Retailers and chains in the Benelux struggle with outdated or incomplete product and price information. Scott resolves this via DST, ensuring data is always current and reliable. This allows retailers to act faster, serve customers better, and organize their processes more efficiently.
“Our retailers were asking for Scott products that were not in their point-of-sale system,” Pieterjan Van Weyenbergh opens the conversation. The general manager for the Benelux then inquired which point-of-sale systems were involved. It emerged that four different point-of-sale systems were being used, for which Scott Benelux provided unique files for each system. “That meant we were working for several days per point-of-sale system. Because we have multiple bicycle brands and associated accessories, this was an impossible task, especially to keep it current for all systems.”
Importance of correct product data
Van Weyenbergh subsequently came into contact with DST, where they only had to provide a single file with product data for all point-of-sale systems. He was quickly convinced to participate in the platform. “This also gave us all price changes in one place. The first time was not a simple task, as you have to find your way around the codes. Now we know how to do this more smoothly, and we are gaining a lot of time as a result.”
"If we invest time once in collecting data, instead of every retailer having to do it manually, the sector wins. It means saving valuable time and increasing efficiency with fewer errors."
The importance of (correct) data is vital for Scott and all the partners they work with. “Starting with the point-of-sale systems. With correct data, we make things easier for our customers. If we invest time once in collecting data, instead of every retailer having to do it manually, the sector wins. It means saving valuable time and increasing efficiency with fewer errors.” However, Van Weyenbergh adds a side note. “The start of product data should actually be one step earlier, where every supplier provides information in a unified way. Then, as a project team, you can create a bicycle where the BOM (Bill of Materials) automatically ensures the correct details are filled in.”
The more data, the better
At the start of the collaboration with DST, Scott made the product data for a significant number of products available. “Scott has a broad portfolio of brands and products, including for sports other than cycling. We initially started with two brands (Scott and Bergamont), and we aim to provide more and more data. We are currently working on the accessories. If that works well, we will start on the other languages. First, we want it to run well and be operational. Then we could link other countries to it. There is still a lot of potential for this in Western European countries; the link with a point-of-sale system would be the first gain. Because the more data, the better. That leads to more satisfied customers, which builds more trust and makes collaboration easier.”
International ambition
Van Weyenbergh observes that the bicycle industry has become much more professional digitally in recent years. “Conversations these days are about APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), which allow price and product data to be exchanged automatically.” He continues: “Within Scott International, research was conducted into how data can best be shared with customers worldwide, as the need for current and reliable data has also increased significantly globally. In the Benelux, we did not want to wait for this research because we considered it too important.” Van Weyenbergh, who sits on an international expert group at Scott, notes that the rise of chains in Belgium is pushing the sector to provide them with data. “Something we see as a positive development, by the way. From the Benelux, we are the pioneers and, in turn, we push the head office to improve the sharing of product data.”
About Scott
The international bicycle brand Scott is known for innovative technology, high quality, and sporty design. Scott offers a wide range of mountain bikes, road bikes, e-bikes, and gravel bikes. The brand was founded in 1958 in the USA and has been based in Switzerland since 1989.