Which PIM Provider is the Right One for You?

Be it in retail or in the industries, those who want to provide their customers with a contradiction-free and convincing customer experience will find that a Product Information Management system – in short: PIM – is indispensable.

A PIM simplifies and automates all processes revolving around your product data: All product data and information is pooled centrally, refined, and, lastly, distributed to the various target channels such as online shops, online marketplaces, social media, websites, or print outlets.

This offers countless benefits to companies:

• Lightning-fast access to up-to-date product information
• Better time to market
• Collaborative work across all corporate divisions
• Correct and accurate product information
• Lower product return rates
• Enhanced data quality
• Automated and machine-assisted translations
• Resource-friendly and efficient processes

In our digital world, a PIM system is an absolute must-have for companies which want to stay streets ahead of the competition. In the field of e-commerce, the demand for PIM solutions is especially high – and where there is demand, there is also a rich supply of tools and providers. It’s a true jungle of requirements, functions, and pricing models out there. Indeed, it’s rather easy to lose the overview. But no worries! In today’s blog entry, we’ve put five selected providers for PIM systems under the magnifying glass.

 

Akeneo: Intuitive Design in Three Editions

The PIM made by Akeneo is an open-source PIM solution which is especially suited for retailers and manufacturers. With its “Akeneo Product Information Cloud,” the French company offers a compatible Software-as-a-Service solution – in short: SaaS – with an intuitive user interface. The simple interface appeals to users, in particular, who aren’t much of a technophile. Over the years, Akeneo has advanced to the position of an internationally well-positioned company offering its software in three different editions: the free “Community Edition” with considerable limitations when it comes to the scope of functions, the “Growth Edition” best suited for small businesses, as well as an extensive “Enterprise Edition” for which the fees involved are determined on an individual basis.

One highlight of Akeneo is its focus entirely on Product Information Management instead of splitting it into numerous half-finished e-commerce solutions. The open-source PIM, however, also comes with a decisive drawback. The range of functions of the free “Community Edition” is reasonable – yet, all the exciting PIM features are only included in the costly “Enterprise Edition.” Additionally, users of the open-source PIM variant are, to a large extent, left to their own devices – without expert PIM consultation or support service.

 

Contentserv: All-in-one Cloud Solution with Focus on Product Experience

With the so-called “Product Experience Cloud,” the provider Contentserv offers its users a scalable, flexible, and user-friendly PIM solution, including Master Data Management and Digital Asset Management functions. Contentserv is a global player with a wide partner network and counts more than 300 companies across 89 countries as its customers. The “Product Experience Cloud” features besides its central data management a variety of adjustment options, a data quality function which guarantees high-quality data throughout the entire product life cycle, as well as collaboration services for data onboarding and services for exporting data. In short: Contentserv has a great set of useful functions and options to offer for strategically improving your customer’s product experience on an emotional level.

It’s precisely this great selection of features, however, which invites critique by some users: since it affects the user’s ability to always keep an overview of the many modules, resulting in a higher degree of complexity. This makes it a bit more difficult for Contentserv users to immediately find the right functions for the given use case. Furthermore, the software does not always fully match requirements of state-of-the-art technologies.

 

Pimcore: Open-Source PIM Solution for E-Commerce

The provider Pimcore offers open-source software ideal for e-commerce. It’s up to the users whether to work with the Pimcore PIM system on its own or in combination with Master Data Management (MDM), Digital Asset Management (DAM), Web Content Management (WCM), and/or Customer Experience Management (CXM). As a multi-channel-publishing suite, Pimcore enables you to manage and export product data and information in the form of documents, videos, text content, or images – in a simple manner with drag-and-drop.

The positive side is, once more, that the open-source version is completely free. And once again, however, the same argument as before also applies to this provider: for those who want to use the full scope of functions of the enterprise version including support based on the respective company’s individual requirements, they have to dig deeper into their pockets. This is why the open-source version of Pimcore is most suitable for companies which can allocate sufficient resources to a tech-savvy team with a lot of know-how for facilitating both implementation and operation of the software.

 

Plytix: The Easily Affordable PIM

The PIM provider Plytix introduces its PIM system as a simple solution from content people to content people, so that no IT expertise is required. Given its fair pricing model, Plytix is a good choice for SME companies in particular. The Plytix PIM is available in three different versions: the free version is suitable for small businesses which want to kiss chaotic Excel datasheets goodbye, whereas the standard version provides companies with the basis for their own Product Information Management. The pro version, in turn, is geared towards multi-channel publishing, equipping growing companies with all necessary PIM functions.

With the system made by Plytix, you receive a simple yet still comprehensive range of functions for creating and managing product catalogs, multi-channel sales, and central data management. Since Plytix is still a young player on the PIM market, however, some functions still need some finishing touches. For this reason, it may not be the optimal choice for large enterprises with complex product assortments.

 

ATAMYA Product Cloud: High-performance PIM Solution According to Your Wishes

“If there is a problem, then there is a solution!” – this is our credo when it comes to our customers’ requirements for our PIM system. Thanks to our flexible, AI-assisted data models, our system can map any kind of product portfolio. Accordingly, ATAMYA Product Cloud is ideal for both retailers as well as manufacturers from all sorts of sectors – be it e-commerce, travel and tourism, or the industries. In short: Our system adjusts to your requirements, not the other way around. All in all, you profit from a highly performative, cloud-native PIM solution with maximum flexibility.

