Out-sourcing MRO Catalog Management
By Mary Cenedese

Out-sourcing your Catalog Management is a big step for any organization. It sounds great in theory, but the execution is not always clear. What exactly can you expect from the service provider? How does it really work? …and most importantly: Is it the right thing to do?

Often the decision to out-source your Catalog Management function can turn out to be more advantageous than you had ever imagined. Not only is your data integrity maintained, but some additional unexpected side benefits may also be realized.

Catalog Management companies have dedicated staff who are constantly working with parts data and manufacturers’ catalogs all the time. Many of them are former tradespeople with the expertise to also know part applications. In other words, they truly are knowledgeable experts in inventory parts. And when you out-source, they start to work for you. Not too many organizations can boast that they man their Catalog team with such expertise.

Complementing this are software tools that have been developed to allow the cataloguers to work quickly and efficiently. These tools ensure consistency in layout, structure, and nomenclature. Pre-defined part templates provide the cataloguers with attribute lists from which to choose the appropriate selection. Links to electronic versions of manufacturers’ catalogs allow easy retrieval of additional information to enhance item descriptions.