Flamco

Flamco is a manufacturer of expansion systems, fittings and assembly equipment for heating, cooling and drinking water systems. Flamco has offices throughout Europe.

The Flamco office in the Netherlands is the place where all publications are made for all foreign offices. Depending on the local marketing plan and budget, for each country a choice is made between a simple price list for a comprehensive set of brochures and an extensive price list including technical and commercial details. The size of the print run for publications is also determined per country.

Previously, Flamco hired an advertising agency to create all publications in Quark XPress. However, organising translations, renewing lay-outs and checking the many publications became increasingly problematic. More and more correction rounds were needed, and there was no longer any comprehensive overview of the product range and the accompanying validated information.

In addition, Flamco was looking for a system that would substantially simplify the creation of multi-lingual publications. In the end they selected Catalogger. In Catalogger, the database also includes all texts in the relevant languages. As a result, to process changes in, say, dimensions and weight, a single entry now suffices because the changes are equal in all languages. In order to further improve its service to wholesalers and fitters, Flamco also wanted to be able to put its entire product range on the Internet. By combining Catalogger with Stentor they can now reuse the same data immediately for their online publications.

What solutions did Guidance provide?

• The Catalogger content management and database publishing solution for creating and managing two different types of price list in fourteen languages, focused on local price lists and product ranges. A number of foreign offices are now able to manage their data in a central database in the Netherlands from a distance;
• A dynamic website in five languages including an extensive search mechanism, made using Stentor and based on the Catalogger database. The website includes deep-link facilities for wholesalers;
• A CD-ROM made with Stentor and based on the Catalogger database. The CD-ROM enables fitters to pick products from the tube and assembly materials range using a unique selection tool, and manage their projects effectively.

Applications

Paper publications:

• A full-colour price list for assembly materials in fourteen languages. The product range, the amount of information and prices may differ from country to country;
• A full-colour price list for the vessels and appurtenances range in fourteen languages. The product range, the amount of information and prices may differ from country to country;
• Internal price list for sales reps;
• Customer-specific price lists stating customer name and logo. Parts of the price list can be customised, for example for inclusion in a quote.

Internet site:

• An Internet catalogue of the full product range in five languages. The product range may differ from country to country;
• Extensive search and selection options. Search results can be filtered in advance by indicating the section of the product range to be searched. There are also search options based on keyword or product feature, and an index-based search tool;
• The products are accompanied by additional technical details and specifications;
• For a number of products users only need to press a single button to download PDF files with additional information, such as product leaflets and manuals. These files can also be found in a separate downloading section on the site;
• Deep-link facilities are provided for the buyers of Flamco products. They can place a specified link on their own websites, including an article number or EAN code. Visitors who click on such a link are directed immediately to the relevant article on the Flamco website. Renowned traders in the installation sector, including Technische Unie, Thermonoord and Vegro, have already begun using this functionality.

CD-ROM application:

• Fitters are able to manage their products in the tube and assembly material range effectively;
• Previous orders can be retrieved and re-entered as new orders;
• When ordering materials, fitters are guided through the process step by step. The system calculates the amount of material required for each specific project;
• Once the product has been selected, the application automatically indicates the corresponding accessories and immediately excludes all non-compatible items. It also calculates the number of the accessories required.