ATAMYA Product Cloud unifies PIM, DAM, and AI-based processes in one solution, offering you among other features:

• API-First Architecture for smooth system integrations
• Multi-domain capacity so that you can manage various data worlds on a single platform
• Automated workflows for optimizing your business processes and teamwork
• Intelligent Data Quality Management for better data quality with minimal effort
• AI technologies to minimize your manual labor and boosting productivity
• Planned and developed as a native Cloud solution for maximum flexibility and scalability.

ATAMYA Product Cloud is distributed and provided based on the SaaS model – including all benefits that come with a modern, highly scalable Cloud platform. Our prices are individualized to match your requirements. Learn more in our overview of editions.

 

The Agony of PIM Choice

You know how the saying goes: with great choice comes great responsibility – the agony of choice. The selection process for the right PIM system is far from easy – too many options to choose from, too many promising alternatives. In this article, we have presented to you a small selection of PIM systems from various providers made to master different challenges. The market, however, is much bigger. If you want to gain a comprehensive insight, how about visiting well-established, English-language PIM comparison portals such as OMR Reviews, Capterra, or GetApp.

The Multi-Domain Data Model as a Gamechanger

In a world where up-to-date, complete, and consistent product information decides about success or failure when it comes to convincing customers and staying afloat in the face of ever-growing competition, a Product Information Management (PIM) system occupies the main role: It centralizes and structures product data so that it can be distributed to all sorts of channels. Not every PIM system, however, delivers the same performance – in particular when it comes to structuring the data. A real gamechanger in the world of product data is the so-called multi-domain data model. Now, what does this concept mean and what differentiates it and sets it apart from conventional, static data models?

 

Why Static Data Models Hit the Wall

Simple, static data models used to be the go-to standard for companies utilizing a PIM system in the past. More often then not, they are based on strictly defined attributes such as product names, descriptions, prices, or sizes. This usually one-dimensional concept is made to fit a specific set of data. This, in turn, means that every product has the same attributes and everything follows the same rigid definitions.

This works smoothly, as long as you have a clear overview of your product data and the requirements for your data structure are moderate. Wherever a company works with simple product information, such a model is sufficient. As soon as the products are more complex or serve different categories and use cases, however, static models are quick to hit a wall. The requirements concerning flexibility and adjustability grow – and here is where multi-domain comes into play.

 

What does a Multi-Domain Data Model Offer?

A multi-domain data model follows a dynamic method which can be adjusted to a diverse range of data types and requirements. Instead of focusing on a single, set-in-stone structure, it allows for a flexible organization of product information across multiple “domains”.

A domain within a multi-domain model can, for example, be centered around specific product attributes such as technical specifications while others focus on information for customer analysis or supply chains. Each domain can be organized separately and adjusted on demand. This way, companies can manage different kinds of information side-by-side and put it to use in a strategic manner depending on target group or channel. Therefore, a multi-domain data model enables the parallel management of different worlds of data using an all-in-one approach.

 

Multi-Domain Data Model vs. Static Model

The multi-domain data model sets new standards in product data management and offers clear benefits compared to static models:

• Flexibility and Scalability: The multi-domain model adjusts to changes and growing requirements in a flexible manner. New product attributes or kinds of data can be quickly integrated without the need to restructure the entire system.
• Optimized Personalization: Various target groups – be it, for example, end customers, B2B customers, or technical consultants – require different information. With the multi-domain model, target-group-specific structures can be designed and realized.
• Efficient Data Management: Since information is now organized thematically, it is easier to update and enrich data strategically. Marketing teams can access specific domains in a targeted manner without being distracted by irrelevant information. This saves time and increases productivity.
• Improved Consistency and Data Quality: Through clear structuring, the risk of duplicates or contradictory information is avoided. Information is always well-structured and more consistent.
• Better Overview and More Control: Teams can define individual responsibilities and workflows since the model is organized in different domains. This, in turn, translates into better control over data and efficient working processes.

 

The Multi-Domain Data Model as they Key to the Future of Product Data Management

The multi-domain data model provides enormous benefits for marketing since it is heavily reliant on up-to-date and precise product information. It allows you to structure product data in a more targeted manner and process it for different channels and target groups, in turn boosting customer success. Where static models are quick to hit the wall when it comes to both flexibility and data diversity, multi-domain models offer a dynamic and sustainable solution for modern product data management.

Companies who trust in multi-domain data models for PIM systems can meet the ever-increasing requirements of product data and are quick to respond to changes. This does not only render product information complete and consistent but – before anything else – flexible.

Why is Variant Management of Importance?

The ever-increasing diversity of product variants poses a two-pronged challenge to companies. On the one hand, companies can fulfill the customer’s wish with customized products, while, on the other hand, the resulting diversity of products comes with difficulties for production. A continuously growing variety of variants is becoming more and more of a competitive advantage because it allows you to satisfy the customer’s demand for individualized products. However, this also increases complexity and costs in production in turn. Batch-sized production doesn’t allow for reducing costs because you suffer from so-called scale effects as a consequence. In order to get a firm grip on the complexity of variant management and all processes involved, companies should make use of two things: a methodological approach when selecting the variants you want to produce as well as suitable technologies that can support you in doing so.

 

What is Variant Management?

In order to define what variant management means we should, before anything else, clarify what a variant even is.

Variants (as in product variants) are specific articles which differentiate your general product on the basis of defined properties. Let’s illustrate this with the help of an example:

• The product is a t-shirt which is available in four colors and three varying sizes.
• In this case, the product variants are the individual combinations, e.g. a blue t-shirt of the size M. In total, the product has twelve such variants.

