CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

18 January 2012

Implementation Investments

Beretta Leverages Centric Software for Digital Sales Catalog Creation

Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. is using product lifecycle management (PLM) software for apparel from Centric Software to create digital catalogs for the global sales of its clothing and accessories division.

Centric’s Collection Management module enables Beretta’s sales and marketing teams to create customer-specific, electronic product catalogs and assortments for customer presentation. Combined with Centric’s patent-pending Collection Book for iPad app, Beretta can present a collection of styles to customers through an interactive mobile device—whether online or offline. Alternatively, Beretta sales staff can create personalized portals that customers can access via any browser-based connection to view customized collections developed by sales.

Up-to-the-minute presentations, enhanced user experience

In using the Collection Management module and Collection Book for iPad app, Beretta is able to generate electronic, localized trade catalogs for every market each time the company launches a new collection. The sales team can easily select an assortment relevant to a particular market or customer, localize for language and specific promotional pricing, and publish dedicated catalogs. As a result, Beretta continuously maintains up-to-date catalogs in a “green” and sustainable manner, and eliminates the cost and waste of printing more than 18,000 traditional paper catalogs each year.

In addition, the Centric PLM software is allowing the company’s sales force to present the distinctive and innovative characteristics of the Beretta product line with broad image galleries and multimedia content, says Paolo Buffoli, head of marketing and communications at Beretta. “The digital books are easy to use, attractive to customers and replace a time-consuming printing process.”

“The digital catalog has been an important investment, a step toward the future that speaks to the critical role of innovation in our company, and our capacity to anticipate customer needs,” says Buffoli. “Unlike its paper equivalent, the digital catalog is not a solution born and buried in one season, but a tool we can update, improve and adapt to market needs on an ongoing basis.”

Centric’s Collection Management module and Collection Book for iPad app are transforming Beretta’s product launch approach, says Chris Groves, CEO at Centric Software. The solutions, he explains, are collapsing the time from style to customer, helping the company to connect more directly and interactively with its customers, and enhancing the Beretta customer buying experience. “At Centric, we are delighted to help extend the rich Beretta brand experience into the product launch and buying cycle – and gain valuable insight and input on mobile product strategy as we work with such a strong, iconic company.”

Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A.

Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A., established in 1526, is the oldest industrial dynasty in the world, tracing its roots through 16 generations of continuous family ownership in Italy. Firearms bearing the Beretta name have been sold for almost 500 years.

In the early 1990s, Beretta added to its traditional sporting guns production a complete line of hunting apparel and accessories, clay target shooting, and outdoor sports items. The Beretta clothing and accessories line is sold in leading gun shops in Europe and America, through the Shop in Shop chain, and 900 points-of-sale with dedicated corners. In addition, the company operates the Beretta Galleries, directly managed flagship stores, and the U.S. e-commerce website http://www.berettausa.com.

Since 1996, Beretta Holding S.p.A. has controlled Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. The holding company also controls major sports weapons and optical equipment manufacturers, and Italian and foreign sales and distribution firms. In the 2009 financial year, Beretta Holding reached a consolidated turnover of 450.2 million euro.

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