NBG supports BMDS product data initiative

National Buying Group (NBG) is backing the industry’s move to a shared product-data platform that will make it easier for merchants to access product information, and manage sales and purchases more efficiently.

Building Materials Digital Services (BMDS), a joint venture between the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) and NMBS, in which NBG is an external shareholder, is launching the Industry Data Pool (IDP) that will accept product records in the standardisation format.

NBG’s five years of experience developing the Product Information Management system (PIM+) means NBG are in a strong position to play an active role in the IDP. Key NBG personnel will work with BMDS data specialists to support the operational and marketing aspects of the IDP while also having a presence on the board.

The two systems are complementary, and the shared format ensures product information regarding marketing, logistics and media channels is widely reusable. By providing the data for one system, suppliers will be ready to provide data for the other, as the standardisation template format applies equally to both.

That reusability delivers practical benefits for independent builders’ merchants, helping them present clear specifications, support smarter inventory decisions and create conditions that can boost sales.

Mark Hughes, managing director of NBG, said: “We’ve been using the PIM+ for five years now and can say from experience that you only get out of it what you put in. NBG’s PIM+ is currently the most comprehensive product management system available to NBG partners, with more than 360 suppliers and more than one million products. To benefit from this new initiative, we all need to make sure we’re giving the most accurate data available and are taking advantage of the opportunity to boost sales it will make possible.”