1. AIM - Article Information Management
Kick-off / Training Session

2. GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING
To ensure everyone is able to hear clearly; participants are in ‘listen only’ mode to minimize background noise
If you do have questions, please use the chatbot
Typically at top right hand side of your screen
Raise your hand if you have lost audio or visual connection
Please log your questions
We will answer them at the end of the session
If we run out of time we will respond via after the session

3. AGENDA Overview – Welcome to AIM High-level Process & Workflow
Key Concepts
3 Key Data Elements – Core Data, Digital Assets, Category Specific Attributes
‘Batch’ and ‘Batch Article ID’
Portal Navigation
Submitting the 3 Key Data Elements
Digital Asset Submission
Core Data : directly through the portal OR via excel template
Category Specific Attributes
Pre-Submission vs Post-Submission Errors
Tracking Statuses

4. - Multiple tools & spreadsheets - Manual processes; inaccurate data
AIM is a multi-Year roadmap to introduce consistent processes and tools to manage article data and accelerate speed to market
Current State :
- Multiple tools & spreadsheets
- Manual processes; inaccurate data
- Limited visibility of onboarding status
2019 : Article Onboarding
- Domestic and Cross-border
- Store and online articles
Future State:
- Web-based portal :
- data and digital assets requested & validated upfront
- End to end workflow
- Automated set-up / maintenance
- Onboarding status dashboard

5. High Level Process & Workflow

6. AIM Work Flow Initiation Data/Digital Asset Submission
Review & Enrichment
Article Set-up

7. AIM Work Flow Initiation Data/Digital Asset Submission
Review & Enrichment
Article Set-up

8. AIM Work Flow Initiation Data/Digital Asset Submission
Review & Enrichment
Article Set-up

9. AIM Work Flow Initiation Data/Digital Asset Submission
Review & Enrichment
Article Set-up

10. The 3 Key Article Data Components
KEY CONCEPTS :
The 3 Key Article Data Components
Core Data
Digital Assets
Category Specific Attributes

11. Core Data
Some examples of core data include : UPC/GTIN, article description (EN / FR), dimensions and weight. These are just a few examples.
43lbs
UPC:
30 x 26 x16 inches
Corliving Workspace Executive Office Chair in Caramel Brown Leatherette

12. Core Data
Core data also includes Online Category Attributes, which establishes the department search criteria for the online article listing, like this: Home / Furniture / Home Office Furniture / Office Chairs

13. Digital Assets
Digital Assets support the online sale of an article, such as images or instructions for customers to download.
During the core data entry, asset file names must be provided to associate the data and images to the article when it is published online.
Office_chair.jpg
Office_chair.jpg

14. Category Specific Attributes
Category Specific Attributes are specific characteristics of the article that further enhance the online retail experience by helping customers narrow their search.

15. 3 Key Article Data Components
All 3 key article data components are critical in the article creation process.
Core Data
Digital Assets
Category Specific Attributes

16. Batch ID and Batch Article ID
KEY CONCEPTS :
Batch ID and Batch Article ID

17. Batch ID and Batch Article ID
To onboard articles in AIM, a Batch is created with a defined article count and assigned a Batch ID.
A Batch Article ID will also be created within the batch. The number of IDS is dependent on the article count.
In this example, the batch was created with article count of 4.
BATCH
12676

18. Batch ID
The Batch ID is a unique identifier throughout the entire onboarding workflow.
BATCH
12676
BATCH
12676
12676

19. Batch Article IDs
Data and digital assets can be entered for an individual, multiple or all Batch Article ID(s).
Note that an individual or multiple Batch Article ID(s), can be submitted independently of the other Batch Article IDs.

20. KEY CONCEPTS :
Portal Navigation

21. Accessing the Portal

22. Number of batch article ids
To Do Dashboard
Once you access the AIM portal, you will land on the Article Onboarding To Do screen.
To start working on a batch, select the Vendor Input box.
Number of batch article ids

23. Vendor Input– Article Onboarding To Do
Locate batch ID using filter

24. Entering Data Directly into AIM Portal (“UI”)
Data Can be entered directly into the portal, which is in a grid view.
“Jump Links”

25. Entering Data Through Excel Spreadsheet Templates
Data Can be entered through excel template – download and upload capabilities :

26. Vendor Input– Article Onboarding Batch Summary

27. Training Resources
You will be able to access training resources from multiple locations :
- HD Link, Zendesk or within the portal.
- “AIM2LEARN” videos will provide you through instruction for each step of the process

