Cardonet, Inc. introduced version 3.0 of its e-catalog automation platform. The new software release provides greater flexibility and control over catalog data transformations and features a new automated product classification system that both speeds and simplifies the set-up of online catalogs. Version 3.0 is entirely web-enabled and supports content in any language. The most significant new features include: Auto-classification functionality that generates rules and recommended mappings for products and product categories between source and target taxonomies. System or user-generated keywords, find utilities, and a built-in map for UNSPSC categories and codes help to automate the traditionally time-consuming manual process. Catalog data from multiple sources is more efficiently converted into a single browsing structure organized for the most efficient buyer discovery process, and the classification of custom catalogs based on customer or channel preferences is streamlined. Integration of category-level attributes with Cardonet’s rules-driven transformation engine for the cleansing, normalization, and validation of product information. Users can apply unique rules and set default values for any attribute at any level within the catalog structure (taxonomy), enabling the same attribute to be handled differently for different categories or individual products. Other 3.0 features include web-enabled access of all major functions in the Cardonet e-catalog automation platform. The web access is supported by enhanced authorization and authentication capabilities. In addition, all catalog data is now handled as double-byte characters, allowing Cardonet to support catalog content in any language. The 3.0 release of Cardonet’s catalog automation platform is available immediately. Software prices vary depending on the specific configurations of the Catalog Manager and Channel Manager. www.cardonet.com