Overview

Overview

The Product Portal is a Best Buy tool that provides vendors with a single entry point for submitting both item and content data in an efficient and accurate manner.

• The Product Portal is often referred to as PDM (Product Data Management), so you may notice the terms used interchangeably.

For Product Portal (PDM) related questions, please reach out to PDMBusinessSupport@bestbuy.com.

Assorting Products at Best Buy

Once you and the Best Buy Category Lead/Buyer have discussed what products are being assorted, you will then need to submit item and content data into Product Data Management (PDM). Below is information on the full process for assorting products at Best Buy.

1. Decide Assortment
   1. Vendor and Category Lead discuss new models and assortment
   2. Vendor sends key info to Category Lead (e.g. pricing, UPC, model, etc)
   3. Category Lead determines assortment and notifies the vendor what product(s) Best Buy will assort
2. Create Product SKU
   1. Vendor submits in the Product Portal (PDM)
      • Vendor ensures correct category is selected & reviews the Global and Category Data Standards to ensure data they submit meets standards
      • Vendor submits all required item attributes for SKU creation
      • Vendor submits all required content attributes prior to dotcom live date
      • Vendor submits as many OPTIONAL attributes as possible to enhance product experience and ensure their product appears in as many dotcom experiences as possible
        *** If the item is part of a secure launch, please reach out to your category team before uploading data into PDM.
   2. Vendor informs Category Lead the item has been successfully submitted
   3. Best Buy creates & communicates SKU
      • After receiving the setup request & confirmation of successful PDM submission, SKU(s) will be communicated via email within 2 business days
   4. Vendor submits videos & 3D models
      • Vendor reviews Global Data Standards to ensure their video and 3D model meet standards
      • Learn how to upload videos here
      • Learn how to upload 3D models here
3. Finalize and Launch Product
   1. Best Buy executes Pre-Live QA; or Post-Live Audit
      • Pre-Live QA: ~Limited SKUs for business needs
      • Post-Live Audit: ~Remaining SKUs not completed Pre-Live QA
      • Best Buy provides feedback to vendors via email if the content does not adhere to Best Buy Data Standards
   2. PDP goes live
      • SKU goes live on the date determined by the Category Lead (Site Display Date)
4. Update and Maintain Product Data
   1. Vendor makes updates in the Product Portal (PDM)
      • Vendor submits changes in PDM (e.g. cost changes, new copy, updated images, QA feedback changes)
      • Vendor contacts Category Lead directly for UPC update

Product Portal (PDM) Homepage Overview

Below is a walkthrough of the PDM homepage:

1. GLN
   • Change GLNs here (if you have access to more than one)
2. Download a category template
   • You can navigate the list of Best Buy categories by typing to narrow your search.
   • Choosing the correct category is critical to proper product setup. If you are not certain, please work with PDMBusinessSupport@bestbuy.com to confirm which category template to use.
3. Access the Global and Category Data Standards
   • All data uploaded must adhere to Best Buy standards
4. Upload your data file
   • Once you have finished entering information for your products in the category template, upload the file into PDM
5. Upload assets for your data file
   • Upload assets such as product images and product documents in order to generate an Asset ID to paste into the category template
6. Get feedback and errors for your products
   • Download existing product data and get error feedback for items
7. Get SKU and site display data for your product
8. By upload
   • View file and image upload history
9. Contact Us
   • Use this feature when you are in need of assistance with Product Portal (PDM)

Syndicated Content

What is syndicated content?

Content provided by manufacturers that is syndicated through a Syndicated Content Provider to participating retailers.

How does it work?

PDP Content: Best Buy gives vendors the choice to submit their product data directly to Best Buy using PDM, in adherence with our Data Standards, and/or partner with a Content Syndicator to do this on their behalf.

From the Manufacturer Content: Best Buy also gives vendors the option to submit supplementary content that lives within the From the Manufacturer accordion on the PDP (Product Detail Page). This content is visible on our primary site, as well as our mobile site, but it is not currently visible with the Best Buy App. This is the space Best Buy has created for brands to help tell their story.

Syndicated Content Providers

Vendors who decide to work with a syndicated content provider also have options on who will deliver their syndicated content to Best Buy. A contract with a Syndicated Content Provider will likely require a fee to provide all or partial product data in adherence to Best Buy Data Standards on your behalf.

• Choosing to contract with a Syndicated Content Provider to submit all or partial data is similar to other existing partnerships Best Buy has for syndicate content. Best Buy publishes an approved list of Syndicated Content Providers and the details, including the fee, are determined between the vendor and the Syndicated Content Provider.
• Please reach out to a provider to sign up for their services and submit the Syndicated Content Provider Authorization Form to PartnerSupport@BestBuy.com to authorize the provider to submit on your behalf. This form is only required if you are seeking an API Syndicated Content Provider.

A list of our approved Syndicated Content Providers, the type of content that they can submit, and the associated timelines can be found within the grid below.

API
If API is a viable option, please visit this link for more information and then contact PDMBusinessSupport@BestBuy.com to learn how to get started.

Vendor FAQs:

Does Best Buy have a preference of provider?

No. Best Buy publishes an approved list of PDM Content Syndicators and the details, including the fee, are determined between the vendor and the Content Syndicators. Visit the PDM Resource Page on the Partner Portal for more information.

What are the submission connections and SLA's to PDM and the Syndicated Content?

This may be different based on where Best Buy and the Content Syndicators are with development. The details in the table show how our providers are submitting both Item and Content data via PDM as well as the Syndicated Content.

Can I still make updates to my data if I partner with a provider?

Absolutely - you still have access to submit new data, as well as view and edit all your existing product data through PDM, even if you partner with a Content Syndicator.

Where do I direct vendors if they have issues with their syndicated content and/or content they have requested Content Syndicators to submit on their behalf?

Direct vendors to contact the provider directly for their account to troubleshoot issues, etc. In case they don't know their account representative, they can start with the below general Best Buy contacts.