How BetterCommerce’s PIM Solution Empowers HVAC Manufacturers and Distributors

Managing product data in the HVAC sector is no simple task.
Unlike retail, HVAC catalogs aren’t built for quick, off-the-shelf sales. They’re complex, layered, and packed with technical specifications, BOMs, and region-specific variations.

For manufacturers and distributors, this means that every product change, spec update, or new compliance requirement needs to be meticulously tracked, structured, and distributed across multiple channels.

But when data is fragmented across ERP, Excel sheets, and shared drives, catalog management becomes a bottleneck that costs more than just time—it costs sales.

That’s where BetterCommerce’s PIM comes in.

Unlike generic PIM systems that treat every SKU the same, BetterCommerce PIM is designed for industries where complexity is the norm. From variant-heavy product lines to localized content and multi-channel distribution, it centralizes product data into one governed source—making it easier for HVAC teams to manage, update, and distribute accurate product content in real time.

Let’s break down how it addresses the specific data challenges faced by HVAC manufacturers and distributors.

Why HVAC Manufacturers and Distributors Struggle with Product Data

In HVAC, product data isn’t just technical—it’s dynamic.
SKUs can vary by voltage, region, application, or component configuration. Distributors need different content formats. Compliance standards change by region. And when multiple teams are pulling data from different sources, consistency quickly erodes.

Here’s what that typically looks like in HVAC operations:

• SKUs Vary by Voltage, Region, and Configuration:
  A single HVAC unit might have multiple variants—110V for North America, 220V for Europe, custom configurations for specific industries. Without a structured system, teams end up duplicating SKUs or managing inconsistent specs.
• Parts, Accessories, and Kits Require Structured Relationships:
  Managing BOMs is challenging when components change frequently. If a valve or filter specification updates, it needs to cascade to every relevant kit or assembly—without manual intervention.
• Compliance Specs Vary by Market:
  Safety certifications, manuals, and regulatory docs often differ by region. When that data isn’t centralized, sales teams can accidentally send the wrong document, leading to missed deals or non-compliance.
• Data Silos Create Downstream Chaos:
  If engineering updates a BOM but sales is quoting from a two-month-old PDF, the risk of order errors skyrockets. Similarly, if PIM data doesn’t sync to ecommerce or CRM, customers may see outdated specs or prices.

In industries where a single misconfigured product can mean costly returns, warranty claims, or installation failures, data isn’t just a back-office issue—it’s a front-line sales problem.

How BetterCommerce PIM Solves Data Challenges in HVAC

In HVAC and manufacturing, data isn’t just a backend function—it’s the connective tissue that ties engineering, sales, and customer experience together. But when that data is fragmented, everyone operates on a different version of the truth.

BetterCommerce PIM is built to centralize and streamline complex product data, making it accessible, accurate, and actionable across the entire organization. Here’s how it tackles specific data challenges in HVAC:

1. Simplified BOM & Kit Management
Manufacturers managing multi-component products know the pain of updating specs, dimensions, and part numbers across multiple systems. BetterCommerce PIM structures BOM data logically, linking parent products to child components and kits.

• Example: An HVAC distributor selling a rooftop chiller can manage the base unit, optional accessories (like condensers or control panels), and localized variants (110V vs. 220V) without duplicating SKUs.
• When a component changes—say, a new valve is introduced—the update propagates automatically to every kit or assembly that uses that valve.
  This reduces errors, eliminates redundant data entry, and ensures that every department is working from the same BOM structure.

2. Region-Aware Product Content
In HVAC, product specifications often change by region. What’s standard in North America might be non-compliant in Europe.
BetterCommerce PIM enables region-specific content management without duplicating product records.

• How it works: Teams can define attributes by geography—voltage, regulatory standards, safety certifications—and manage them as variations under a single parent SKU.
• Impact: Sales teams can quote the correct regional configuration without manually cross-checking specs or scrambling for compliance documents.

3. Multi-Channel Syndication Without Rework
Your ecommerce store, distributor portal, and field sales team all need access to the same product data—but in different formats. BetterCommerce PIM automates this distribution process, pushing accurate, formatted content to every channel.

• Example: A new air handling unit is launched. PIM syndicates the specs, pricing, and documentation to:
  o    The ecommerce storefront with full product descriptions
  o    The CPQ system with technical attributes and BOM data
  o    Distributor feeds with customized pricing and stock levels
  Data is published once, formatted automatically, and synced across every channel—without manual rework.

