If you run product catalogs for a manufacturing company, you know it can get messy, fast. Hundreds (or thousands) of SKUs, product options that multiply like rabbits, and updates that never seem to end. If your team uses Verenia—or you’re about to—this guide is for you. We’ll skip the marketing fluff and get into what actually works for building, updating, and managing catalogs that don’t become a nightmare six months down the line.
1. Start with a Strong Catalog Structure (Don’t Wing It)
Verenia is powerful, but it can’t fix a messy foundation. Before you even touch the platform, map out how you want your catalog organized:
- Group products logically: Don’t just mirror your engineering files or ERP. Organize by how customers buy—product families, series, or application.
- Standardize attribute names: “Color” vs. “Finish” vs. “Coating”—pick one and stick with it.
- Think about future growth: Can you add new lines easily without a total overhaul?
Pro tip: Sketch your structure on paper or a whiteboard first. It’s easier to spot gaps or overlaps before you’re staring at 500 fields in a software form.
2. Use Verenia’s Rules Engine—But Don’t Overcomplicate
Verenia’s configurator is great for handling complex products: dependencies, exclusions, pricing logic, you name it. But resist the urge to turn every business rule into a rule in the system.
- Automate the essentials: Use rules for things humans forget or that cause costly mistakes—like incompatible options or required components.
- Don’t encode tribal knowledge: If only one engineer knows “Rule 97B,” maybe it shouldn’t be in the system yet.
- Document everything: Every time you create a rule, add a plain-English comment. Future-you (or your replacement) will thank you.
What to ignore: Extreme edge cases. If a scenario happens once every five years, handle it outside the system. You want simplicity, not a ball of yarn nobody can untangle.
3. Keep Product Data Clean and Centralized
Garbage in, garbage out. If your source data is messy, no software will save you.
- Set one “source of truth”: Decide if Verenia, your ERP, or a PIM system is the master record for product data. Don’t juggle multiple sources.
- Regularly audit your catalog: Schedule quarterly reviews to catch outdated specs, dead SKUs, or pricing errors.
- Use bulk import/export: Verenia can handle CSV or Excel imports—don’t waste time doing mass updates by hand.
Pro tip: Assign catalog ownership. Someone (not everyone) should be responsible for accuracy and updates.
4. Don’t Overload with Custom Fields
It’s tempting to add a field for every possible detail (“thread pitch,” “ambient temperature rating,” etc.). But too many fields slow down the system, confuse users, and make maintenance a pain.
- Stick to what sales and customers actually use.
- Use custom fields sparingly: Only add when there’s a clear business case.
- Group related fields: Tabs or collapsible sections keep the UI usable.
What works: Doing a “field audit” before adding new ones. Ask: Who will use this? How often? What happens if it’s missing?
5. Make Pricing Rules Transparent
Complex pricing rules are a big selling point for Verenia, but they’re also where catalogs go to die. Keep things as simple as possible.
- Base pricing on clear, logical tiers or options.
- Document the logic: Use comments, diagrams, or external docs if needed.
- Test thoroughly: Run sample configurations to confirm pricing is accurate.
- Set up approval workflows: For big discounts or oddball quotes, route for manual review rather than automating everything.
What to ignore: Overly granular pricing “just because you can.” If a price break saves $0.23 on two units a year, skip it.
6. Train Users—And Listen to Their Feedback
Even the best-designed catalog will fail if nobody knows how (or wants) to use it.
- Train in small groups: Focus on real-world scenarios, not just system features.
- Have a feedback loop: Make it easy for users to flag confusing options, broken rules, or missing data.
- Update documentation: Keep quick-reference guides or cheat sheets up to date as the catalog evolves.
Pro tip: Shadow a salesperson as they use the catalog. You’ll spot pain points that never show up in a meeting.
7. Integrate Carefully with Other Systems
Verenia can play nice with ERPs, CRMs, and e-commerce platforms, but integrations are where projects go off the rails.
- Start with simple data flows: Sync core product data and pricing first. Leave flashy features for phase two.
- Map data carefully: Make sure fields match up. “Product Code” in Verenia might not be “SKU” in your ERP.
- Monitor integrations: Set up alerts for failed syncs or data mismatches. Don’t assume everything’s working because you set it up once.
What works: Integrating in stages. Get one direction working (say, ERP → Verenia), then add the reverse.
8. Plan for Change, Not Perfection
Manufacturing product lines evolve—new models, discontinued parts, pricing changes. Your catalog setup should expect change, not fight it.
- Version control your catalog: Keep backups before big changes. Know how to roll back if needed.
- Use test environments: Never update the live catalog without a dry run.
- Document processes: Write down how to add, update, or retire products. Future team members will need it.
What to ignore: The urge to “set and forget.” Catalogs are living things, not monuments.
9. Security and Permissions Matter
Not everyone needs to edit everything. Set permissions based on roles:
- Restrict editing to trained users.
- Give sales only what they need: Don’t let them change core specs or pricing rules.
- Audit access regularly: People change jobs; access should change too.
Pro tip: Keep a log of who changed what. It’s boring until you need it—then it’s a lifesaver.
10. Keep It Simple—Then Iterate
It’s tempting to build the “ultimate” catalog right out of the gate. Don’t. Start with the essentials, get real feedback, and improve as you go.
- Launch with your top products and options.
- Add complexity only when it’s needed—and justified.
- Review after a few months: What’s working? What’s ignored? Tweak as needed.
Catalog management in Verenia isn’t rocket science, but it does reward common sense and a light touch. Focus on making things clear and maintainable, not impressive. Keep your catalog simple, listen to your users, and don’t be afraid to clean house when things get unwieldy. Iterate, don’t over-engineer, and your team (and your customers) will thank you.