BMEcat 2005 ETIM Version 5.0

Country specific characteristics

Every country requires more fields then originally available in the BMEcat 2005 structure. In cooperation with ETIM Netherlands, we have defined country specific guidelines for the Netherlands.

Please use this UDX fields (UDX.EDXF.PRODUCT_CHARACTERISTICS) as defined in the ETIM guideline 5.0 starting at page 157 to page 191. The NL characteristics for BMEcat 2005 ETIM V5.0 differ from version 4.0. Please note that NL characteristics that are no longer present will not be accepted when you submit a BMEcat 2005 ETIM V5.0 dataset

The BMEcat 2005 ETIM V5.0 contains clear examples of how to define them in your data file.

Deleted NL Characteristics

A small number of NL characteristics are included in the regular product line. As a result, these have been removed as NL Characteristic:

Header

The header of the BMEcat with ETIM guidelines 5.0 should be like the example below:

1. GENERATOR_INFO has to contain the name of the PIM software or BMEcat generator.
2. LANGUAGE will be used as default language when no language is set at the description elements. The use of language codes at the descriptions is highly recommended!
3. MIME_ROOT is optional, if the local attachments are stored in a folder, the folder name should be filled in.
4. BUYER_ID specifies the GLN number of the specific datapool;
   1. 2BA: <buyer_id type="gln">8714252005929</buyer_id>
   2. InstallData: <buyer_id type="gln">8714252005929</buyer_id>
5. SUPPLIER_ID is a mandatory field within the datapool. The GLN- or DUNS number is of the specific data supplier is expected;
6. 1. GLN: <buyer_id type="gln"><buyer_id>
   2. DUNS: <buyer_id type="duns"><buyer_id>
7. <UDX.EDXF.VERSION>5.0</UDX.EDXF.VERSION> must be used to define the ETIM 5.0 Guideline version.

Transaction settings

2BA supports complete or update (mutation) files of the BMECat 5.0. A complete BMEcat files has to contain all active products. A new complete file will overwrite all records in the database!. To define the file as a complete file, use T_NEW_CATALOG. Existing productrecords which are not present in the complete file will be set as "expired". Existing trade itemsrecords which are not present in the complete file will be deleted.

Delivery of mutation files is also possible.

EXAMPLE complete files:

EXAMPLE mutation file:

Identification

2BA distinguishes two entities, the product information and related trade item information. Product information concerns data from the manufacturer about the manufactured product such as attachments and ETIM classification. The related trade item information contains all data indicating how to order the item such as gross price, order unit, minimum purchase amount and delivery time. In many cases (standard manufacturers), this information will be equal to each other, but a distinction can be made here for importers.

1. When UDX.EDXF.GTIN is empty, the INTERNATIONAL_PID type="gtin" will be set as trade item GTIN.

Product status / Statuscode

The product status codes are different between BMEcat 2005 ETIM V5.0 and the data model. The mapping is based on product status type, the value is informative (except for expired products). The product status will be set at product and trade item level (exept for expired products (model code 130).

The mapping of product status types versus the data model is available here.

1. PRODUCT_STATUS is optional within BMEcat V5.0 format, when no product status is given the productrecord and trade item record will be intrepreted as core_product.
2. Refurbished products can be specified via type "refurbished" where the value will be skipped. The trade item will be specified through an indicator.
3. Second-hand (reuse) products can be specified via type "used" where the value will be skipped. The trade item will be specified through an indicator.
4. Expired products (model code 130) can be specified via type "others" in combination with the value "expired". If the product status is specified as 'expired' the product record will be imported as 'expired' (model code '130') and the trade item record (e.g. pricing and logistical info) will not be imported (T_NEW_CATALOG) or will be deleleted (T_UPDATE_PRODUCTS)


5.  

EXAMPLE expired products:

Multiple packing units for the same product

It is possible for a manufacturer or supplier to distribute more than one type of package for the same product. According to the ETIM International Guidelines there are some strict rules:

1. Only the values within the packing unit with the lowest UDX.EDXF.QUANTITY_MIN will be imported. Other specified packing units elements will be ignored.
2. Normally, the complete product structure must be given for every unique trade item number (from <PRODUCT> to </PRODUCT>). In case of multiple packing units there is an exception: when a reference to a MANUFACTURER_PID is used more than once (from more than one SUPPLIER_PID's) after the first appearance, the fields below don't have to be given in order to avoid redundant data:

• Attachments: UDX.EDXF.MIME_INFO
• ETIM classification: PRODUCT_FEATURES
• ETIM version: UDX.EDXF.PRODUCT_ETIM_DYNAMIC
• ETIM MC classification: UDX.EDXF.PRODUCT_FEATURES_MC
• Brand, series, type: will be ignored during the import

