Frequently Asked Questions
The objective of Promodata is simple…
to improve the data interface between suppliers and distributors for the purpose of
making the sale of promotional products easier and more profitable.
What is Promodata?
Promodata is a central promotional product database that is updated on a daily basis (suppliers using API’s) or manually (non API suppliers). The database takes the many formats of supplier data and converts it into a single format which makes it much easier to manage on websites and in back-end quoting and job management systems.
Promodata is only available to APPA supplier and distributor members.
How does Promodata work?
Promodata is more than a product databank. Promodata takes different formats of supplier data and converts it into a single common format. (In the USA they call this a Promostandards) Once in a common standard it is then possible to manage it and make efficient use of it.
Suppliers update Promodata in two ways:
The preferred way is via API but those suppliers that are not able to set up an API there is the Promodata V2 csv file upload.
For API connected suppliers Promodata logs into the suppliers server every 24 hours and checks for any product changes. The data is then updated meaning it is always current.
Stock Checks are live/made in real-time (it has to be) and on a product by product basis.
Data from Promodata V2 csv suppliers is currently loaded by the Promodata team when it is provided. Vendors will soon have the ability to maintain their own data by logging into Promodata via their own Supplier portal.
Every product edit is time-stamped so users of the data can see how current the data is. This also helps with verification.
Data that has not been updated by the supplier for 12 months will be marked as discontinued.
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What benefits does Promodata offer?
Promodata provides many benefits to both suppliers and distributors but the key ones are:
- Accurate product data.
- Speed of handling and managing product data.
- Accurate pricing for quoting and P/O’s etc
- Improved search capability on websites.
- Less mistakes as no need to manually enter product data.
- Speed to market, supplier data in hands of distributors within 24 hours
- Single data source – no need to trawl many websites or update multiple price lists.
Who are Promodata?
Promodata is an independent and separate company formed in partnership with APPA, Mark Hudson(Managing Director at Brandconnect) and David Phillips (Chief Developer at Promotional Programming).
Each partner brings considerable promotional products industry experience, expertise and knowledge to the problem of standardising supplier data and creating a database that can be then accessed by distributors.
The objective of Promodata is simple – to improve the data interface between suppliers and distributors for the purpose of making the sale of promotional products easier and more profitable.
What does Promodata cost?
Promodata is free for suppliers and there is a monthly subscription fee per entity license for distributors.
Distributors are able to access Promodata for free for testing and development purposes.
Contact Us for more information and a test API key.
How do Suppliers join?
Suppliers will need to sign an agreement which gives permission for Promodata to use their data.
Suppliers must be APPA members and can supply data via API (preferred method) or through the APPA format spreadsheet.
There is no cost to suppliers for supplying data to Promodata.
Which Suppliers are on Promodata?
Promotional Merchandise Suppliers are being added to PromoData all the time.
For a current list – please click the link below.
How do Distributors integrate the data?
Promodata will be supplied as a data feed. We will work with distributors by providing guidance and examples of how the data can be used but distributors will need a web-developer to make effective use of the data.
Distributors may wish to make use of all, or only part, of the data available.
How it is used and displayed will be down to them and their developer.
Where is Promodata hosted?
Promodata product data is hosted on servers in Sydney, Australia.
Promodata images are hosted and delivered via a multi-CDN (Content Delivery Network) that also has servers in Sydney, Australia.
What about support?
The Promodata team is also Australian based (including support)
We are happy to answer any questions, and provide assistance as required.