Variant management, accordingly, is all about the efficient selection, creation, maintenance, and handling of variants. It is integral to the fields of production, marketing, and sales.

 

How does Variant Management Work?

Concerning effective variant management, the first question is: Which products do even need variants to begin with? The answer may depend on the demand voiced by you customers and the actual implementation. For example, is it economically profitable to respond to individual customer wishes? Once these questions are out of the way, you can start with putting theory into practice and realize processes for variant management.

For the efficient management of product variants, consequently, it’s decisive to determine how complex the products which need to be managed are. To this end, you can divide variants into three different groups:

First Group (e.g., t-shirts): There are only a few variants for the product and they are made up of only a few properties without a particularly complex set of rules. In the case of t-shirts, for example, this simple rule set may define that there are three sizes, each of which can be combined with one of four colors.

Variant Management: The variants can be easily created and maintained in a PIM system. Since a simple rule set is in place which defines the exact number of variants, it would be comfortable if you would only have to define the rule set itself in the system rather than set up every single variant individually.

Second Group: While there may only be few properties out of which the variants are formed, each comes with a large range of values — resulting in a corresponding number of variants per product (circa > 100). Examples for this second group are customized products such as, say, planks from the building supplies store, given that they’re manufactured to match every required length and width. If an oak wood plank with a length ranging between one to five meters can be cut to shape centimeter by centimeter, then you’re looking at a total of 401 variants. Consequently, if the plank has a width ranging from one to two meters which can be potentially cut to shape at every ten centimeters, there would be a total of 4.411 variants.

Variant Management: In this case, we have a lot of variants. Here, it’s imperative not to create every single variant in the system but rather only the simple rule work which underlies all variants. This rule work can then be provided, for example, to your web shop. Customers then choose from the pre-defined properties and enter required values — in response to which they receive their relevant variant. The system dynamically generates an article with an article number and forwards the purchase to the Enterprise Resource Planning system. If the article numbers are continuous, the article can be clearly identified across all systems.

Third Group: There are variants for a product, but these variants are created on the basis of a complex set of rules. That is to say, contrary to the first group, you can’t simply form variants out of permutations (i.e., all possible combinations of defining properties). For example: blue pants might not be available in the size L, while red pants are available neither in the size S nor M, etc. Such rule sets can contain a lot of complexity, as you know it from the automotive industry. More often than not, a lot of product variants are required here.

 

Variant Management: The creation of variants of the third group is most efficiently realized in the form of a special product configurator. Such configurations can be self-developed or you can rely on a standard software. The configurator is based on a complex rule set. This requires a lot of effort and an in-depth understanding of the product. Usually, the configurator also comes with visual or 3D support. On the customer’s end, the configurator — which may be operated either by the customers themselves or trained sales personnel — is used to configure the variant. It is often times the case that the configurator directly creates an article number for the specific configuration which is later referenced by the ERP system.

 

How can a PIM System Support You in Your Efficient Variant Management?

Besides efficient and comfortable product and article data management, a PIM system can help you in making sure that the variant management for the first and second group discussed above won’t cost too much effort. In the case of both groups, as already mentioned, it’s usually not required to manage every single variant but only the set of rules for creating variants. So, whenever a third-party system connected to the PIM via an interface in real time such as, for example, a shop system or an ERP system requires the information of some variants of the first group, the interface simply applies this set of rules and transfers all data. To this end, it’s best practice to automatically generate a suitable and unique article number. Make sure that all selection fields which serve the purpose of individualizing the general product into the specific variant are clearly defined.

Following the previous example for the management revolving around such a rule set for the first group: When creating the product in your PIM system, you set up the selection fields for possible colors and possible sizes.

In the case of variants of the third group, you can at the very least transfer the text-based product data and images from your PIM to the product configurator used by the customer.

This is How Your PIM Implementation will Turn Out as a Success Story

The implementation of Product Information Management software (in short PIM) is a crucial step towards preparing yourself for the competition of today’s digital world. Thanks to the digitization of your product data and information, your company can run the interfaces linked to shops and channels in real time and in a fully automated way. Only through this transformation will companies be able to fully exhaust the potential of digitization on a global scale and provide customers with product content in an efficient and target-group-oriented manner.

The PIM functions as your central datahub for all product data processes. Throughout, all data and information will be imported and unified from input channels such as an ERP system, will then be managed and edited within the PIM system itself, and, finally, distributed to relevant target channels ranging from online shops and apps to B2B marketplaces.

The challenge of a PIM implementation: simply installing a PIM system won’t be sufficient. Switching to an intelligent software solution requires more: it takes a PIM project with the goal to design new processes, develop new concepts, and implementing it all. The objective is that upon project completion, all systems in the company’s IT system landscape can efficiently and effectively collaborate with one another when it comes to product data. To this end, support can be requested from a wide range of service partners. They offer you to carry out the complete implementation as part of a so-called “full-service” project. However, do you really require this? Can’t your team accomplish this on its own?

Yes, your team can! Which implementation model fits best depends entirely on your individual requirements and your team’s skills. Equipped with the right concept and a good project plan, you’ll be able to quickly realize your project in a cost-efficient manner. We tell you what you absolutely need to look out for when choosing between full-service, do-it-yourself project, or a hybrid between the two.

 

PIM Implementation: Full-Service Project or Do-It-Yourself – The Defining Differences

As part of a full-service project, a third party is tasked to take care of the implementation for the company. In this case, your partner carries out the complete integration as well as the switch to the new system in your place. Such partners can be the software developer of the PIM system itself or a service partner who specializes in carrying out software implementation projects.

