Smart data exchange via 2BA with ETIM xChange

Remeha

Remeha has been a specialist in heating comfort since 1935. The company develops innovative solutions such as heat pumps, boilers, and thermostats. As part of BDR Thermea Group, active in more than 70 countries, Remeha operates in an international context. With an extensive and technical product portfolio, the company manages large volumes of complex product data and specifications. Our PIM Masters implemented inriver PIM and created a smart integration with the 2BA data pool.

PIM as the foundation for product data

The growing demand for data and increasing complexity made a central and standardized approach to product information essential. Within Remeha and across the other organizations of BDR Thermea Group, Inriver PIM has been implemented. Previously, product data was managed across multiple sources, requiring significant coordination to keep data consistent and up to date. With Inriver PIM, Remeha now has a single central environment for all product data, including technical specifications and supporting assets such as product images, manuals, and certificates.

Standardized data exchange via 2BA

Remeha has been supplying product data to the 2BA data pool since 2005. This is a widely used source for sharing product information between manufacturers, installers, and wholesalers in the Dutch construction and installation sector. With the implementation of Inriver PIM, this data flow has been further optimized. Data is not only centrally managed in PIM, but also shared in a standardized and automated way across the entire chain.

Data pools like 2BA play an increasingly important role in the construction and installation sector. At the same time, many manufacturers and wholesalers underestimate what it takes to make product data 2BA compliant. It impacts your data model, governance, processes, and integrations.
Patrick Mallee, Senior PIM Consultant at XSARUS PIM Masters

Structured according to the ETIM standard

To ensure consistent product information, 2BA uses the ETIM-standaard. Each product type has its own ETIM classification, which defines the required data fields. In addition, 2BA supports multiple exchange standards, including DICO Sales, ETIM xChange, and BMEcat. ETIM xChange was selected deliberately. This international exchange standard aligns well with the international nature of the organization.

Together with Remeha, we took the time to build a solid foundation for applying this classification and exchange standard. This requires clear choices in how you structure your data model, which attributes you define per product type, and which fields you make mandatory. Clear agreements were also made about data management and data quality.

The choice for ETIM xChange and a central PIM solution ensures consistent product data and enables standardized exchange across our chain.
Erwin de Vries, Product Datamanager at Remeha

Integration with 2BA within Inriver PIM

2BA is not only technically integrated with Remeha’s PIM system, but fully embedded in the Inriver data model and processes:

  • The ETIM structure is directly mapped into the Inriver data model
  • Per product type, the correct ETIM classifications are automatically applied, including the required attributes and fields
  • Validation and mapping logic are configured in line with ETIM xChange and 2BA requirements
  • Mandatory fields ensure data is complete and accurate before publication

What are the benefits for Remeha?

The output from Inriver PIM aligns seamlessly with 2BA requirements. As soon as a product in Inriver reaches “active” status, publication to 2BA starts automatically. New products and updates, such as price changes, are immediately pushed to the data pool. This increases efficiency, reduces manual effort, and improves data quality.

By managing product data centrally and connecting it directly to the chain, manual steps are eliminated and data quality improves structurally.
Erwin de Vries, Product Datamanager at Remeha

This makes a clear difference in daily operations. Remeha manages around 15,000 products with extensive technical specifications and 18,000 related assets. With Inriver and the automated integration with 2BA, this remains manageable while the market always has access to up to date Remeha product information.

Ready for the future

The Inriver implementation and the smart integration between PIM and 2BA form a strong foundation for further growth. In the coming years, new PIM functionalities will be added to further optimize data management. XSARUS PIM Masters and Remeha continue to strengthen their collaboration, focusing on further standardization, automation, and scalability of product data. The next step is the integration with the Belgian data pool InstallData.