28. Submitting the 3 Key Data Elements
What is the Workflow?

29. AIM Work Flow : Initiation
Data/Digital Asset Submission
Review & Enrichment
Article Set-up

30. Box.com to upload digital assets
Batch Invitation
Box.com to upload digital assets
Jonathan Doe
Jonathan Doe

31. Submitting the 3 Key Data Elements Digital Asset Submission
What is the Workflow?

32. AIM Work Flow : Data / Digital Asset Submission
Initiation
Data/Digital Asset Submission
Review & Enrichment
Article Set-up

33. Uploading Digital Assets (Images)
Create a Box.com account before uploading digital assets

34. Uploading Digital Assets (Images)
Upload digital assets ( e.g. Images, PDFs, etc.) to BOX.com;
Digital assets will be validated ( file format, pixel, etc.) and you will be notified at submission if any assets do not pass validation.

35. Submitting the 3 Key Data Elements
Core Data
What is the Workflow?

36. Entering Core Data Core Data can be entered :
a) directly through the portal
b) through the excel template downloaded from AIM

37. Core Data – Data Entry Validations
Onscreen Validation
Data Entry Validation

38. Core Data : Excel Download / Upload
You will have the ability to ‘Download All’
OR Specific lines; ‘Download Selected’

39. Core Data : Excel Upload
For regular batches

40. Core Data : Excel Upload
Uploading of large batches, best practice is to automatically submit

41. Core Data – Excel Upload Validations

42. Submitting the 3 Key Data Elements Category Specific Attributes
What is the Workflow?

43. Category Specific Attribute Template

44. Submitting the 3 Key Data Elements Batch / Article Submission Steps
What is the Workflow?

45. Submitting Batch / Batch Article ID(s)
Now that all the applicable data has been entered, it’s time to have it reviewed and validated.
Don’t forget to ‘Save’ and ‘Validate’ first. Once your certain that all of the information is correct, click the Submit button.
Entering Category Specific Attributes

46. Batch / Batch Article ID(s) Successful Submission !
The green banner notification shows that your article data has successfully been submitted for review.
Please note : once successfully Submitted, the data is locked and you won’t be able to make any changes.

47. Pre-Submission Errors
What is the Workflow?

48. Pre-Submission Errors
Once you’ve entered data and uploaded images :
- Save
- Validate ( fix any errors )
- Submit.
You won’t be able to submit for review if there are errors outstanding. If you click Submit and you haven’t fixed all the errors, you’ll receive a red banner notification and the red icon will appear under the Notifications column.
Entering Data on the AIM Portal

49. “Pre-Submission Errors”
If Errors are not correct prior to submission, AIM will notify you that there errors must be resolved :

50. Post-Submission Errors
What is the Workflow?

51. AIM Work Flow Initiation Data/Digital Asset Submission
Review & Enrichment
Article Set-up

52. Post-Submission Error E-mail
Home Depot Vendor

53. To Do Dashboard
Once you access the AIM portal, you will land on the Article Onboarding To Do screen.
To view the batches requiring your review, see ‘Vendor Revision’

54. Reviewing a Batch under ‘Vendor Revision’
Rejected line item status changes to “Vendor Revision ”.
Click “Comments” to view rejection details

55. AIM Work Flow Initiation Data/Digital Asset Submission
Review & Enrichment
Article Set-up

56. Tracking Statuses

57. Vendor Input– Article Onboarding Batch Summary
Status:
New -- New Batches have been created but haven’t been actioned by the vendor yet
Vendor Enrich – Batches have been working by the vendor
In Progress – Batches have been working between THD and Vendors
Complete – New article has been onboarded and article number is assigned and the product is ready for publishing online
Abandon --- THD has decided not to onboard the articles

58. Tracking Statuses
It is important to note that Batch status maybe different from the Batch Article ID status.
For ex. : Only when all batch article ids within a batch are complete, will the batch status be ‘Complete’.
If batch article ids within a batch are at varying status, the batch status will be ‘In-Progress’

59. Tracking Statuses
Click on the batch to open up the Status window. This Status window shows all of the different types of ‘Line Item Status’, line by line, and also shows the Article Count that corresponds to each status.
Remember : each batch article id moves independently

60. RECAP : Article Onboarding in AIM
 Article is Created and Ready to Publish Online !
 Unique batches for easy tracking
 Secure Portal access
Improved speed to market
Quality data and images
More Efficient process
Visibility to onboarding status
Handy ‘To Do’ tab
Upfront checks
AIM2LEARN self-supported training

61. THANK – YOU !