The advantages are clear as day: You save internal resources – which are, as is generally known, always hard to come by – and you directly collaborate with the experts for the system. With years’ worth of experience to back them up, partners know all the wrinkles of a successful PIM implementation and will make sure to make good use of this great foresight in the planning of the software environment. Naturally, the provider will demand an adequate fee for such service, which is why full-service counts as the most expensive model.

The most decisive difference, however: You let go of the steering wheel! In case of doubt, the third party which takes over may only have a surface-level understanding of your product portfolio and related processes. This is why the missing project control options of a full-service project pose various challenges and involves corresponding risks. If new processes and workflows are dictated by an outsider, it may be the case that they’ll find less acceptance and willingness to adjust accordingly by employees. If the new processes are conceptualized directly by your team, they’ll be quick to realize the added value and will look forward to the new software environment which can, thus, guarantee an improved work life. Lastly, the know-how for adjustments and modifications will fall outside of your own field of competence, hereby suffering from a one-sided dependency on your implementation partner – even after the completion of the project.

Full-Service Projects: Advantages and Disadvantages

+ Saving internal resources
+ Service partners are experts for the technological potential of systems
+ Service partners have project experience and know all best practices
– Full-service is costly
– Service partners don’t know your organizational structures
– Less project control tools
– Dependency on service partners for adjustments
– Loss of know-how after project completion

 

Do-It-Yourself Implementation Projects

When it comes to the independent PIM implementation, it’s you who is taking control. Your unique advantage: The various corporate departments can each contribute to the implementation of the PIM system with their expert knowledge. First and foremost, this concerns the Product Management with its expertise in the requirements of technical data – ranging from the company’s print catalog to e-commerce platforms and partners. The marketing, in turn, knows exactly how products are presented in the best possible light in your online shop with the help of just the right texts and digital media assets. Another central spot in the project team is occupied by your IT. With their knowledge of the current software environment, they can set the foundation for all future interfaces connected to the PIM system. Last but not least, the position for the person in response and your taskforce must also be filled to complete the team.

What may always pose as a problem in self-guided projects: When it comes to the integration of new software solutions, there’re far-reaching decisions to be made, especially in the beginning. And this is where the big disadvantage of do-it-yourself projects comes into play: Many uncertainties and mistakes can trick their way into the very foundations of the project. This eats away valuable time and resources, while also weakening team morale. What you’re lacking now is an expert for the strategy and implementation of your system with a tailor-made roadmap to boot. In short, the best solution for a successful PIM implementation borrows a bit from both methods: expert knowledge of service partners combined with the already well-established expertise of your company’s specialists.

Do-It-Yourself Projects: Advantages and Disadvantages

+ Draw from valuable in-house knowledge about the product portfolio
+ You’ll become the expert of your own system
+ Plan and live your own processes
+ Know-how stays within the company
+ High acceptance rate when switching to the new software
– No best-practice experience
– Uncertainties when it comes to decision making
– Unknown or untapped potentials of the new system

 

The Best of Both Worlds: The Hybrid Model

As part of the hybrid solution, your project team collaborates closely with the implementation team. Thanks to the active participation of your teams, you create lived processes and satisfied team members. Experience shows: The hybrid solution proves to be particularly crisis-proof since it guarantees both a high acceptance rate and continuous progress.

Throughout, a hybrid project model offers you countless benefits based on close collaboration, tailor-made solutions, a methodological approach, and continuous success. Through the combination of expert know-how and experience, the project participants come to form tight-knit teamwork that enables you to tackle specific requirements and challenges in a targeted manner. This teamwork, in turn, contributes to optimally fine-tuning the solution to match your company’s individual needs.

A well-structured phase plan makes sure that all project participants have an overview of the progress and the next steps at all times. This facilitates the planning and enables your team to stay motivated through small but continuous successes. Additionally, you can optimize knowledge transfer with targeted software training. When trainings are directly connected with the respective relevant phase of the project so that your team always receives the required knowledge at just the right time, you can master the implementation in a masterful manner.

The support provided by both implementation partners and consulting teams makes sure that demanding questions or technical challenges always find their way to the right expert. This comprehensive support makes it possible to progress effectively with the project and gain corresponding momentum. All in all, the hybrid project model leads – thanks to its flexible and adaptive structure – to a high degree of efficiency as well as sustainable results that will be reflect itself in your company’s success story even in the long term.

And the best of all: The entire know-how and all important information stay within your company. This way, you and your team will quickly advance to experts who can adjust their PIM system even after the end of the project in a flexible manner. Decide for ATAMYA as your integration partner – and we will, of course, be at your service even after the successful project completion! We from ATAMYA understand ourselves as long-term partners and accompany you on your path to digital transformation as it suits your needs, so that you can draw from the full potential of your product data.

What Benefits does the Combination of PIM and AI have to offer?

Welcome to Industry 4.0: The fast-paced development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already shaped many sectors, and Product Information Management (PIM) is no exception. AI offers a myriad of applications which can drastically improve your data maintenance, inventory management, personalization, information about customers and target groups, as well as image recognition in PIM. Additionally, the combination of PIM and AI provides your company with groundbreaking functionality – from data organization and analysis to the translation of product data into expressive and personalized information which can be put into action across all channels. This opens entirely new perspectives for a data-driven product management. In this blogpost, we have a look at the various use case possibilities of AI and PIM, identifying the areas in which the use of Artificial Intelligence is most profitable. Have a good read!

