Retail Data Integration for Category Management
Built for category managers, IT teams, and retail operations.
The Unified Data Engine is a SQL-based platform that connects ERP, POS, product, and stock data into one system, powering planograms, assortments, and floor plans from a single source of truth.
How do typical retail data systems compare to a unified approach?
Most retail environments weren’t designed as one system.
They’re built from multiple tools that each solve a specific problem, but don’t stay connected.
Typical setup (legacy approach)
ERP manages transactions, POS captures sales, planograms are built separately, and floor plans sit in another system
Each area works independently.
But over time:
❌ Data gets duplicated
❌ Files fall out of sync
❌ Teams start working on different versions
That’s when execution starts drifting away from the plan.
The DotActiv Approach (Unified Data Engine)
The DotActiv Difference:
The Unified Data Engine connects everything into one structured system. That means, all data sits in one SQL-based environment, every module pulls from the same dataset, and changes reflect across planning and execution instantly.
✓ Planograms reflect actual product and stock data.
✓ Assortments align with store clusters and performance.
✓ Floor plans connect directly to category decisions.
✓ Teams work from the same version of the truth.
INTEGRATION WITHOUT THE AGONY
Integration shouldn’t take months. DotActiv’s Standard Staging Tables act as a universal translator, allowing you to plug your existing retail data (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, etc.) directly into our engine with minimal friction.
The 5-Feed Foundation
Our architecture is built on five critical data streams that provide a 360-degree view of your retail environment:
FEED NAME
Market Feed
Product Feed
Sales Feed
Store Stock
DC Stock
WHAT WE CAPTURE
Store hierarchy, clusters, and regions.
Dimensions, brand, and merchandising groups.
Units, Value, Cost, and Ranging.
Store-level balance and period-end inventory.
Distribution Center availability.
THE STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE
Enables precision-localized space planning.
Ensures physics-compliant, shelf-ready planograms.
Drives ROS (Return on Space) and data-led assortments.
Visualizes "Ghost Inventory" and prevents stockouts.
Synchronizes the shelf with the actual supply chain.
WHY THE UNIFIED DATA ENGINE WINS
When you choose DotActiv, you aren’t just buying a tool; you’re upgrading your retail infrastructure.
- 2-Way Data Flow: Unlike “Read-Only” competitors, DotActiv doesn’t just pull data. We push Causal Data (Facings, Capacity, MDQ) back into your replenishment system.
- Physics-Based Planning: Our engine understands that a product can’t fit on a shelf if the dimensions don’t work. We use your data to enforce physical reality.
- Automated Maintenance: As your SQL database updates with new sales and stock data, your reports and planograms stay relevant without manual intervention.
FROM SHELF CAPACITY TO SUPPLY CHAIN REALITY
Why do out-of-stocks happen despite “good” data? Because your replenishment system doesn’t know the physical capacity of the shelf.
The Unified Data Engine calculates the Minimum Display Quantity (MDQ) and total shelf capacity. By feeding this “Causal Data” back to your ERP, we ensure your replenishment engine orders based on physical shelf reality, not just historical averages.
The Results:
- 30% Reduction in out-of-stocks.
- 15% Increase in inventory turnover.
- Zero manual data reconciliation between departments.
Ready to Unify Your Retail Data?
Stop fighting your data and start using it to win the shelf. Schedule a technical deep-dive with our data experts and see the Unified Data Engine in action.
The Cost of Disconnected Data.
In legacy systems like Blue Yonder or Spaceman, your data often lives in "silos." An assortment lives in one file, a planogram in another, and a floor plan in a third. When a SKU changes or a store is remodeled, these links break.
The DotActiv Difference:
We’ve eliminated the “Data Gap.” Our Unified SQL Architecture ensures that every module—from clustering and assortments to space planning and floor layouts—pulls from the exact same database.
- No Manual Syncing: Update a product dimension once; see it everywhere instantly.
- Version Control: One single source of truth for your entire category team.
- Data Integrity: Eliminate the human error inherent in file-based legacy workflows.
Customer Success
Proactive support to ensure your team is using the software confidently and effectively.
What you get:
- 1-on-1 live training
- Onboarding and continuous enablement
- Workflow and process guidance
- Best practice recommendations aligned to your business
DotActiv’s Built-In Support Tools
Support is also embedded directly into the platform to reduce dependency on external help.
Lola (AI Assistant)
- Real-time, context-aware support inside the software.
- Answers questions based on what you are working on.
- Can query your data and provide insights.
PowerBase (Knowledge Base)
- Searchable guides and tutorials.
- Step-by-step instructions.
- Regularly updated content.
DotActiv Academy
- Structured training programmes.
- Certification opportunities.
- Consistent methodology across teams.