A product catalog table allows you to compile your various product offerings in one convenient location. The table contains the product name, description, price , SKU number and other key details. It facilitates your product management goals, especially when you need to manipulate the data online. This is sometimes referred to as a product information management (PIM) system. A number of software programs make it simple to create a product catalog table that you can refer to regularly.
Instructions
1. Create your product catalog table in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Excel has a function that assigns column headers to identify each product. It allows you to add and delete columns and rows as necessary. You can sort the product list by any heading you choose (such as SKU number or item name). Excel also is ideal because it imports nicely into other applications, such as web shopping cart software programs.
2. Compile your product catalog table in MyBusinessCatalog (see Resources). The software grabs information from all of your various files, including Microsoft Office, Flash and image documents, and combines them into one convenient table of information. You can then take that table and convert it to a product catalog in PDF, HTML or CD format for distribution. Integrate this software with your web server to create an online store as well.
3. Set up a product catalog table using CatalogStudio from Trading Bell (see Resources). This catalog management software allows you to build a table with basic product information as well as image data and customer contact data. You can then publish your list online, via PDF, on a CD or print and carry. This software also offers an importing and exporting function for transferring information between applications.