Content Creation with AI: Individualized Content at the Click of a Button

One big advantage of AI is automated content creation. Today’s AI tools are able to generate unique content. For example, Midjourney can even create new, impressive images based on text requests alone. ChatGPT by OpenAI allows you to create diverse texts or well-structured articles in a matter of seconds. With solutions for content generation such as Retresco, users can transform data from their PIM system into high-quality texts. This saves both time and resources, while also accelerating the process of updating product information.

Accordingly, automated AI-based content generation is an effective tool for optimizing your Product Data Management, saving valuable resources, and, at the same time, establishing a smooth communication with customers that is in keeping with the times. This approach lets companies focus on more creative and strategic aspects of their business, while the high-quality content for efficiently addressing the relevant target group is already taken care of.

 

Efficient Translation Management: Conquer International Markets with AI and PIM

In Translation Management, too, AI can provide valuable support. AI-based translation tools such as DeepL, for example, can translate product texts into various languages in an automated manner. By putting these tools into good use in connection with PIM, companies can optimize their translation processes and manage translations more efficiently. AI enables the automated translation of product information into a wide range of languages. For your company, this means a significant saving in time and resources. Additionally, the PIM system can guarantee consistency and correctness when it comes to distributing this translated content to all sales channels and markets. With the combination of AI and PIM, companies can improve translation quality, shorten their time to market, and secure smooth communication with international customers. This allows you to be globally present and successfully market both your products and services in different countries.

 

Feedback Data and AI: Get to Know Your Customers More Intimately

AI can also help you in getting to know your customer better. The analysis of customer data enables companies to recognize patterns and trends which can then be integrated into the product and marketing strategy. This way, you can respond better to your customer’s needs. If you transfer the feedback data by customers into your PIM and structure it accordingly, an AI tool can process it and operate with it in real time. This is what you can use to draw well-informed inferences about the purchasing habits, preferences, and behavior of your customers. On the basis of this knowledge, you can design your product and marketing strategy in a more goal-oriented manner. What’s more is that companies can objectively evaluate the efficiency of their product offer and their marketing measures. This, in turn, allows you to swiftly make adjustments and optimizations to the strategy for higher customer satisfaction and customer retention. With personalized offers for related products, tailored advertisement campaigns and targeted recommendations, companies can strategically position their products – which translates into more sales and, ultimately, more profit.

 

Personalization: Inspire Customers with Artificial Intelligence and Product Information Management

Personalization is a key factor for success in today’s competitive markets. The combination of Artificial Intelligence and Product Information Management (PIM) is particularly useful when it comes to this topic. When customers are offered products and services which best correspond to their needs, they have the feeling of being understood and that they are met on their own grounds. This does not only increase customer satisfaction but also leads to higher conversion rates coupled with lower product returns.

A high-performance PIM system enables the target-group-oriented and channel-specific distribution of content in order to achieve a higher degree of efficiency and relevance. In short: The dream of personalized customer communication with the right content at the right time with the right person – and that in a fully automated manner – becomes reality. Tools such as Retresco even make it possible to reformulate general product texts for individual target groups – automated and in direct connection with PIM.

With the use of a Recommendation Engine, you can also handle targeted recommendations for products. A product recommendation which matches the customer’s individual needs improves the purchasing process drastically and optimizes the Customer Experience. The continuous analysis of customer behavior does also make it possible to better recognize the customer’s wants and to optimize the assortment accordingly. Companies which bank on personalized recommendations are successful in setting themselves apart from the competition and can expand their customer base progressively. At the end of the day, all this manifests itself in an improved conversion rate and maximized customer retention.

 

The Power of Images: Automated Image Recognition and Keyword Tagging

A very promising field of application for AI in Product Information Management is the automated image recognition and keyword tagging of products. An AI algorithm can analyze images and identify the products depicted on them by various attributes such as type, color, brand, size, characteristic features, and material.

AI can deliver precise results with targeted training (Deep Learning). On the basis of an extensive collection of product images from a PIM system with informative meta-data (Big Data), an AI can, for example, learn how to classify products on its own. Accordingly, the AI system may recognize a piece of clothing or a machine even if it is depicted in an odd angle on the image, remains partially concealed, or if it is taken under unfavorable lighting conditions. The integration of AI-based image recognition in the field of PIM opens up a new dimension for the automation and optimization of product management processes, so that companies can profit from an efficient data handling and a precise categorization of data.

 

Powered by AI: Next-Level Product Data Management

In the age of Industry 4.0, where technologies like Artificial Intelligence play an ever-increasing role, fascinating perspectives emerge for data-driven product management.

The intelligent use of AI in the PIM field unlocks a wide range of possibilities. This starts with automated content creation that does not only save time and resources but also delivers high-quality information. And it continues with precise translations of product texts into various languages in order to tap into international markets – here, AI has proven itself to be a top-performing partner. Furthermore, AI enables a deeper understanding of customer needs through the analysis of feedback data and holds the key to a great many possibilities concerning personalized customer communication, resulting in a higher satisfaction rate and brand loyalty.

All in all, Artificial Intelligence provides enormous options for optimizing – if not revolutionizing – Product Information Management. By supplying top-quality product data that is always up to date, companies can exhaust the full potential of the AI revolution in PIM with all its benefits, while also establishing their competitive prowess in a continuously more data-driven business world. With the right tools and a solid data basis, companies can increase their efficiency, provide personalized purchasing experiences, and make well-informed decisions. The future of data-driven product management will be shaped by AI, and those who seize the opportunity will stay streets ahead in the competition.

