Hermann Pickles Product Naming Convention

Introduction to Hermann Pickles Product Naming Convention

To ensure consistency across all inventory, sales, and reporting systems, Hermann Pickles has adopted a standardized naming convention for all products. This format helps our team clearly identify each item at a glance, reduces errors, and improves communication across departments.

Each product name follows a simple and logical structure that includes who the product is for (if applicable), the pack size, the product type, and the packaging format. This system is now required for renaming all current items and naming all future products.

Purpose:
To ensure consistency, clarity, and accuracy in product listings used in sales, reporting, and inventory systems.

Element Breakdown:

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General Format:

[Customer/Brand Name if applicable] – [Pack Size] [Product Description] – [Container Type]

Examples:

• Hermann – 5 Gal Whole Dill Pickles – Pail

• Bob’s Market – 2 Gal Sliced Bread & Butter Pickles – Plastic Jar

• Retail – 16oz Sweet Relish – Glass Jar

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Rules for Naming Products:

1. Naming Rules:

   1. Brand or Customer Name

      • Use Hermann’s or Nathan’s if it is one of our standard, branded products.

      • Use customer/partner name (e.g., Bob’s Market) only if the product is privately labeled.

      • Do not include “Private Label” in the name; the customer name implies it.

   2. Case Pack

      • State the number of units per case (e.g., 1, 6, 12).

      • Use numerals only (no “ct” or “pcs”).

   3. Pack Size

      • Use consistent units (e.g., 32oz, 24oz, 16oz, 55gal 5gal, 2gal).

      • Use un-capitalized abbreviations: oz, gal, lb

   4. Product Description

      • Be specific and consistent (slice, chip [crinkle cut, 3/16th 1/4th], spear, half)

        • Whole Dill

        • Kosher Spears

        • Sweet Relish Chip

        • etc.

      • Capitalize each word. Avoid internal jargon or shorthand for clarity.

   5. Container Type

      • Choose from standardized types:

        • Glass

        • Rigid-Plastic

        • Deli-Tub

        • Pail

        • Drum

        • Pouch

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Additional Guidelines:

• Avoid extra spaces, inconsistent punctuation, or abbreviations.

• Retire outdated products during renaming if they are no longer actively sold.

• Consistency across listings is key — all similar products should follow the same structure.

• Retail-ready items (e.g., Hermann-branded products) begin with “Hermann.”

LIMIT: QuickBooks Online (QBO) limits the Item Name (also called Product/Service Name) field to 100 characters.

Here are a few tips to stay within that limit:

• Keep names concise while following your naming convention.

• Avoid unnecessary words like "Private Label" (as you've done).

• Abbreviate thoughtfully only where clarity is not lost (e.g., use "Gal" for gallon).

• If a name gets too long (close to the 100-character cap), prioritize:

  1. Brand/Customer

  2. Pack/Case Info

  3. Product Description

  4. Container Type

     1.

     Name: Bob’s Market – 6 2 Gal Bread & Butter Chips – Plastic Jar
     Character count: 63

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     2.

     Name: Hermann’s – 6 5 Gal Whole Dill Pickles – Pail
     Character count: 54

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     3.

     Name: Nathan’s – 12 16oz Sweet Relish – Glass Jar
     Character count: 49