Summary #

As the eCat administrator, you play a critical role in ensuring your sales team gets maximum value from the platform. You're the go-to person for user support, data accuracy, and platform configuration. This article helps you understand what that means day-to-day and how to succeed in the role.

Overview #

What Does an eCat Administrator Do? #

The eCat administrator is your company's in-house expert on the platform. You're responsible for keeping eCat running smoothly, supporting your sales reps, and working with SuperCat's team to optimize your implementation.

This is not an IT role requiring technical skills, and it's not a full-time job. It's a support role that requires consistent attention, good judgment, and a commitment to helping your team succeed.

Why This Role Matters #

Your effectiveness as an admin directly impacts your sales team's productivity. When you:

• Keep data accurate and up-to-date, reps can trust what they see
• Respond quickly to user questions, reps stay productive
• Monitor usage patterns, you can identify training opportunities
• Work proactively with SuperCat, your team benefits from new features and optimizations

The right admin can transform eCat from "just another tool" into a competitive advantage for your sales team.

Your Key Responsibilities #

As eCat administrator, you're responsible for these core areas:

User Management and Training #

• Set up new users and manage permissions
• Train new team members after go-live
• Support your reps with questions and troubleshooting
• Monitor usage to ensure reps are fully using the app

Data and Content Maintenance #

• Keep eCat data accurate and up-to-date with product information, pricing, and inventory
• Manage product images and ensure they display correctly
• Maintain PDF catalog formats for your team's needs
• Organize the eCat library with categories, collections, and stacks

Platform Configuration #

• Configure visibility settings to control what each user sees
• Set up pricing access by user group
• Customize features to match your sales process
• Review reports to understand how your team uses eCat

Partnership with SuperCat #

• Interface with SuperCat's team to resolve issues and request enhancements
• Participate in training to stay current on new features
• Provide feedback to help improve the platform

Note: Administering eCat is not a full-time job. Most admins spend a few hours per week on routine maintenance, with additional time during onboarding or major data updates.

What Makes a Successful Admin #

Successful eCat administrators share these characteristics:

Product and Business Knowledge #

• Solid understanding of your company's products, pricing, and sales process
• Familiarity with how your reps sell and what information they need
• Awareness of your business goals and how eCat supports them

People Skills #

• Patient personality - you'll support and train users regularly
• Good communication skills to explain features clearly
• Service-oriented attitude toward helping your team

Technical Comfort #

• Comfortable with technology (but not intimidated by it)
• Proficient with spreadsheet programs like Excel for data management
• Quick learner who can use documentation to figure things out
• Careful and accurate when making configuration changes

💡 Tip: You don't need to be a programmer or IT expert. eCat's admin tools are designed for non-technical people. Most admins come from sales or marketing departments, not IT teams.

The Right Mindset #

The best admins have three things in common:

They understand the impact. They see how their work affects the sales team's effectiveness and take ownership of eCat's quality.

They want the role. They're excited about making a difference and helping the team succeed, not just checking boxes.

They have the capacity. They have the time, authority, and support from leadership to do the job well.

Getting Started: Your First Steps #

If you're new to the admin role, here's how to get oriented:

Step 1: Complete Your Admin Training #

SuperCat provides dedicated admin training that covers:

• Navigating the Admin Console
• Managing users and permissions
• Maintaining product data
• Configuring platform settings
• Using reports and analytics

This training is your foundation. Schedule it early and come prepared with questions.

Step 2: Explore the Admin Console #

Spend time clicking through the Admin Console to understand:

• Where key features are located
• What settings control different aspects of eCat
• How changes you make affect what users see

Don't worry about breaking anything - most changes can be easily reversed.

Step 3: Set Up Your Support System #

Establish how you'll support your team:

• Create a process for users to ask questions (email, Slack, etc.)
• Bookmark the SuperCat Knowledge Base for reference
• Save your SuperCat contact information for escalations
• Consider creating internal documentation for company-specific processes

Step 4: Learn Your Data Update Process #

Understanding how to update eCat data is critical:

• Identify your data sources (ERP, PIM, spreadsheets, etc.)
• Learn the process for exporting and formatting data
• Practice making small updates before large ones
• Understand how long updates take to appear in eCat

💡 Tip: Most admin questions can be answered in the Knowledge Base. Bookmark articles you reference frequently and use the search function to find answers quickly.

Troubleshooting #

I'm overwhelmed by all the admin responsibilities #

Solution: Start with the basics. Focus first on:

1. Supporting users with login and basic navigation questions
2. Keeping core product data accurate
3. Attending SuperCat training sessions

Advanced features like custom reports and complex configurations can wait until you're comfortable with the fundamentals.

My team isn't using eCat consistently #

Solution: This is a common challenge. Try:

• Understanding why: Ask reps directly what's preventing adoption
• Addressing barriers: Common issues include missing data, slow performance, or lack of training
• Getting leadership support: Adoption improves dramatically when leadership reinforces expectations
• Sharing success stories: Highlight reps who are using eCat effectively

Contact your SuperCat representative if adoption challenges persist - they can help identify root causes.

I don't have time to be an admin #

Solution: If you're consistently spending more than a few hours per week on admin tasks (outside of initial setup or major projects), something may be inefficient. Common time-savers include:

• Automating data updates instead of manual entry
• Creating self-service resources so users can answer their own questions
• Batching similar tasks (like user setup) instead of doing them one-off
• Working with SuperCat to streamline your processes

If the role truly requires more time than you have, discuss with leadership about adjusting responsibilities or adding support.

I made a mistake in the Admin Console #

Solution: Don't panic. Most configuration changes can be reversed:

• If you just made the change, use your browser's back button and try again
• Check the Knowledge Base for the correct settings
• Contact SuperCat support - they can often restore previous settings

For data mistakes (like incorrect product information), you can usually fix them by uploading corrected data.

💡 Tip: When in doubt, reach out to SuperCat support. They'd rather help you fix something quickly than have you struggle or make additional mistakes trying to figure it out alone.