Expert Interview with Markus Pichler and Achim Beckmann

Digitization has changed the way companies present and sell their products and services. Nowadays, customers expect personalized and quick solutions which match their needs and preferences. To keep up with this development, companies must optimize their sales processes and manage their product information efficiently. To this end, two software solutions play an important role: CPQ and PIM. CPQ stands for Configure, Price, Quote and makes it possible to automatically generate individualized offers and offer variants. PIM stands for Product Information Management featuring centralized management and automated distribution of product data and product content across all channels and markets.

In this interview, we’ve asked two experts from this field: Markus Pichler, CEO of ATAMYA, and Achim Beckmann, Managing Director at In Mind Cloud, the renowned software provider for digital sales platforms and CPQ which specializes in the complex requirements of sales. The two experts tell us what challenges companies active in digital sales encounter and how the combination of PIM and CPQ can help in mastering them.

 

Let’s Start with the Fundamentals: What is CPQ?

Achim Beckmann:
CPQ is the abbreviation for Configure, Price, Quote. These are the three steps a sales employee has to go through in order to sell an individual product to a customer. First, the product is to be configured, i.e. adjusted to the customer’s wishes. Then, the price is to be calculated according to a myriad of factors. Lastly, an offer is to be created and approved which satisfies professional standards and is free of error. This whole process can be automated with CPQ. CPQ is more than a product configurator. It’s an end-to-end process that lets your sales team operate more efficiently and flexibly. With CPQ, customized products can be offered and prepared in a much faster manner.

 

For which Sectors is CPQ particularly interesting?

Achim Beckmann:
In Mind Cloud focuses on the manufacturing industry which offers individualized products with a high degree of standardization. This is because individualized products are in highest demand here. Customers require tailor-made machine configurations most of the time – lot size 1. Manufacturers are to put together such “unique items” out of standardized components. In this context, CPQ can support two crucial processes relevant to the manufacturing industry:

CTO – Configure to Order: This is about pre-defined data models. To illustrate what this is about, let’s take an automobile configurator as an example. Even though cars are complex products, anybody can configure and order one today without the need to test-drive it. To this end, rules are defined such as the M package which opts for sport seats instead of comfort seats. Finally, the price is calculated.

ETO – Engineer to Order: This, in contrast, is about individual product requests. Let’s say a manufacturer for medical technology needs a plastic housing for their product. Accordingly, they will refer to an expert for plastic injection molding. The expert receives a CAD drawing and technical details on material, durability, etc. Then, the expert carries out a price calculation, usually on the basis of cost rates. Usually, the pricing is based on Cost+.

In order to reconcile standardization with individualization, CTO and ETO must be combined.

 

Where is the Market Heading and what Trends are Emerging?

Achim Beckmann:
The market is developing in several directions. Based on our professional experience, however, we can identify four trends: specialization, consolidation, switching to the Cloud, as well as the integration of CPQ with CRM, E-Commerce, and ERP systems.

 

Can You Tell Us More About Current Trends on the Markets?

Achim Beckmann:
There are four big trends we are observing. The first is specialization. Some CPQ providers focus on specific aspects of the CPQ process, such as the Product Life Cycle. We from In Mind Cloud, however, defend the standpoint that a continuous end-to-end process is decisive, in particular for medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing industry.

The second trend is consolidation. We are observing how known CPQ providers are taken over by larger corporations. This is an indicator that demand for CPQ solutions is on the rise and that providers must prepare themselves to include more process depth.

Cloud is the third trend on the market. Based on our experience, more and more companies are asking for cloud solutions even in the CPQ field. We from In Mind Cloud made our early beginnings directly with the Cloud and, so, we have a lot of experience and a knowledge edge. Over the last months, we have rebuilt our platform with a hyperscale architecture in order to provide our customers with more flexibility and performance. Additionally, we have expanded our platform with a CRM and many commerce functions. As we have noticed, it is not only the case that our customers’ sales employees are required to make configurations but also that, even in the context of customer experience, it is imperative to build as many channels to end customers as possible. To this end, our standard product can now process both simple and complex configurations, requests of configured products for interested parties, customers, and partners, as well as spare parts orders through our platform.

The fourth trend is the integration of CPQ with other systems such as CRM, E-Commerce, and ERP. We have expanded our platform by CRM and commerce functions which are continuous with existing systems such as SAP, Salesforce, and Microsoft. We call this a digital sales platform: A central platform for E-Commerce, CPQ, and CRM with SAP and ERP integration.

 

What Challenges do Companies Face that CPQ can Solve?

Achim Beckmann:
In the manufacturing industry, we commonly take notice of the following challenges: First, sales of complex products require in-depth expert knowledge. Second, the offer process is usually time-consuming and costly – in particular, failure costs are a prominent topic. Third, the interaction between interested parties, sales, and construction can be bumpy. Fourth, Guided Selling plays a crucial role – the optimal selection of machines and equipment and their scaling is decisive. Fifth, the creation of consistent, high-quality documents poses a challenge. Sixth and lastly, even in the aftersales field do companies face expensive processes such as identifying spare parts.

 

Achim Beckmann:
In many companies, Excel is still used in the sales process. Even though CRM systems have already been implemented, the offer process for complex machines has received little to no digitization. This is where specialists with in-depth know-how are demanded. To do so, however, you will have to find one first. With a CPQ solution, even sales employees with less experience are quick to create correct and high-quality offers.

