PIM system - organize your product information & data
A PIM system ensures full control over your company's product data, frees up valuable time, and reduces time-to-market, allowing you to focus on driving business growth.
What is PIM?
PIM stands for Product Information Managemen and is a system that enables you to collect, organize, and distribute product data across multiple channels. With a PIM system, your product information is consistent, up-to-date, and easily accessible to your entire organization.
Product data includes everything from technical specifications and prices to images and product descriptions. As your business grows its product range and operates across multiple channels, a centralized platform like a PIM system becomes increasingly essential.
A PIM system integrates with other business systems, acting as a bridge between internal information sources such as ERP and sales, and distribution channels like CRM, webshops, social media, datasheets, and more.
PIM systems aren't exclusive to large enterprises with extensive product portfolios. Small and medium-sized businesses can also benefit from structured processes and time savings offered by a PIM system.
Benefits of PIM
Et PIM-system samler al produktdata ét sted, hvilket eliminerer behovet for flere systemer og reducerer risikoen for fejl. Med en enkelt kilde til sandhed (Single Source of Truth) kan I sikre, at alle afdelinger arbejder med de samme data, hvilket skaber en mere effektiv arbejdsproces.
By consolidating and validating product data, a PIM system ensures accurate, complete, and up-to-date information, reducing manual errors and improving data integrity, which enhances trust with customers and partners.
Accurate, updated product data enhances the customer experience by making it easier for customers to find the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions, boosting satisfaction and loyalty.
A PIM system automates workflows and centralizes data management, reducing time spent on manual tasks. Your team can focus on strategic initiatives rather than administrative work.
Quickly add new products, update information, and distribute data to sales channels with a PIM system, enabling faster and more efficient product launches.
Manage product data in multiple languages and adapt it to local markets with ease. This is especially valuable for businesses with international operations, ensuring a consistent and localized customer experience.
A PIM system grows with your business, whether you're expanding your product range, entering new markets, or increasing sales channels.
PIM systems provide a shared platform for teams to work with product data. Clear workflows and role-based access make cross-departmental collaboration seamless.
By minimizing errors, saving time, and improving efficiency, a PIM system reduces operational costs. It's an investment that pays off through optimized processes and better data quality.
Optimize your workflows & processes
A PIM system is not just about gathering and organizing data – it’s a powerful platform that streamlines your workflows through automation and structured processes. With a PIM system, you can automate repetitive tasks such as updating product data across sales channels, generating datasheets, and ensuring that changes in one source are immediately reflected across all relevant platforms.
The workflows in a PIM system make it possible to define clear processes and role-based tasks, so everyone in the organization knows exactly what to do and when. Whether it's enriching product data, translating texts, or approving information, workflows ensure that tasks are completed quickly and without bottlenecks.
The flexibility of the PIM system means it can be tailored to your needs, whether you're handling a small assortment or thousands of products. Through user-friendly dashboards, you can quickly get an overview of key data, while advanced features such as data synchronization, batch updates, and filtering make it easy to work efficiently, even with large and complex datasets.
Core features of the PIM system
Centralized data
Gather all product information in one place to ensure consistent and updated data.
Channel management
Distribute product data efficiently to webshops, catalogs, social media, and marketplaces.
Data enrichment
Add images, videos, and marketing texts to create a more engaging product experience.
Automation
Reduce manual work by automating updates, translations, and data distribution.
Data import & export
Integrate data from ERP, CMS, and other systems to create a seamless workflow.
Integrate the PIM system with your other systems.
To get the most out of your PIM system, it’s important that it integrates with your other systems. Through integrations, you can create a cohesive digital ecosystem that optimizes workflows, reduces manual labor, and ensures consistency in data across channels.
A PIM system can be integrated with:
- ERP system
- Financial system
- CRM system
- Webshop
- Marketplaces like Amazon
- Google Merchant Center
- Adobe InDesign
- Social media, including Meta/Facebook
- BI platforms
- Newsletter system or marketing automation system
At itpilot, we have extensive experience integrating PIM systems with many different systems. We advise you on which integrations will provide the most value for your business and how you can best leverage your existing infrastructure.
By connecting your PIM system with your other IT systems, you can automate manual workflows, reduce errors, and free up time for tasks that create value and growth. Our experience shows that investments in integrations quickly pay off through greater efficiency, higher data quality, and better customer experiences.
PIMpilot connects your PIM system with your webshop
We’ve developed a software solution that processes and synchronizes data from your PIM system to your webshop. We call it PIMpilot. PIMpilot is a unique cloud-based software application that simplifies and automates the integration between your PIM system and webshop.
Leverage AI in your PIM system
Many PIM systems today have AI features that help you streamline your data management and reduce manual work. With AI in your PIM system, you can automate complex tasks that normally require many resources. This can include suggesting categorizations and relationships between products, generating product descriptions based on existing data, identifying missing or inconsistent information, and automatically validating and enriching data.
Another advantage of AI is its ability to identify patterns and trends in your product data. AI can analyze complex datasets and pinpoint areas for improvement or where new opportunities can be leveraged. For example, it could help discover products that are often sold together or identify potential gaps in the assortment. With these insights, you can not only optimize your internal processes but also strengthen your marketing strategy and enhance the customer experience.
An example of AI in a PIM system is Pimcore Copilot. This advanced solution uses AI to perform tasks such as generating product descriptions, validating data, and building product relationships. Pimcore Copilot can also help optimize workflows by providing suggestions based on data analysis, enabling you to make faster and more informed decisions.
