WHAT IS FAB-DIS?

Origins & History of FAB-DIS

FAB-DIS is a data model designed by manufacturers and distributors, under the guidance of IGNES and COEDIS, to standardize and secure the exchange of product data between manufacturers and distributors in the electrical, sanitary, heating, plumbing, and tooling sectors. Since its launch, it has become the reference in France and will evolve in 2025 with FAB-DIS CONNECT, a collaborative platform to simplify, centralize, and enhance product data.

4 major phases in the history of FAB-DIS

The origins of FAB-DIS (2011–2014)

In the early 2010s, manufacturers and distributors in the electrical, sanitary, heating, plumbing, and tooling sectors faced a major problem:
• Heterogeneous product files
• A proliferation of formats (Excel, CSV, PDF, etc.)
• Loss of time and errors when integrating data into information systems.
It was in this context that FAB-DIS was created, driven by IGNES (manufacturers) and COEDIS (distributors).


The objective: to standardize product data exchanges between manufacturers and distributors through a single, structured, and shared format.

The first versions (2014–2017)

2014: Official launch of FAB-DIS 1.0
First structuring of technical, commercial, logistical, and marketing information.
Progressive adoption by manufacturers and distributors.
2016: FAB-DIS 2.3
Addition of new data families (e.g., photos, manuals, marketing documents).

Growth and maturity (2018–2021)

2018
Online Easy-Check service for validating manufacturer files distributed to distributors
2018–2021
Format consolidation to make it more robust and to meet the growing demand for digital catalogues.

Towards the new generation (2022–2025)

2023
• New data model: version 3.0
• Launch of FAB-DIS Inside (API-based synchronization for file verification between manufacturers and the Easy-Check service)
2025
FAB-DIS CONNECT: new platform for manufacturers, distributors, and B2B partners

logo fabdis 2015 2025
Oct 2025

FAB-DIS CONNECT

Centralized platform for sharing, validating, and distributing product data

Oct 2025
Jan 2023

Version 3.0 of the data model

Modernization of the model with the integration of new market practices (omnichannel, e-commerce, etc.).

Jan 2023
Jan 2023

FAB-DIS INSIDE

API development for PIM technology providers

Jan 2023
Jan 2024

Tool Move To

Service to convert 2.3 files into 3.0

Jan 2024
Jan 2022

FAB-DIS company

Creation of the FAB-DIS company (SAS)

Jan 2022
Jan 2018

Service Easy-Check

Online service allowing manufacturers to validate their FAB-DIS files before transmission

Jan 2018
Jan 2016

Version 2.3 of the data model

Addition of new data families: media, marketing documents, logistics codes.

Jan 2016
Jan 2015

Versions 1.0–2.0 of the data model

First official version of the standard format with technical, commercial, logistical, and marketing data

Jan 2015