 A smooth flow of goods is only possible when retailers and manufacturers are able to transfer and process information quickly and accurately. This is why electronic data transfer is gaining in importance. The METRO Group uses the data pool MMS-CAT in order to ensure the efficient exchange of product data with its supplier. |
What is MMS-CAT?
The abbreviation MMS-CAT is short for the METRO Merchandise System Catalog. METRO Group uses this central data pool to exchange article master data with its suppliers, i.e. article descriptions and product features. Data can be quickly and smoothly moved from the supplier to METRO Group and be managed there accordingly.
MMS-CAT is vital for creating assortments. METRO Group buyers can use the data pool to retrieve and process all article information centrally – or have it processed by suppliers, who also have access to the data. Data maintenance is based on international standards such as the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) - formerly EAN - and the Global Location Number (GLN) - formerly ILN.
METRO Group plans to use MMS-CAT nationwide in Germany. In the long-term the data pool is to ensure smooth data management throughout the retailing group and map the latest assortments carried by all sales divisions in METRO Group.
MMS-CAT is vital for creating assortments. METRO Group buyers can use the data pool to retrieve and process all article information centrally – or have it processed by suppliers, who also have access to the data. Data maintenance is based on international standards such as the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) - formerly EAN - and the Global Location Number (GLN) - formerly ILN.
METRO Group plans to use MMS-CAT nationwide in Germany. In the long-term the data pool is to ensure smooth data management throughout the retailing group and map the latest assortments carried by all sales divisions in METRO Group.
How does MMS-CAT exchange data?
Many suppliers use the external SA2 Worldsync data pool to provide METRO Group with article master data: they feed their data into SA2 Worldsync and METRO Group can download the required data when needed and upload it into MMS-CAT. New or amended article data is automatically transmitted to the group, i.e. as is the case if packaging dimensions change. As a result METRO Group purchasing knows the current assortment of items carried and can process the data if required.
A further option for data transfer is so-called bilateral data exchange. In this case the supplier logs-on to a protected area of a special METRO Group Internet portal to store data there. The supplier can also amend data already stored in the portal in case product features have changed. METRO Group also uses the channel of bilateral data to provide suppliers with master data. The retailing group can regularly send an overview of the active product assortment, meaning that the supplier can see which items the retailing group is being provided with. The supplier can enter new prices, product features or the data of new articles as well as delete obsolete information.
A further option for data transfer is so-called bilateral data exchange. In this case the supplier logs-on to a protected area of a special METRO Group Internet portal to store data there. The supplier can also amend data already stored in the portal in case product features have changed. METRO Group also uses the channel of bilateral data to provide suppliers with master data. The retailing group can regularly send an overview of the active product assortment, meaning that the supplier can see which items the retailing group is being provided with. The supplier can enter new prices, product features or the data of new articles as well as delete obsolete information.
What is the benefit provided by MMS-CAT?
In the past all article master data had to be sent back and forth by fax, mail or floppy-disc between METRO Group and its suppliers and then also had to be reconciled manually. Thanks to MMS-CAT information provision is simplified, accelerated and made more transparent for both parties.
The entire process of creating an assortment is accelerated thank the to central master data pool that MMS-CAT is. Article data is exchanged between the group and its suppliers without any media discontinuity. Data can be processed and updated very much more quickly. Data transfer and maintenance is also simplified considerably for the supplier. Suppliers can transfer their latest article data to METRO using the master data pool SA2 worldsync or the Internet.
The entire process of creating an assortment is accelerated thank the to central master data pool that MMS-CAT is. Article data is exchanged between the group and its suppliers without any media discontinuity. Data can be processed and updated very much more quickly. Data transfer and maintenance is also simplified considerably for the supplier. Suppliers can transfer their latest article data to METRO using the master data pool SA2 worldsync or the Internet.