When do you need a PIM system?
A PIM system becomes relevant when your business faces challenges managing, structuring, and distributing product data efficiently. If you find it difficult to keep track of product information across channels or if it requires many resources to manually update data, a PIM system might be the solution you need.
Especially if you have a growing product portfolio with new products, categories, and sales channels being added continuously, a PIM system will be essential to ensure that your data can keep up with growth. The same applies if you operate in multiple markets where the need for translations and localization of product data makes it hard to maintain consistency and quality.
A PIM system can create value across your entire business – from product development and purchasing to marketing and sales. A PIM system provides the entire company with a central platform that reduces the need for manual updates and complex data flows between different systems.
One PIM system for all departments
For product development, a PIM system is a central platform to gather and structure data on product specifications, materials, and technical details. The system makes it easier to track changes, collaborate across teams, and ensure that product data is updated and available when new products are developed. The product development team can quickly share data with other departments, ensuring that product launches are based on accurate and consistent information.
The purchasing department can use the PIM system to keep track of supplier data, prices, quantities, and purchase orders. The system makes it possible to gather information about the supplier’s product catalogs in one place, simplifying the decision-making process and ensuring that all relevant data is easily accessible.
With a PIM system, it also becomes easier to compare suppliers, analyze product costs, and ensure compliance with quality standards.
The marketing department can use the PIM system to access enriched product data ready to be used in campaigns, catalogs, social media, and other marketing materials. Translations, descriptions, and images can be handled centrally, ensuring consistency across channels and markets. This reduces the work involved in gathering and validating data, freeing up time for creative tasks.
The sales team can benefit from a PIM system by always having access to accurate product data and updated prices. It gives them a stronger position in customer meetings and makes it easier to create customized offers and presentations. Data from the PIM system can also be used in digital sales portals, ensuring a consistent customer experience.
The customer service department can use the PIM system to quickly find precise information about products, such as technical specifications, warranty conditions, or user manuals. This enables them to respond to customer inquiries effectively and accurately. Access to updated data enhances customer trust and improves the service experience.
For the IT department, a PIM system means that product data can be managed centrally and integrated seamlessly with other systems like ERP, CMS, and e-commerce platforms. It reduces the need for manual updates and minimizes the risk of errors. IT can also use the system to ensure that data management complies with the company’s security standards and regulatory requirements.
For e-commerce teams, a PIM system is essential to ensure that the webshop always displays accurate and consistent product data. The system makes it easy to update the assortment, add product images, and ensure that descriptions are tailored to different sales channels. The result is an optimized customer experience that increases the conversion rate.
Management can use a PIM system to get an overview of product data and related processes. By gathering data in one place, management can analyze the product portfolio, identify optimization opportunities, and make data-driven decisions. An efficient PIM system supports growth and ensures the company can respond quickly to market changes.
Need help implementing a PIM system?
Choosing and implementing a PIM system can be a complex process. We have many years of experience with PIM solutions and have helped businesses optimize their data management and workflows.
We work with several PIM systems and have particular experience with Pimcore, where we are also a Solution Partner. Pimcore is therefore also our preferred choice, as it offers a flexible and scalable solution that can be tailored to your needs. Additionally, we also have experience with other systems such as Struct and inRiver.
This is how we work with the implementation of your PIM system
When you choose itpilot as your partner for implementing a PIM system, we ensure a structured process so that you get a solution that works and creates value from day one.
1
Needs assessment
We start by mapping your needs, challenges, and goals. Together, we identify the most important features and integrations that your PIM system should support.
2
Data preparation & migration
We help you organize and clean existing data so it’s ready for transfer. This ensures a smooth transition to the new system and reduces errors.
3
Integration with your systems
We make sure the PIM system can work with your ERP, CMS, e-commerce platform, and other critical systems. This ensures that data flows freely and consistently across the organization.
4
Implementation & customization
We tailor the PIM system to match your processes and workflows. We add any customizations or extensions, such as custom dashboards, workflows, automations, etc., that make the solution even more effective for you.
5
Training & support
We ensure your employees are well-equipped to use the system in practice. We also provide ongoing support so you get the most out of your investment.
FAQ: All about PIM systems
A PIM system (Product Information Management system) is a central product database and serves as a software solution that helps your business manage and maintain all aspects of your product data, including descriptions, prices, images, specifications, and more.
With a PIM system, you can manage and maintain all aspects of your product data in one place. The PIM system can also integrate with other systems like CMS, ERP, and CRM. This ensures that all product data is always updated across all systems and channels.
A PIM system contributes to better product data quality, fewer errors, increased efficiency and productivity, shorter time-to-market, better customer profiles, and reduced costs.
With data integration between the PIM system and other systems, data is sent through APIs. In other words, data can be automatically transferred between your different IT systems, ensuring that product data is updated and maintained in real time.
By gathering all product data in one place (in the PIM system), you ensure consistency and accuracy in product information. This allows you to automate your workflows related to updating product data.
Through a PIM system, you can optimize product descriptions, metadata, and keywords to make products easier for search engines to find. Additionally, the PIM system contributes to a better customer experience by ensuring consistency in product information across channels.
When you implement a PIM system in your company, you ensure that all employees work with the same, updated product information. This also helps streamline employees’ workflows.