Product Data Standard

The ALA Technology Committee has established a data standard for the lighting industry to simplify exchanging item data. This standard is set up as a simple one-page spreadsheet of all common attributes and pricing that are typically used to describe lighting products. A manufacturer can easily output and send this to its showrooms and reps, who can then can quickly import data into their business systems and be completely up-to-date. Manufacturers that use the standard are recognized as being ALA Data Compliant.

Download the Data Standard as an Excel Speadsheet.
 

ALA Electronic Product Data Standard (vs_3.0_7/2011)
Field_Name_ Length Format Required Field Explanation  Example
Item_SKU 40 Char Y Item number / SKU BB1234
UPC 14 N Y Includes check digit 12345678901234
Product_Name 40 Char Y What is product called Full Moon Chandelier
Short_Description 40 Char Y Use for invoices & ordering 12 bulb bronze hall chandelier
Theme 35 Char N Collection or Group Name Tiffany
Category 35 Char N Type of item Chandelier
Unit_Increments 4 N Y Increments that the item must be purchased in 6
Order_Minimum 3 3 Y Minimum order quantity 6
Order_Unit_of_Measure 3 Char Y Units item is sold in. EA=Each, IN=Inches, FT=Feet, Set EA
Wholesale_Price 9 7.2 N Wholesale unit price 225.55
Retail_Price 9 7.2 N MSRP - Retail sales price 325.00
Sale_Price 9 7.2 N Discounted price / sale/ discontinued 150.00
IMAP 1 Char N Internet Minimum Advertised Price enforced on this item Y
IMAP_Price 9 7.2 N IMAP calculated price 405.99
UMAP 1 Char N Universal Minimum Advertised Price enforced on this item Y
UMAP_Price 9 7.2 N UMAP calculated price 405.99
Height 5 3.2 Y Expressed in inches 15
Length 5 3.2 Y Expressed in inches 12
Width 5 3.2 N Expressed in inches 12
Extends 5 3.2 N Product extends from the wall in inches 3.5
Weight 7 5.2 Y Item in pounds 2.60
Cartons_per_Unit 3 3 N Number of cartons 2
Carton_Height 5 3.2 N Expressed in inches 1st carton 18.00
Carton_Length 5 3.2 N Expressed in inches 1st carton 15.00
Carton_Width 5 3.2 N Expressed in inches 1st carton 15.00
Carton_Cubic_Feet 4 3.1 N Expressed in Cubic Feet 1st carton 3.5
Master_Pack_Barcode 14 N N Barcode for master pack 12345678901234
Packed_Weight 7 5.2 N Complete item packed wght in LBS 10.50
Voltage 4 N N Number of Volts 120
Number_of_bulbs 3 3 N per unit 12
Type_of_bulbs 20 Char N Type of bulb Fluorescent
Max_Wattage 5 5 N per unit 180
Number_of_bulbs2 3 3 N per unit 2
Type_of_bulbs2 20 Char N Type of bulb Fluorescent
Max_Wattage2 5 5 N per unit 180
Bulb_Included_ 1 Char N Bulbs Included (Y=Yes, N=No) Y 
Number_of_arms 2 2 N per unit 4
Safety_Rating 15 Char N Safety type list: UL, CSA, ETL, CUL (comma separated) UL,CUL
Shipped_Via 6 Char N UPS, NonUPS, TRK=Truck Item, etc. UPS
Status 1 Char N A=Active, N=New, C=Closeout, P=Planned termination, D=Delete, O=Obsolete/Discontinued A
Status_Date 8 yyyymmdd N Item Status Effective date 20060120
Ranking 10 Char N Internal rankings of SKU's  
Sales_Price_Info 50 Char N Notes explaining promotion Special
Designer 35 Char N Artist Jane Doe
Energy Star 1 Char N Energy Star Compliant Y=Yes, N=No Y 
Special Features 20 Char N Special feature of the item (free form to your need) Duo Mount
Finish 35 Char N Finish of the item Aged Gold
Finish_Category 35 Char N Black, Brass, Bronze, Brushed Nickel/Pewter, Chrome/Polished Nickel, Combination Finishes, Copper, Gold Finishes, Gray, Miscellaneous, White, Wood Finishes Gold
Style 35 Char N Style of the item Olde English
Style_Category 35 Char N Art Glass, Contemporary, Country/Rustic, Craftsman/Mission, Crystal, European, Tiffany, Traditional, Transitional, Wrought Iron European
Shade 35 Char N Shade Description Amber
Glass 35 Char N Glass Description White Opal
Crystal 35 Char N Crystal Description Swarovski
 Long_Description  1000  Char  N  Long description of the item  This 12-Light Olde English Chandelier will sweep you right into the ballroom of a Jane Austen novel with its Aged Gold Finish and candle-like appearance.
Image_Name 40 Char Y File name of the item's image 1492-bz.jpg
Dark_Sky 1 Char N Dark Sky Compliant (Y=Yes, N=No) Y
ADA  1  Char  N  ADA Compliant (Y=Yes, N=No)  Y
Title_24 1 Char N Title 24 Compliant (Y=Yes, N=No) Y
Outdoor_Listed 1 Char N Listed for Outdoors? (Y=Yes, N=No) Y
Install_Position 20 Char N Only facing upwards, Upwards, Either up or down, Only facing downwards, Left, Right Upwards
Backplate_Width 5 3.2 N Expressed in inches 6
Backplate_Height 5 3.2 N Expressed in inches 5
Downrod_Width 5 0.75 N Expressed in inches 0.75
Blade Pitch 3 3 N Expressed in degrees 12
Light_Kit_included 1 Char N Light Kit included? (Y=Yes, N=No) Y
Blade_Finish 35 Char N Finish for fan blades Mahogany
Base_Item_Number 40 Char Y Main number of an item without finish codes and other miscellaneous addendums 1234
For questions, assistance, or to make suggestions, please email Jason Petersen at jason@xologic.com or fill out the comment form found at http://www.xolights.com.