4. Compliance & Documentation Control
In HVAC, compliance isn’t optional—it’s critical. Manuals, safety certifications, installation guides, and regulatory approvals all need to be readily accessible and accurately matched to the right product.

• Solution: BetterCommerce PIM centralizes all documentation, tagging each file by SKU, region, and product type.
• Impact: Whether it’s a compliance check, a service call, or a sales inquiry, teams can instantly locate the correct document for the right variant—ensuring accuracy and reducing risk.

5. Variant Management Without SKU Sprawl
One of the biggest data challenges in HVAC is managing endless product variants without drowning in redundant SKUs. BetterCommerce PIM structures product data logically, using attribute-based hierarchies instead of duplicating records.

• Example: A rooftop chiller with 10 configuration options (voltage, capacity, refrigerant type) doesn’t need 10 separate SKUs. Instead, it’s managed as a single product with variant logic—making it easier to update specs, manage BOMs, and push content to multiple channels.

BetterCommerce PIM doesn’t just simplify catalog management—it transforms data into a strategic asset, ensuring every team operates with clean, consistent, and actionable product information.

Real-World Example: How BetterCommerce PIM Transformed Data Management for a Regional HVAC Distributor

Data chaos doesn’t just disrupt operations—it costs revenue. And for HVAC distributors, where SKUs are highly configurable and regionally specific, inconsistent product data can be a serious bottleneck.

Case in Point: A regional HVAC distributor managing over 1,000 SKUs struggled with fragmented data across sales, ecommerce, and field service systems. Product specs were stored in spreadsheets, pricing data was maintained separately in ERP, and product images were buried in a shared drive.

The Challenges:

• SKU Duplication: Different versions of the same rooftop chiller were listed as separate SKUs due to voltage differences, leading to unnecessary complexity and confusion.
• Compliance Issues: Installation guides and safety certifications were often outdated or difficult to locate, risking non-compliance in key markets.
• Channel Inconsistency: Sales reps, ecommerce, and distributor portals all pulled data from different sources, resulting in inconsistent pricing and specs.
• Manual Updates: Every product update required manual data entry in multiple systems, increasing the risk of errors and delays.

The Solution: BetterCommerce PIM Implementation
BetterCommerce PIM was deployed to centralize all product data and enforce data governance across departments and channels. The implementation included:

• BOM Structuring: Parent-child relationships were created for multi-component units, linking core products with accessories and region-specific configurations.
• Localized Content: Attributes were segmented by region, allowing the distributor to manage voltage, capacity, and compliance differences without duplicating SKUs.
• Multi-Channel Syndication: Data was pushed to ecommerce, CPQ, and distributor portals automatically—ensuring every channel received accurate, up-to-date information in the correct format.
• Compliance Documentation: Certifications and installation manuals were tagged by product and region, making it easy to locate and distribute the right documents on demand.

The Impact:

• 50% Reduction in SKU Count: Variant logic replaced redundant SKUs, making data more manageable and reducing manual updates.
• Faster Product Launches: New SKUs could be configured, enriched, and syndicated in hours—not days.
• Improved Quote Accuracy: Sales reps could instantly access accurate product specs and pricing without cross-referencing multiple systems.
• Regulatory Confidence: Compliance documentation was instantly accessible, reducing the risk of shipping incorrect or uncertified products.

For HVAC distributors, clean product data isn’t just an operational perk—it’s a sales accelerator. BetterCommerce PIM transformed this distributor’s data from a liability into a competitive asset, allowing them to operate with clarity, consistency, and speed.

Final Take: Data Isn’t Just an Asset—It’s Your Competitive Edge

In HVAC and manufacturing, the margin for error is razor thin.
Misquote a product configuration, send the wrong specs to a distributor, or overlook a regional compliance requirement, and the cost isn’t just operational—it’s financial.

Product data isn’t just a backend concern. It’s the foundation for accurate quotes, smooth orders, and reliable customer service. And in industries where products are highly configurable and frequently updated, managing that data without a PIM is like driving blindfolded.

BetterCommerce PIM doesn’t just centralize data—it structures it, enriches it, and distributes it to every sales channel and team member. That means:

• Sales reps quote the right configuration, every time
• Distributors receive accurate product content, formatted for their systems
• Compliance documentation is accessible and up to date
• Engineering and marketing work from the same version of the truth

For HVAC manufacturers and distributors, it’s not just about handling more SKUs—it’s about managing data as a competitive asset. And BetterCommerce PIM is built to make that asset work harder, smarter, and faster.