TRIXIE and crossbase - simplifying the translation process

As the European market leader for pet accessories, TRIXIE regularly supplies around 5,000 specialist retailers
in Germany with around 6,500 articles for dogs, cats, birds, small animals, fish and reptiles. The extensive range is exported to over 100 countries. The entire logistical support and processing is carried out from the company headquarters in Tarp.

Based on the crossbase standard software, a PIM, MAM and cross-media solution was implemented for TRIXIE and the existing PIM system was replaced. The extensive databases were successfully migrated. The articles are periodically imported for the TRIXIE and jollypaw brands with prices and basic data via the XML interface. The process is triggered automatically as soon as a new item is created. In crossbase, the articles are maintained with characteristics and product relationships on a merchandise group-specific basis. The inheritance concept is used here, as many properties, images and descriptive texts can already be defined for the article group. As texts often consist of reusable components, these are generated as text modules according to a text template, managed separately and assigned. The translation process is controlled via the countries. The web frontend for online translation and review is used for this purpose. Product photos, application images, pictograms etc. are managed using the integrated MAM and other image formats are automatically generated using the graphics converter. Product-independent media elements are also managed. Stock photos are provided with metadata on the license rights.

In order to be able to use products in the printed catalogs, for packaging and for the country-specific online catalog, the products are referenced in marketing-specific product views for the corresponding sales channels. The print catalog is produced semi-automatically with crossbase and InDesign. The layout is pre-positioned according to a rough scheme and the page layout is saved back to the crossbase database for subsequent language changes and print runs. For the online catalog, which is based on an add-on to the ERP system, the data is provided via the API server and defined REST services (JSON).

Barcodes for the print catalog and other uses are created with crossbase.media.