Sneak Peek at the New IDEA Connector Platform

IDEA, founded about 25 years ago in a joint venture by NAED and NEMA, with the primary objective of being helping manufacturers and distributors improve product data-driven transactions and processes via development of a central repository of product data, is moving to a new operational platform to deliver the data.

For distributors, IDEA represents a “one-stop shop” for product data to drive ERP and other systems. Populated by manufacturers, distributors can interact with manufacturers knowing that the data is the same as that which the manufacturer has … so there is standardized data to ensure transactions match (i.e. EDI) and errors are reduced. And distributors count on IDEA especially for flow goods lines as well as project lines that they regularly support.

IDEA is moving to a new platform in September and shares a sneak peak with ElectricalTrends:

Data Syndication Platform Goes Live in September

Distributors and manufacturers have been guiding the development of a new infrastructure for the industry-owned IDEA Connector^sm, which serves more than 7,000 distributor locations and represents more than 700 manufacturer brands. The IDEA Connector platform offers improved features and more flexibility for eBusiness success now and in the future.

A data syndication SAAS platform, IDEA Connector is ushering in new opportunities for efficiency for distributors and manufacturers with enhanced capabilities for accessing accurate and timely product and pricing information for use in both eCommerce and ERP systems. As a result, distributors can access 2.5 million SKUs of product information directly from manufacturers more efficiently and securely.

 “The IDEA Connector platform will empower distributors to advance in eBusiness and efficiency. With this new technology, we’ll be poised to better respond to our customers and the pressures of the marketplace now and in the future,” said Larry Stern, president of Standard Electric Supply Co.

The Connector platform will also enable the industry to better utilize technology to reduce costs, and better enable the sales process with more timely and accurate product related information, such as:

• Machine to machine data transfer to and from IDEA via API’s.
• eCommerce syndication for distributors, reducing internal costs and promoting products faster.
• Data syndication for manufacturers, reducing the number of connections manufacturers need to support.
• Enhanced data management for manufacturers and distributors via IDEA Fusion.

Additionally, within the platform, there are additional capabilities to enhance the user experience: 

• A staging area for a manufacturer to validate and review data quality prior to import to IDEA Connector.
• Data edit by the manufacturer within IDEA Connector.
• Ability to download smart sheet templates.
• Self-serve search.
• Single username to access all accounts.
• Mapping tool: Distributors can select all the product attributes they want to bring into their business systems by utilizing the easy-to-use graphical user interface. Custom formats and data transformations can be applied to customize the output in the distributors’ desired format.
• Data quality tool: Distributors can customize and select the attributes for scoring, enabling them to grade the manufacturer based on their specific needs.

What to Expect

The platform will be rolled out in fall 2019, preceded by customer training. The rollout plan is designed to be seamless, as the platform will be backwards compatible to the current IDW.   

To help electrical distributors and manufacturers maximize the value of their investment in IDEA’s technology, several learning opportunities are available.

As a distributor, IDEA represents a key tool in helping to streamline data processes and reduce errors. Same for manufacturers but also essential as a tool for flow good suppliers that want to be defined as “easy to do business with” and be able to have a chance to get into distributor ERP systems.

To learn more about IDEA Connector, contact IDEA or, better yet, attend next month’s eBiz conference.