Furthermore, many manufacturing companies face high failure costs. What this means is that inconsistent configurations are offered since there is no central database for compatibility relationships. With a CPQ, you can only offer and, consequently, produce what matches the rule set. Also, no offer can be forwarded to customers that did not pass the approval workflow beforehand.

Based on our experience, there are also still difficulties concerning the “go-to-market” of a new product. Little is known by the sales team about product novelties so that they are offered only with heavy hesitation. Here, too, a CPQ can assist with Guided Selling and its rule set as a basis.

 

What are the Preconditions for Utilizing CPQ Efficiently?

Achim Beckmann:
In our end-to-end processes, we come across product data at various spots. In order for the process to function smoothly, the product data must also be consistent, free of error, and well-managed. Let me illustrate this by using two examples:

First, we have a B2B self-service portal with spare parts identification. Customers for machine components can use 2D and 3D models to identify spare parts more easily. This customer group requires precise information to avoid machine downtime. It is here where we draw from well-structured data from a PIM system.

With the help of our Guided Selling approach, our solution provides sales employees with a walkthrough for a large number of variants in order to support them in the pre-configuration and selection of optimal offer components. In this process, texts, images, and other product data from the PIM is put to use.

One further central element is the offer generation. Our CPQ solution creates offers, configures products, calculates prices, and generates offer documents. These documents must be informative and appealing. Other than sales and configuration data, we also bank on product data such as images and marketing texts which are managed in the PIM system. PIM systems are also suitable for print exports, and we are currently in the process of implementing this function.

 

Markus Pichler, you are Managing Director of ATAMYA. Your company already has plenty of experience in the PIM field in relation to cloud solutions. You are probably the best candidate for explaining the following:

 

Why does it Make Sense to Combine PIM and CPQ?

Markus Pichler:
The combination of PIM (Product Information Management) and CPQ makes sense for companies for multiple reasons. Naturally, product data plays a central role in it. While a CPQ tool primarily aims at the optimization of offers and offer creation, PIM concentrates on the consolidation and the management of product data. This combination provides immense benefits for companies.

Firstly, the combination of PIM and CPQ enables a smooth connection between product information and configuration possibilities. This means that sales employees have access to up-to-date and precise product data during the offer creation. Secondly, the combination of PIM and CPQ leads to a consistent presentation of products in offers, hereby establishing both professionality and the customer’s trust. Thirdly, this combination facilitates the managing and updating of product data since all changes are made in the central datahub and flow, from there, into all relevant processes. Fourth and lastly, it contributes to reducing errors and time loss because the entire process from configuration to offer creation is rendered more efficient. All in all, the combination of PIM and CPQ grants companies the possibility to optimize their sales processes and offer customers a better purchasing experience.

 

How do Both Systems Work Together?

Markus Pichler:
CPQ and PIM work hand in hand to optimize sales processes. You can think of it like this: The PIM functions as the central data source for all product information such as details, images, videos, and much more. When a configuration is made in the CPQ system, we directly access this information from the PIM. The PIM makes sure that only the most up-to-date and precise data is used everywhere.

The next step concerns the price. In particular when it comes to the B2C field, the CPQ system makes use of the data from the PIM to automatically calculate prices for individual products. This includes, for example, the base price but also the specific configuration fees or special discounts.

In the offer phase, the CPQ system automatically creates offer documents with all configurations and prices. And it is here where PIM helps enriching these documents with further product information – for a clear and convincing offer. The beautiful thing is: Every updated unit of product information in PIM is automatically transferred over to the CPQ system. This way, all offers are correct and stay up to date.

 

How can the PIM and CPQ System be Smoothly Integrated to Maximize the Company’s Benefits?

Markus Pichler:
This can be accomplished by means of interfaces which make it possible for systems to exchange information in real time. Or one opts for a platform that integrates or supports both systems.

A further step is the synchronization of data. The PIM system ought to function as the single source of truth for product information and this data should be transferred over to the CPQ system at regular intervals in an automated manner. This way, you can make sure that up-to-date and consistent product information is always available for configurations and offers.

The integration does also enable the use of rules and validations in the CPQ system on the basis of the PIM data. This acts as the guarantor that recommended configurations are technologically feasible, in correspondence with product standards.

 

What Challenges May Arise in the Process and How can they be Overcome?

Markus Pichler:
The integration of a new system also means, of course, that there will be changes in existing workflows. Here, it is imperative that you prepare your employees and provide software training so that they can make effective use of the new processes. Furthermore, companies should also take into consideration to where the journey is supposed to lead them. While the integration may, initially, be intended for a specific product or a specific market, the company may grow and transform in the meantime. This is why the integration should be set up in a way that it is scalable and can keep up with the company’s ever-evolving requirements. Not least because of their scalability, cloud solutions continue to enjoy increasing popularity.

Overall, the integration of PIM and CPQ requires careful planning, clear communication, and the willingness to tackle challenges head on. With the right approach as well as a comprehensive support and service package set up by the software provider, however, these challenges can be successfully mastered so that you can make full use of the benefits involved.

 

What Further Developments can We Expect from PIM and CPQ Solutions in the Upcoming Years?

Markus Pichler:
The fields of PIM and CPQ are constantly evolving. I am firmly convinced that Artificial Intelligence and machine learning will play an even more crucial role for PIM and CPQ solutions in the future. These technologies can help provide better product recommendations, optimize the configuration process, and improve accuracy in data management.

In order to stay ahead in the face of fierce competition, companies will put increasing emphasis on working out how to design personalized and tailor-made customer experiences. PIM and CPQ solutions can contribute to this process of creating individualized offers and configurations which match the specific needs and preferences of different target groups.

