Product Data Management

Get your products into the platform in minutes, not weeks

Drag a spreadsheet into the chat. The AI analyses your column headers — handling variations like “Product Name” vs “Item Description” vs “Article” — and proposes a mapping to the product schema. You review and confirm. Existing products are matched by SKU and updated, not duplicated. New products are inserted with all available fields populated.

No separate upload screen. No field-by-field data entry. No IT integration project.

Three ways to import. All AI-powered.

Spreadsheet upload — CSV or Excel, drag and drop. The AI handles messy headers, missing columns, and inconsistent formatting. Web import — Point the platform at your product catalogue URLs. The AI scrapes, extracts structured data, and presents up to 10 sample products for review. Conversational entry — Describe your products in plain language: “We have a navy puffer jacket, SKU PJ-001, GTIN 5060512345601, available in S/M/L.” The AI creates structured records from your description.

Full GS1 identification support

Every product record supports the complete GS1 standard: GTIN, UPC, EAN with automatic derivation and zero-padding between formats. Plus name, model, variant, SKU, batch number, serial number, size, colour, weight, and category.

Automatic GS1 GPC classification

When products arrive without a category, the AI classifies them using the GS1 Global Product Classification standard at the brick level. Over 60 GPC categories covering clothing, accessories, and footwear. This classification drives smart supplier matching downstream — products and suppliers are matched by category, not just name. The product editor gives you a full-screen table with inline editing, column sorting, search, and bulk operations. Changes sync in real time with AI assistants across every section of the platform.

Why does product data management matter for DPP compliance?

The EU Digital Product Passport under ESPR 2024/1781 requires every product to carry structured, machine-readable data across 15 categories defined by the EPRS framework. Before you can populate those categories, you need a clean, standardised product catalogue with proper identifiers. Without GTINs, GS1 classification, and consistent product records, the rest of the DPP process stalls.

Most brands have product data scattered across ERPs, spreadsheets, and supplier portals in inconsistent formats. The product data management module solves this by normalising everything into a single, DPP-ready catalogue. It handles the messy reality of product data: variant naming inconsistencies, missing identifiers, mismatched column headers, and duplicate records.

How does AI-powered product import work?

The AI analyses whatever you give it and maps it to a standardised product schema. For spreadsheet uploads, this means reading your column headers, proposing a field mapping (handling variations like “Product Name” vs “Item Description” vs “Article”), and letting you confirm before any data is written. Existing products are matched by SKU and updated rather than duplicated.

Web import works similarly. Configure your product catalogue URLs in Settings, and the AI scrapes each page, extracts structured product data (names, SKUs, categories, GTINs), and presents sample products for review. This is particularly useful for brands that maintain public-facing catalogues but have not consolidated their data internally.

Conversational entry handles ad-hoc additions. Describe products in natural language: “We have a recycled polyester running jacket, SKU RJ-042, GTIN 5060512345618, available in XS through XL.” The AI creates structured records from your description, handling multiple products in a single message.

All three methods feed into the same product database and are immediately visible across the platform, including the supplier matching and DPP data model modules.

What product identifiers and fields are supported?

Each product record supports the full GS1 identification standard:

• Identity fields — Name (required), model, variant, SKU, category (required)
• GS1 identifiers — GTIN, UPC, EAN with automatic derivation and zero-padding between formats. EAN (13 digits) and UPC (12 digits) are left-padded to 14-digit GTIN automatically.
• Traceability — Batch number, serial number
• Physical attributes — Size, colour, weight, weight unit

GTINs are essential for QR code generation and GS1 Digital Link resolution. Products without GTINs can still be managed in the catalogue, but they will be flagged during compliance assessment as missing a required identifier.

How does GS1 GPC classification drive downstream workflows?

GS1 Global Product Classification assigns each product a standardised category at the brick level. When the AI classifies a product as “Puffer Jackets” under the Outerwear segment, that classification is used for:

• Supplier matching — The platform matches products to suppliers by category overlap. A product classified as outerwear is automatically matched to suppliers the AI has identified as outerwear manufacturers. This is more reliable than name-based matching and is explained in detail on the supplier data collection page.
• Regulatory mapping — Different product categories may fall under different delegated acts with different timelines. Textiles and apparel are expected late 2026 / early 2027; batteries from February 2027. Accurate classification ensures the AI research assistant gives you the right regulatory guidance.
• Data requirements — The specific DPP data categories that apply can vary by product type. Classification helps determine which of the 15 EPRS categories are relevant.

The platform includes over 60 GPC brick categories covering upper body clothing, knitwear, outerwear, lower body, full body, sportswear, underwear and nightwear, workwear, accessories, and footwear.

How Aura helps

Product data management is the foundation of every DPP implementation. Aura reduces what is typically a 3-6 month cataloguing exercise to 1-2 weeks. The AI handles format inconsistencies, assigns GS1 classifications, and deduplicates records automatically. Every product imported is immediately available to the supplier management, DPP data model, and QR code generation modules. Your product catalogue is not a static database; it is a live, AI-enriched asset that powers the entire compliance workflow.

Frequently asked questions

Can I update existing products without creating duplicates?

Yes. Products are matched by SKU during import. If a product with the same SKU already exists, the platform updates the existing record with any new data from the import rather than creating a duplicate. This applies to all import methods: spreadsheet, web, and conversational.

What happens if my spreadsheet has missing columns?

The AI handles incomplete data gracefully. If your spreadsheet is missing columns like GTIN or category, the platform imports what is available and flags the gaps. Missing GTINs are highlighted during compliance assessment. Missing categories are auto-classified by the AI using GS1 GPC.

Does the platform support product variants (sizes, colours)?

Yes. Each variant can be stored as a separate product record with its own SKU, GTIN, size, and colour fields. This is important because each variant may need its own DPP under certain delegated acts, depending on whether the regulation specifies model-level, batch-level, or item-level passports.

Can I import products via API?

Yes. The platform provides RESTful endpoints for programmatic product creation, update, and retrieval. This is useful for brands that want to integrate Aura with existing ERP or PLM systems for ongoing data synchronisation.