Product Information Management

"The future of e-Commerce consists of many sales channels integrated into one universal platform."

Product Information Management (PIM) is an innovative product base management system. At first glance, it looks like another online shop, the only difference is that it has much more advanced functions. Nothing more wrong! A store is just a fraction of the possibilities offered by product information management systems. The world's most famous brands have successfully used the platforms potential for years.

Over the years, many tools have been created to make the purchase process smoother. However, none of them was comprehensive enough combine all sales-related areas: from both the user's and the entrepreneur's points of view. The PIM (Product Information Management) platform solves these problems.

PIM - the perfect system for your data management.

PIM, or Product Information Management system, helps enterprises manage their data across all channels. Retailers can use it to quickly update product details such as descriptions, technicalities and SEO, ensuring that consumers receive accurate information daily.

Additionally, they can quickly modify and upload SKU-level data to their sales feeds. Due to its extensive capabilities, this product information management platform is more than just an online shop - rather a perfect system for comprehensive data management for any business that yearns for growth and software development within their company. 

What distinguishes this platform from others available on the market? The keywords are versatility and development. PIM software is a platform that can simultaneously perform the following functions:

• store and manage digital data and metadata;
• edit data: text and graphic content;
• manage customer experience;
• manage teamwork, including planning and monitoring of taken actions;
• store product data: multimedia and descriptive library,
• communicat with the entrepreneur: wholesaler, retailer, and supplier;
• manage many sales channels, including offline ones.

Development and flexibility are the main elements of the PIM family tools. They enable easy customization to clients' needs and among others integration with other company systems. If it is not possible directly, the PIM tool allows importing or exporting data in basic file formats.

Depending on user needs, you can choose the most convenient way to include the Product Information Management software in the company's infrastructure. For one, you could receive the choice of instal the system on internal servers or place it in the cloud without overloading the company's IT infrastructure.

The creators of Product Information Management systems design specialized modules and add-ons based on customers activities to meet the requirements of entrepreneurs and end-users. Active PIM community supports further platform improvements. Having such a valuable source of information, the possibilities for developing this system seem limitless.

What companies can benefit from using PIM?

As PIM is a complex system that manages all product information, it is perfect for many companies that need a one-of-a-kind platform to handle their assets. However, it will mainly benefit enterprises that, for instance:

• control complicated product content and relationships;
• manage a large number of SKUs;
• distribute goods and services through many sales channels;
• collect information from numerous vendors;
• require accurate product information by several teams;
• face many tedious and manual activities; increase or regularly update product offers.

PimCore is an advanced open-source tool operating on the Symphony Framework, used by over 80,000 companies in 56 countries. In 2018, the Product Information Management platform received the title "Cool Vendor", awarded by the Gartner organization to companies that create systems supporting business activities with innovative technology.

Akeneo is an open-source technology solution with a modular Symfony3 structure. This Product Information Management platform is available in 3 versions: Community Edition, Enterprise Edition, and Cloud Edition. In May 2019, Adobe awarded Akeneo at the "Magento Imagine 2019" event. Notably, they were granted the prestigious prize for the successful Akeneo PIM and Magento 2 integration as the firs company ever.

PimCore vs Akeneo - which Product Information Management platform is better?

Despite many similarities between the mentioned Product Information Management solutions, PimCore and Akeneo are still very different, especially regarding features. While the first excel in supporting teamwork and collaboration, providing ready-to-use functions, the latter offers, for instance, a built-in photo editor, the possibility to create a printable PDF product card and the option to host its online catalogue.

Additionally, Akeneo is a Product Information Management e-commerce system that provides high-quality descriptions, monitors statistics and enables you to automatically updates information. Both e-commerce PIMs, however, offer standard product information management functionalities. Therefore, deciding which one to choose should depend on your business's unique needs and desired outcomes.

For a medium-sized enterprise, the goal will be, for example, e.g. digitization or systematization of resources it possesses. The next step will be a gradual expansion. Also it may struggle with dynamic development, which could cause chaos. For larger companies operating globally, poor information about a product and wrong data flow may become an issue later. Including PIM e-commerce in the company will help to improve and support the enterprise's development.

PIM platforms offer proven solutions, but also help to predict future problems. Implementing the PIM tool into the structure will bring many benefits, not only those associated with lowering costs. They include the following:

• Digitization of all company resources in one data warehouse with the ability to segregate and find them quicker;
• Availability of one multifunctional product information management platform that will replace many previously used applications and subsystems;
• Ability to integrate with other systems in the company or import/export resources to another system;
• Quick product launch in many sales channels simultaneously;
• Increased presence and higher sales on global markets;
• Transparent data editor for modifying text and graphic content;
• Top quality product information - fewer returns and abandoned baskets;
• Regularly updated product information database;
• Omnichannel support - all information about products and sales rules are available from one central place;
• Access to many platforms modules and extensions.

Implementing a multi-functional platform such as PIM e-commerce is a process and should be carefully planned. Each stage needs to be scheduled separately to obtain the best results. We should treat such implementations as dedicated applications. It comes from the fact that each company has an original purpose. PIM platforms are flexible,  allowing you to verify which solution is more optimal for you due to a thorough analysis.

The stages of PIM implementation include, as follows:

1. Analysis of client's needs and expectations.
2. Getting to know the company's infrastructure and verifying the possibilities of development or replacement.
3. Predictive analysis on how the modification or new implementation will affect the business.
4. Preparation of functional system design, e.g. action plan, taking into account the client's needs.
5. Preparation of the company's infrastructure in terms of new technology.
6. PIM platform development and implementation.
7. Test phase and further optimization
    

 
And last but not least. Projects that we create receive many awards and distinctions. So clearly, we do it right! If you want to implement one of the mentioned systems, our PIM development company will handle the task. We will select the appropriate solution and ensure everything is running immediately. And while looking for more information about PIM systems, e-commerce of software development, feel free to visit our blog, where experts delve into the mentioned in more detail.