Logistic information

For trade items, the logistic information can be given for each unique trade item in the elements UDX.EDXF.PACKING_UNITS, PRODUCT_LOGISTIC_DETAILS and UDX.EDXF.PRODUCT_CHARACTERISTIC. Measurements must be given in meters and weights must to be given in kilograms. If there are more than one trade items for the same product see chapter Multiple packing units for the same product. The mapping below applies to the packaging information for all trade items:

1. ETIM has determined that C62 is interpreted as unpacked
2. ETIM has determined that PA is interpreted as blister
3. Not recommended:
   • BE (Bundle)
   • PR (Pair)
   • SET (set)
   • Z2 (Chest)
   • Z3 (Cask)
4. Not accepted:
   • CQ (Cartridge)
   • EV (Envelope)
   • WR (Wrap)

The mapping of packing codes versus 2BA is available here

The country of origin is the country of shipment of the order. The country of production is the actual production location. Please use the country specific UDX.EDXF.PRODUCT_CHARACTERISTIC field "Country of production origin" with code "NL_006", see chapter 11 of the ETIM 5.0 guideline.

Order price details

For each trade item can be defined how the trade item can be ordered, on which unit the price is based and how the product can be used. The mapping of the order and price details in the import of BMEcat 5.0 differs from older guideline versions.

• The CONTENT_UNIT defines how the product is used, this can be expressed in piece, meters, litres ad square meters. All other cases should be specified as C62. In case of piece, use also code C62.
• The ORDER_UNIT defines how the trade item can be ordered, this can be expressed in piece, meters, litres and square meters. All other cases should be specified as C62. In case of piece, use also code C62.
• The QUANTITY_MIN defines the minimum order quantity of the trade item, expressed in ORDER_UNIT. The quantity steps in which the trade item can be ordered is the QUANTITY_INTERVAL.

1. All PRICE_FACTOR elements per SUPPLIER_PID must have the same value.
2. Gross price: @price_type "net_list" should be used as gross price.
3. Gross price: @price_type "net_customer" should be used as net price.
4. TAX will be multiplied with 100.
5. DAILY_PRICE "true" is mapped as "price on request".
6. Suggested price: @price_type "nrp" should be used as suggested price.
7. Please note, the nonbinding recommended (retail) price (nrp), suggested retail price is within BMEcat specified including sales tax. The import proces reduces the speciied value with the specified VAT, because the suggested price in the data model is without sales tax.

Only the surcharge type "WEEE" is mapped to the Dutch "Afvalbeheersbijdrage".

Descriptions

Given the various purposes, different types of descriptions are possible to describe a trade item or product. There are three possibilities:

1. DESCRIPTION_SHORTdescribes the product short and concise, to recognize its kind and function among a large quantity of products - preferably unambiguous.. The maximum field length within the data pool is 70 characters (not 150 characters according to the XSD of BMEcat). If the short description contains more characters the description will be cut to length of 70 characters.
2. DESCRIPTION_LONG is mapped to the marketing text with a maximum of 1.000 characters. If the long description contains more characters, the description will be cut to specified length of 1.000 characters.
3. The long description to support the short description is defined in the country specific UDX.EDXF.PRODUCT_CHARACTERISTIC "Long ERP description" with code "NL_008" and has a maximum of 256 characters.

1. The descriptions (short, long and long ERP description) should not contain any HTML tags or font formatting like bold, italic, underline, etc.
2. The descriptions (short, long and long ERP description) should not contain controls characters like CR & LF (Enter / Return), tabs, and other non-western characters. Please use the Character Entity Reference Table to specify new lines, lists, special characters etc.
3. The element LANGUAGE in the header is used as default language when no language code is specified at descriptions.
4. The default language is Dutch and is mandatory. If no Dutch description is set, the English description will be adopted as Dutch description.
5. If neither a Dutch nor an English description is specified the specific record will blocked.
6. The mapping of the language codes versus 2BA is available here Brand, serie and type

   Wholesalers uses the structure of brand, serie, type as a filtering method and search engine optimisation (SEO), for example on their webshop. For this reason these fields are mandatory for each product record. For records which are only used as trade item data, these fields can be skipped (see chapter: multiple packing units for the same product).

   Some manufactures don't use serie and type grouping. In this case use the value RNV_NA. More information click here.

   1. Brand; UDX.EDXF.BRAND_NAME
   2. Series; UDX.EDXF.PRODUCT_SERIES
   3. Type; UDX.EDXF.PRODUCT_VARIATION

   In older BMEcat guidelines there were more mappings and 2BA UDX fields, these fields and mappings are no longer supported.

Hazardous substances and certificates

When a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is applicable, these three elements are mandatory:

1. The indication that SDS is applicable for this product in SPECIAL_TREATMENT_CLASS. Only the value true or false is expected in this string field.
2. There must be an attachment with code MD03 in UDX.EDXF.MIME.
3. The SDS listdata must be filled in the UDX.EDXF.PRODUCT_CHARACTERISTIC with code NL_005.

When Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is applicable for the record, these three elements are mandatory:

1. The indication that REACH is applicable for this product in UDX.EDXF.REACH.INFO.
2. The REACH revision date must be filled in the UDX.EDXF.REACH.LISTDATE.
3. There must be a website location to the document, given as attachment with code MD05 in UDX.EDXF.MIME.

ETIM Classification

The element PRODUCT_FEATURES can be used for the ETIM Classification. REFERENCE_FEATURE_SYSTEM_NAME must be filled with the ETIM version of the data. In the format ETIM-x.x. or like DYNAMIC.

1. REFERENCE_FEATURE_GROUP_ID is the ETIM class of the product. According to the 5.0 guidelines this field is mandatory and must be filled with "EC000000" if the product has no known ETIM class. For 2BA this field is not mandatory.
2. FNAME is the ETIM Feature. According to the 5.0 guidelines this field is mandatory and must be filled with "EF000000" or "-" when there is no feature. For 2BA this field is not mandatory.
3. FVALUE is the ETIM value. According to the 5.0 guidelines this field is mandatory and must be filled with "EV000000" or "-" when there is no feature. For 2BA this field is not mandatory.
4. In case of a range, the element FVALUE is used twice. 2BA will use the first element as the lowest value, and the second value as the highest.

If a value cannot be assigned, according to the ETIM guideline the data supplier has the opportunity to use a minus sign. Values with a minus sign will be skipped by 2BA. Instead use one of the following reasons in FVALUE_DETAILS:

• NA; Not applicable (this feature is not applicable in the context of a product in this class).
• MV; Missing value (an alphanumeric feature is relevant, but no correct value exists in this ETIM version).
• UN; Unknown (currently, the data supplier is not able to specifiy a value; but basically it is possible).

MIME Information

According to the ETIM 5.0 guidelines the UDX.EDXF.MIME_INFO element should be used to exchange attachments. Because of the different export formats the predefined values (MD codes) are mapped to the attachment type code list.

The mapping of MD codes versus the data model is available here

• UDX.EDXF.MIME_DESIGNATION specifies if an attachment is in high resolution (detail) or low resolution (normal) picture. If UDX.EDXF.MIME_DESIGNATION is not specified, the picture will be specified as a low resolution picture (PPI). The element UDX.EDXF.MIME_DESIGNATION will be also used to specify the description of the attachment. The value normal or detail will be skipped as description
• We strongly recommend to specify only one primary image as MD01 and specifiy other images as MD02 (simular picture).
• The minimum quality of a high resolution should be 300 DPI for 1772x1772 pixels (15x15cm).
• If only a high resolution (detail) MD01 picture is specified, the import system will generate a low resolution picture.

• The MIME_ROOT can define a root map for attachments. This field is used in combination with UDX.EDXF.MIME_SOURCE. Be careful not to use the same directory structure in both fields.
• The UDX.EDXF.MIME_SOURCE is used for the file name or URL. When the value starts with an URL, the import system will download the attachment.
• Per UDX.EDXF.MIME_SOURCE can be indicated trough a language code in which language the content is written. If the language code is not specified the specified header language code will be used. with the exception of the product picture MD codes: MD01, MD02, MD20, MD23, MD24, MD25, MD26, MD27, MD28, MD29, MD30, MD47, MD59, MD65.

• The UDX.EDXF.MIME_CODE defines the type of attachment with MD codes.
• The MIME_CODE MD04 will be saved as (data) deeplink and is not mapped as an attachment type. If you specify multiple deeplinks (mime code MD04), the deeplinks will be imported as attachment model type 'other' (OTA).
• MD06, Energy label must be a JPG. In 2BA mapped to certificates, with attribute "ENERGY".
• MD47 (thumbnail) is not imported by 2BA.

Reference items

In the data model reference items will be mapped at product level, not on trade item level.

The mapping of product references versus the data model is available here.

• BMEcat code "others" can only be used in combination with REFERENCE_DESCR "fits to" and "predecessor".
• BMEcat code "Base product" is used for hierarchy, see chapter 10 hierarchy.
• BMEcat code "Followup" can be used to refer to a successor at product level (not for trade items).

Files containing data from multiple data suppliers

• In case of catalogue messages containing products of more than one manufacturer, on every product the field the country specific UDX.EDXF.PRODUCT_CHARACTERISTIC field "Manufacturer_IDref" with code "NL_010" must be used, see chapter 11.
• In case of a multi supplier catalogue, every trade item needs to be identified with the GLN of the supplier, the field the country specific UDX.EDXF.PRODUCT_CHARACTERISTIC field "Supplier_IDref" with code "NL_009" must be used, see chapter 11.
• When a multi catalogue message contains multiple suppliers of the same product, redundant product information should be avoided. The ETIM classification and "mime info" should only be added the first time it is mentioned in the catalogue. The function PRODUCT_REFERENCE "base_product" must be used on all the other trade items elements which refer to the same product.