Web-based electronic product cataloging

Web-based electronic product cataloging (EPC/Web) refers to the use of information technology (IT) such as database, multimedia and Internet in compiling and providing product catalogs by manufacturers and using and selecting products by customers. The resulting electronic product catalogs can be accessed through web browsers on the Internet/intranet. Paper-based product catalogs are used manually and have limitations such as being difficult to update and tedious to search. When they are replaced electronically, these shortcomings are overcome and extra features are also provided to aid the process of archiving and selecting product information. This paper reports on an effort made to prototype an easy-to-use web-based EPC system with sufficient cataloging functionally. The method of experience gained and lesson learn in developing this prototype system are discussed.