08. June 2021
What is PIM? Definition of product information management
PIM initially means Product Information Management and includes the management and maintenance of product information. Product information is often not stored centrally in companies, but is distributed in different systems. In a PIM system, all relevant product data is managed centrally and stored or referenced in a media-neutral manner in order to make the data available for various output channels. PIM therefore refers to both the management of the data and the underlying infrastructure – i.e. processes and technology.
Areas of application of a PIM system in the company
As soon as product information is to be published in different output media in a company, it makes sense to manage and maintain this data in a PIM system. This ensures that all publications use the same database in the event of an update (single-source-of-truth).
Typically, data from an ERP system, manufacturer data, sales and marketing information and data from text or asset/MAM databases are integrated into a PIM system. The data is summarized, translated, checked and made available for the various output channels in the PIM system. This means that consistent product data can be made available on the website, in the online store, in promotional mailings, in mobile apps, in product documentation and in print and online catalogs
. The output media are numerous and scalable.
How does a PIM system work?
Product information management is not just another building block in your company’s IT landscape, it also takes your information management to a whole new level. Interfaces (APIs) between all existing database systems are essential so that product data can be called up and processed for various purposes in individual departments regardless of the platform. This makes the PIM system the central access point for all relevant product information.
Tasks and advantages of a PIM system
A PIM system is the key technology for better interlinking and processing of product information. In this way, optimization potentials can be exploited and a significantly better customer orientation can be achieved.
The introduction of a standardized PIM system offers numerous advantages for companies:
- Less effort for data maintenance and therefore high efficiency and resource conservation: product data and changes are entered once centrally and are available to all departments.
- The quality of the database is significantly improved and secured.
- Products and offers can be presented in a target group-oriented manner in a wide variety of sales channels without significant time expenditure.
- Publications such as catalogs or theme worlds can be created much more easily. Thanks to process automation, catalog updates can be carried out quickly and easily.
- Internationally active companies can easily translate product data and marketing texts into all required languages using structured data.
- Advantages in search engine optimization thanks to a large database and detailed information options.
In principle, a PIM system can therefore optimize numerous processes. The time required for data searches and data processing is reduced enormously and, at the same time, all departments in the company can build on a significantly better database. The simultaneous output of information to different channels in different languages is no longer a problem, making it much easier to address individual target groups
Good to know
With our many years of experience and expertise, we will find the optimal solution for your company and are happy to implement a PIM system according to your requirements. This includes the analysis, data modeling, output definitions, system selection, migration and integration of interfaces, as well as the operation of the system. Of course, this always includes individual adaptations so that everything is tailored to the needs of your company in the end.
You can find out more under PIM systems for companies.
Maximilian Gärber
Technical Consultant | PANTOPIX
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