Electronic Catalogs: Basics
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Do we need a different know-how for the creation of an electronic catalog than for the creation of a printed one? -
Indeed. However, you do not have to acquire this yourself to get a good result.
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Is there search functionality in electronic catalogs that is not available in paper catalogs? -
Yes. A mouse click on part numbers or illustrations is a direct call for additional information.
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When must the catalog program be replaced? -
There are three cases when this should happen.
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Can factors aside from those of the catalog program force its substitution? -
Unfortunately, yes. The list of reasons leading to incompatibility is long and never complete.
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Which criteria should be met by specialists to be hired for programming a catalog software? -
These specialists should have proven already that they are capable of handling a project of this size reliably.
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Why is it easier and faster to find information in an electronic catalog than in a paper catalog? -
In an electronic catalog, information can be linked in such a way that it is presented in a lucid and systematic manner. The user can navigate from one piece of essential information to a corresponding piece through links and hotspots.
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Why should I not build into my electronic catalog all conceivable functionality from the beginning? -
You should not do this because the creation costs for a catalog could quickly surmount the calculated budget.
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Why are some functions added much later to a catalog program instead of simply implementing them all from the beginning? -
Increased functionality is often added later namely because the reliability of and the effort for an initial catalog version should first be tested.
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What factors influence the acceptance of an electronic catalog on the user/customer side? -
Timeliness and speed are the main factors that influence the customer's acceptance.
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What is most essential when preparing an electronic parts catalog? -
It is most important that the illustrations are prepared in such a way that they can be used in all conceivable environments.
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What is the most important criterion of a catalog for the customer? -
The major benefit of a sales catalog is its timeliness.
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What is an electronic catalog? -
A catalog is an arrangement of information and illustrations concerning parts or products, which can be accessed electronically. A catalog is very often tabulated.
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What makes more sense: a customized or a standard catalog program? -
This depends on your requirements, available time and budget.
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What kinds of electronic catalogs are there? -
Electronic catalogs are classified by the way they are distributed: via networks (internal networks or the Internet) or via CD-ROM.
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What functionality should be offered by an electronic spare parts catalog? -
What functionality to include in an electronic spare parts catalog should depend on the requirements of the user. The available functionality and the timeliness of the data are decisive factors for the users' acceptance of electronic catalogs.
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Which costs arise from the first creation of an electronic catalog? -
The effort for the first creation of a catalog includes the conception, the catalog software (custom development and/or standard product), the preparation of the data, and sometimes the production of CDs when this is the desired distribution method.
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What are the costs for creating an electronic catalog? -
The cost of the first creation and the cost of revisions must be taken into account. Depending on the software, these can be respectively high or low.
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What are the cost benefits of electronic catalogs in comparison with printed catalogs? -
Electronic catalogs primarily have lower creation and distribution costs than printed catalogs.
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Which program errors enforce an exchange of the catalog software? -
Errors that force exchanges are mainly failures that affect the catalog functionality and that have not been registered in former operating tests.
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What are the benefits and disadvantages of each electronic catalog distribution method? -
CD-ROMs are less expensive, but also less up-to-date while network-based catalogs are more up-to-date but the data transfer to the user usually requires a higher financial effort.
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What user benefits does an electronic catalog offer in contrast to a paper issue? -
Intelligent linking of the information in an electronic catalog is a major time saving benefit that does not exist in a paper issue.
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How does the catalog program create the displayed parts lists? -
Parts lists are mainly available in table form and are directly converted from a database into the catalog format.
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How much effort is the creation of an electronic catalog? -
The effort of creating an electronic catalog essentially consists of the data preparation and the programming of the catalog.
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How much effort goes into the creation of a printed catalog? -
After completion of the content, a paper catalog must be prepared for printing, and then must be printed and bound, which can take up to several weeks.
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How can I keep an electronic catalog up-to-date? -
When a catalog is distributed via a network, the timeliness of the data on the server determines the need to update. On CD, the updates must be reduced to a minimum.
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How can I use a part number to search for additional information in an electronic parts catalog? -
A part number within an illustration is linked to its corresponding entry in a parts list. Simply click on the number using your mouse.
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What is the most cost-effective method for entering my data into an electronic catalog? -
The most cost-effective method would be to utilize software that allows you to immediately load and link your data to an electronic catalog (assuming that this process would not require any special knowledge or further preparation on your behalf.)
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How does the electronic catalog software connect to the various data? -
In principle, electronic catalog software connects just as any other program: it simply loads the data into its program environment.
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How is a catalog usually structured? -
Catalogs usually consist of illustrations and associated parts lists.
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What factors go into a decision about software for electronic catalogs? -
First, you must decide whether you wish to have a customized or a standard solution.
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How should the existing illustrations for a printed catalog be fashioned so they can be used easily for the electronic version of the catalog? -
A homogenous vector graphics archive is the preferable way to store such information (i.e. all illustrations should be in the same vector format.)
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How should the existing text or parts lists for a printed catalog be fashioned so they can be used easily for the electronic version of the catalog? -
A database is the preferable way to compile such information.
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How should the links in an electronic catalog be saved? -
The links should not be saved in illustration files.
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How should a spare parts catalog based on Internet technologies be created initially? -
There are several possibilites.
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We already have a printed catalog that we would like to distribute electronically now. How do we get started? -
The answer to this depends on the type of your graphic and parts list data.
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We could easily convert our paper catalog into an electronic PDF version. Why should we take any further effort? -
It is true, PDF allows an entry into electronic distribution at low cost. However, there are many disadvantages for the user.
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What influences the total cost of an electronic catalog? -
The costs for an electronic catalog depend of various factors, among these the prerequisites inside the company, the kind of catalog and its volume.
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