Transition to S2Class – the new classification system

What will change?

Previous system (until February 18, 2026)

• Use of ECLASS 5.1 (as of 2005)

• Suppliers must provide catalogues in ECLASS 5.1.

• Customers receive ECLASS 5.1 at the ERP interface.

• Approval processes and assortment rules are based on ECLASS 5.1

New system (from February 19, 2026)

• Introduction of S2Class , the new classification system from simple systems

• The platform uses S2Class internally.

• Suppliers can send any ECLASS version from 5.1 to 16.0

• Simple system automatically maps all versions to S2Class

• Customers will continue to receive ECLASS 5.1 at the ERP interface
  (or another version upon request).

• Rules and processes will be based on S2Class in the future.

• Article overviews and product detail pages display S2Class

Why is the change being made?

Problems with ECLASS 5.1

• Outdated: ECLASS 5.1 dates back to 2005

• High effort for suppliers: modern ECLASS versions require complex downconversion.

• Missing product categories: new product groups (e.g., smartwatches) are not included.

• Limited control options: Rules and restrictions can only be roughly mapped.

Advantages of S2Class

• Future-proof: compatible with ECLASS 5.1 to 16.0

• Greater flexibility for suppliers: no down-conversion necessary

• Significantly more precise rules: for permits and product range restrictions

• No changes to existing ERP interfaces

How does S2Class work?

The principle

Supplier (ECLASS 5.1–16.0) → simple system (S2Class) → Customer (ERP, desired ECLASS 5.1–16.0)

Automatic mapping

1. A supplier sends a catalogue, e.g. in ECLASS 12.0

2. Simple system automatically maps these classes to S2Class

3. All rules on the platform work with S2Class

4. When ordering, S2Class is mapped back to the desired ECLASS version.

5. The ERP system retains its usual classification.

What are "mapping blurs"?

ECLASS versions differ in structure, classes, and hierarchies.
Therefore, discrepancies can occur when mapping between old and new versions.

Example: Smartwatch

• ECLASS 5.1: no separate class → assigned as "clock"

• ECLASS 10.0: Classification under "medical device"

• ECLASS 16.0: separate class “Smartwatch”

S2Class assigns classes according to ECLASS recommendations.
Depending on the supplier data, the resulting assignment may vary.

Possible effects

• Rules that block "watches" may no longer block smartwatches.

• Rules that permit "medical devices" could also permit smartwatches.

Example: Safety shoes

• In this case, after migration, the old ECLASS foot protection 40011300 only blocks ECLASS safety shoe 40250700 in the 3rd position and all those above it . Safety boots or rubber boots move to a different subclass or change completely from 40 to 46. Here, blocking must be done both in the 4th position and in a completely new category.

Example: Hard drives

• In this case, drive 19030200 is locked. During migration to S2CLASS, this drive changes to 1950700. Therefore, all drives in S2CLASS are locked. Since the hard drives from drive 19030209 have moved to their own class, 19159, it is not sufficient to lock only drive 19159290. All hard drives in the 3rd and 4th positions must be blocked. 

How often does this happen?

Such cases are rare, but can occur – especially in:

• new product categories

• renamed classes

• changed hierarchies

At the same time, S2Class offers approximately ten times the number of settings to precisely control which items users are allowed to see or order.

What do administrators need to do?

Before February 18, 2026

No action is required.
The switchover will be fully automatic.

After February 19, 2026:

Review processes

Step 1: Review approval processes

1. Settings > Open approval processes

2. Review processes that are based on ECLASS classes

3. Add test item to shopping cart

4. Review the approval logic

5. Adjust classes or add new classes as needed.

Time required: approx. 5–10 minutes per process

Step 2: Check product range restrictions

(February 19 – March 5, 2026)

1. Settings > Open assortment restrictions

2. Check restrictions based on ECLASS classes

3. Testing rules

4. Adjust visibility and blocking settings

Time required: approx. 5–10 minutes per restriction

Step 3: Review private budget allocations

(February 19 – March 5, 2026)

1. Settings > Controlling > Open Budgets

2. Review restrictions based on ECLASS classes, and review account-based and user-based budgets.

3. Testing rules

4. Adjust visibility and blocking settings

Time required: approx. 5–10 minutes per restriction

Important for customers with ERP integration

• No changes necessary

• Standard remains ECLASS 5.1

• Other versions can be configured optionally.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need to do anything before February 19th?
No, the changeover will happen automatically.

Will there be any changes to the ERP interface?
No, it will still be ECLASS 5.1 (or your preferred version).

What are mapping inaccuracies?
Discrepancies in the mapping between different ECLASS versions.

How long does the review of my processes take?
Approximately 5–10 minutes per process or restriction.

Can I continue to use ECLASS 5.1?
Yes, everything remains the same at the ERP interface.

What happens to existing catalogues?
They will be automatically mapped to S2Class.

Do suppliers need to be informed?
No, simple system handles the communication.

What to do if you encounter problems?
Please contact our support team:
📧 support@simplesystem.com
📞 +49 89 9982987-00