FAB-DIS 3.0 is now available
The FAB-DIS format is mainly used in France to exchange media, product, price, ETIM and logistics information. Since 2023, FAB-DIS version 3.0 has been available. This is what has been improved in FABDIS 3.0 compared to FABDIS 2.3.
4 reasons to switch to FABDIS 3.0
FAB-DIS version 3.0 has been developed to make it easy to integrate new requirements or updates into the model without changing the structure. As a result, changes have as little impact as possible on FAB-DIS users.
In version 3.0, there are more possibilities to enrich content. For instance, the number of media types that can be managed per target audience or per language has doubled. Also, you can now manage variants, allowing your customers to better select or filter by, for example, size, colour or other features of your products.
You can now add related products to encourage additional sales. For example, consider linking parts and accessories in the customer’s shopping basket, promoting similar products (with a higher value) or showing second-hand products.
You can now add product lifecycle data. For example, think of promotion periods, stock circulation, release dates and marking end-of-life products.
You can now add data on the ecological footprint of your products, such as the percentage of recycled materials, information on sustainability, the traceability of hazardous substances and the presence of precious metals. This allows you to respond to the new regulations around the circular economy and sustainability.
Why was the new FABDIS version developed?
FAB-DIS has 7 years of experience of the needs and challenges of construction, industry and infrastructure. Building on this experience, there is a need to keep up with changes in the market. Why?
FAB-DIS version 3.0 meets these expectations by providing a structure that:
FAB-DIS: Developed by and for users
The strength of the FAB-DIS model rests on the professional expertise of the community of users. Version 3.0 is no exception!
Over the past 3 years, suppliers and distributors have shared their competences and experiences to define the new conditions for product specifications, incorporating the wishes of specialists in other fields (marketing, logistics, quality…).
A process of collaboration with one common goal – to adapt to:
The result: a new model to help suppliers and distributors do better with their customers!
What is new in FAB-DIS 3.0?
Changes to the FAB-DIS model are made in response to change requests from users of the model. The requests are examined by experts within the various sectors using the FAB-DIS model and checked against market needs and legal requirements.
The FAB-DIS 3.0 model is designed to last as long as possible and changes can be made easily, without affecting the structure of the model. For example, attributes and values can be added to certain tables, impacting only the users using those tables. This way, users are affected as little as possible by any changes.
The FAB-DIS model structure
The FAB-DIS model consists of more than 200 fields divided into 12 thematic blocks. These fields contain all the product data needed to offer products. Thanks to the precise definition and unambiguous format of the data, product information can be published and shared efficiently.
FAB-DIS attributes
Nearly 150 attributes are managed within FAB-DIS. These attributes are expressed in 9 blocks with xTYP fields, for example: MTYP in block B03_MEDIA and RTYP in block B04_REGLEMENTARY. The FAB-DIS Kit (available to users) describes all attributes, including examples.
Tables in FAB-DIS
In FAB-DIS, you will find almost 90 tables with more than 23,000 values. These are named in the various fields or attributes. Think of units, battery usage or colour, among others. An overview of all tables and values can be found in the FAB-DIS Kit (available for users).
What is FAB-DIS?
5 mandatory blocksThe first 5 blocks contain mandatory fields. These contain the data considered necessary to offer products on webshops and in sellers’ apps.
Identification
The first block is B00_CARTOUCHE. This block contains the identity of the custodian of the product data. It is mandatory to make it available within the FAB-DIS model.
Commercial data
The second block is B01_COMMERCE. This block contains the product data needed to carry out a commercial transaction and to feed the ERP system of distributors and vendors.
Logistic data
The third block is B02_LOGISTIQUE. This block contains all data related to dimensions and weight of the product. The purpose of this block is to optimise the logistics process.
Media
The fourth block is B03_MEDIA. The purpose of this block is to improve the customer experience by adding media to a product. The enriched information can then be published in a webshop, in (print) ads and in applications.
Laws and regulations
The fifth block, B04_REGLEMENTARY, contains all information related to laws and regulations. Consider, for example, mandatory documents and seals of approval associated with a product. Its purpose is to improve product compliance.
FABDIS 3.0 is designed to minimise the impact of updates and changes on users
Additional information in FAB-DIS
7 additional blocksWithin FAB-DIS, 7 additional blocks have been added for manufacturers who want to go further in enriching their product data. Completion of this data is not mandatory.
Additional data
The C01_EXTENSION block contains additional product data that further informs consumers about the product, e.g. external features.
Alternatives
Block C02_CORRESPONDANCE is mainly relevant to boost ancillary sales to generate additional sales. This block also contains alternatives to the selected product.
Variants
Block C03_VARIANTE contains quick selection criteria to find variants of a product within a model or range.
ETIM-data
When products must comply with the ETIM standard, ETIM data can also be added within the FAB-DIS model. Block C04_ETIM has been developed for this purpose. More than 15,000 properties are available in this block to describe more than 6,000 product groups.
EOL-products
There are times when you still want to make information available to consumers about products you no longer sell. Think, for instance, of maintenance advice or related accessories. You can put this information in block C05_ARRET.
Substitutes
Another reason for not removing old products is to be able to offer substitutes. You can provide information on alternative products in block C06_SUBSTITUTION.
Statistics and organization
The last available block within the FAB-DIS model does not focus so much on consumers, but rather on internal processes. Block F01_PYRAMIDE contains the structure of statistics and nomenclature.
FAB-DIS in Proplanet PIM
At Proplanet, we are currently in the process of integrating FAB-DIS as a standard format into our PIM system. If you already use FAB-DIS, we can help you configure an export in the PIM system so that you can properly export the data to buyers who require FAB-DIS data. If you would like to know more about this, please contact our consultants.
Contact our consultants