Product taxonomy
Also called product classification
Reviewed by Dasha ShakovVP Marketing, Proton
Updated
What is product taxonomy?
A product taxonomy is the system of categories and subcategories a distributor uses to organize its catalog, such as Plumbing > Valves > Ball valves. It also sets the attributes each category should have, and it is what makes a large catalog browsable on a website and reportable in the ERP.
How it works
Some distributors build their own taxonomy and others align with an industry standard. UNSPSC is widely used for purchasing and spend analysis, and ETIM, which began in the European electrical wholesale sector, defines product classes along with the exact attributes each class should carry.
Product taxonomy example
After a merger, the same gloves sit under Safety in one catalog and Janitorial in the other, and both catalogs have to be mapped onto one taxonomy before the websites can combine.
Further reading
Related terms
- United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC)The United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC) is a global system that gives each kind of product or service an eight-digit code.
- Product attributesProduct attributes are the structured facts that describe a product, such as size, material, voltage or certification, each stored in its own field.
- Product information management (PIM)Product information management (PIM) is software, and the process around it, for collecting, enriching and publishing product data from one place.
- Category managementCategory management is the practice of running each product category, such as fasteners or janitorial chemicals, as its own business.
