shop, and a translation solution completed the project. The foundation for integrating additional brands into the Contentserv PIM at heo GmbH has been laid.
Daniel Seiler
Project Manager PIM, heo GmbH
”Implementing a PIM system for our in-house brand Ultimate Guard was a crucial pilot project in the field of product information management. The valantic team provided us with excellent support throughout the project with their expertise and flexibility—as a sparring partner on equal footing who perfectly adapted to our pace. Even after the successful launch, valantic continues to support us in necessary optimizations to ensure the system operates at its best. The successful implementation reinforces our decision to take the next step: rolling out the PIM system across the entire company. We look forward to continuing our collaboration.“
Solutions
Evaluation of the right PIM system
Contentserv’s functionality and structure are optimally aligned with heo’s requirements
Gradual implementation of the system across the company
The foundation was laid with the integration of the in-house brand Ultimate Guard
Establishing the PIM system as a Single Source of Truth
Eliminating data silos
ERP system integration via an interface
New products can be promptly maintained, and product data is automatically transferred between systems
Definition of a product lifecycle
Seamless workflows accompany products from initial design in the PIM system to product deactivation
Implementation of translation processes
Enabling a fast go-to-market approach for international platforms
Daily updates to the online shop
Relevant and appropriately prepared data is transferred via an interface
Clear management of launch dates and sales regions
A single system precisely controls distribution across all channels
Improved cross-departmental workflows
The PIM system serves as the central hub for data maintenance and product launches
Transparent monitoring of quality standards
High data quality strengthens customer loyalty
Project-accompanying training for administrators and users
Early empowerment to independently use the system
