Google Cloud Platform > Case Studies > Akeneo: Revolutionizing Retail with Google Cloud-Powered Product Information Management

Akeneo: Revolutionizing Retail with Google Cloud-Powered Product Information Management

Technology Category

Cybersecurity & Privacy - Security Compliance
Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms

Applicable Industries

Cement
Retail

Applicable Functions

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Construction Management
Inventory Management

Services

Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
System Integration

About The Customer

Akeneo is a global leader in product experience management (PXM) that helps businesses unlock growth opportunities by delivering a consistent and compelling product experience. With its open PIM platform, add-ons, connectors, and marketplace, Akeneo PXM Studio dramatically improves product data quality and accuracy, simplifies catalog management, and accelerates the sharing of product information. Founded in 2013, Akeneo offers brands and retailers a comprehensive Product Information Management (PIM) solution that centralizes product data, making it much easier to enrich and update. Today, the company serves more than 500 enterprise clients and employs more than 230 people in offices across Europe, Australia, and North America.

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The Challenge

Akeneo, a global leader in product experience management, was facing a significant challenge. The company had developed a comprehensive Product Information Management (PIM) solution that centralized product data, making it easier to enrich and update. However, the company was running into issues by 2016. While clients were pleased with the product, they had to either host the Akeneo PIM themselves or work with local partners to host it and get it running. This was a barrier for many potential customers who lacked the technical expertise. The existing on-premises infrastructure wasn't built for a web-based product, so Akeneo had to look to the cloud. However, they needed a cloud provider that could provide high-quality service globally and wouldn't be seen as a competitor by its retail customers.

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The Solution

After evaluating leading cloud platforms, Akeneo chose Google Cloud. The company began with a lift and shift of its existing infrastructure to Compute Engine virtual machines, forming a platform-as-a-service offering to clients. This approach minimized disruption while the company could explore its options with Google Cloud. Over the course of the next year, the company began developing its new web-based SaaS solution with a brand new infrastructure running on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE). Pub/Sub provided a reliable and scalable messaging solution for the new microservices-based architecture. Meanwhile, Cloud Logging and Cloud Monitoring gave Akeneo's IT team enormous visibility into the infrastructure and the means to act quickly when things need changing. Finally, Cloud Storage provided Akeneo with a safe high-performance online storage space for the millions of assets such as hi-res pictures that are associated with clients' product ranges.

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Operational Impact

The move to Google Cloud has brought about significant operational benefits for Akeneo. The company has been able to develop a close relationship with Google Cloud, taking advantage of co-marketing and co-selling opportunities. This has enhanced Akeneo's reputation, showing prospective clients the robust cloud technology behind the PIM. The high levels of security provided by Google Cloud have also been a major advantage, giving customers peace of mind about their product data. Furthermore, customer support has become much easier for Akeneo. With the cloud-based system, the company can help customers more quickly and easily. The move to Google Cloud has also transformed the way Akeneo's developers work. With Google Kubernetes Engine, they have more control over the whole life cycle of the product, leading to increased excitement and productivity.

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Quantitative Benefit

The SaaS product has been a big driver for Akeneo's growth, accounting for 70% of new contracts.
The Community Edition of the Akeneo PIM is thriving with more than 80,000 downloads.
Akeneo has dramatically sped up its release schedule, releasing updates every week instead of every six months.

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