However, expanded analysis possibilities will also play a key role in the future. Be it customer feedback data or data from PIM and CPQ systems. Future developments will provide more elaborate analysis tools and dashboards which will then allow companies to gain valuable insights into their own target group or establish efficiency in sales processes and product management.

With Product Information Management Toward Maximum Efficiency and Smooth Processes

In today’s economic world, companies find themselves confronted with an unprecedented flow of information. Digital transformation results in a large variety of new channels and touchpoints, all requiring content in specific formats. Additionally, customers have grown to become much more demanding and are more well-informed than ever, which is why they are expecting personalized product information as well as consistent, up-to-date, and correct product data at all times. For this reason, it’s of utmost importance for companies to efficiently manage and optimize their product data. Naturally, where there is a problem there is also a solution: Product Information Management is the magic word.

In this blog entry, we will look at this concept more closely, shed light on its significance for companies, and demonstrate how Product Information Management will support you in staying streets ahead in a highly competitive environment.

 

The Role of PIM Systems in Product Information Management

To master all these tasks, so-called PIM systems are developed. They enable companies to efficiently manage information and distribute it to a myriad of sales channels such as online shops, marketplaces, catalogs, mobile apps, and other digital media. With the use of PIM software, you can make sure that your product information is consistent, up to date, and correct – which, in turn, results in improved customer satisfaction, higher sales numbers, and more profits.

Furthermore, PIM systems make the personalization of your product information for various target groups possible and allow you to adjust them to the different regional markets in order to optimize customer experience. Among other benefits, you can also facilitate the collaboration between different corporate departments such as Marketing, Sales, and Development to make sure that all parties involved are always on the same page when it comes to creating and managing product information.

What Kinds of Data belong to PIM?

A Product Information Management system can be used to manage all sorts of product information. What kind of data exactly flows through an individual company’s PIM may vary depending on their unique requirements and objectives. Below, we’ve listed some of the most prominent types of data managed in a PIM:

Product Data: This includes all the foundational information about a product, such as article number, product name, description, properties, dimensions, weight, material, color, and related attributes.

Technical Data: This type of data refers to the detailed technical information of a product, e.g. exact measurements, specifications, compatibility, performance, energy class, operation requirements, and other such technical details.

Images and Media: PIM systems usually store images and other media content relevant for products. High-quality images contribute to enhancing the visual presentation of products and can easily catch the customer’s attention. In some advanced use cases, the connection to a DAM system (Digital Asset Management) may be relevant.

Product Categories and Features: A PIM can store information about product categories and features. This makes it possible for companies to structure their products into various assortments and create relations between similar or compatible items.

Translations: For companies operating in multiple countries, translations are an absolute must-have. In a PIM system, all translated product information and digital assets can be pooled and provided for a multi-lingual customer experience. Here, too, the connection to a specialized software solution, in this case Translation Management (TMS), can be of great help

What about Prices and Stock Levels?
Such data can also be transferred over to the PIM software, yet the PIM solution should only be conceived of as the mediator between source and target in this case. This is because the data sovereignty belongs to other tools such as ERP systems for this kind of data.

The 6 Steps of Product Information Management

1. Data Collection:

In the first phase of the PIM process, product information is gathered from various sources, including existing databases. technical specifications, information delivered by data suppliers, as well as from ERP, TMS, or CRM systems. Consequently, all this data is processed and prepared for editing.

2. Data Cleaning and Standardization:

The next step is a thorough cleaning and standardizing of the collected a data. In the process, duplicates are removed, missing information is supplemented, and all data is brought into a uniform format. The product information comes to attain a high degree of consistency and precision in this manner.

3. Organization and Structurization of Data:

Imagine entering a well-organized store. You have the perfect overview at a glance, the products are ordered by categories such as product types, brands, or attributes. This is precisely what you get with Product Information Management. The product information is organized in a hierarchical structure − e.g., by product types, brands, or attributes. Creating a clear structure which results in a compact product data model facilitates the management process and product searches significantly.

4. Data Enrichment:

In order to make your product information as comprehensive and convincing as possible, further information is supplied in this crucial step. By adding further intel such as product descriptions, technical data, images, videos, manuals, certificates, and much more, you bring your product to life as if it were within the customer’s reach. With this refinement of data, then, you can not only present products professionally, but also create stories. Your customers can see the product live in action, understand how it works, and experience the quality at work with their own eyes.

5. Localization and Personalization:

If your product is to conquer new markets, localizing and personalizing is another crucial process step. You can do so, for example, by adjusting the product description to the respective regional language to make sure that your brand message is understood in this specific cultural context. This enables customers to explore your product in their preferred language. Besides going multi-lingual, further adjustments to different target groups can be made. This, then, allows for a more target-oriented and efficient communication.

6. Data Distribution:

As soon as your product information is perfectly prepared and enriched, it’s time to present it in your various sales and marketing channels. Just like on a living buzzing market place where every stand has its own attraction, your product information is distributed strategically to achieve maximum visibility and reach. Your products are presented in online shops, they appear on prominent marketplaces, while potential customers can go shopping for the best offers. At the same time, your information is also available in electronic catalogs and apps in order to provide your customers with a smooth purchasing experience.

 

Who Benefits from Product Information Management?

A large variety of companies with an extensive product portfolio profit from PIM. Here are some examples:

Specialized Retailers: Thanks to the central data management and automated distribution of product data, retailers profit from efficient processes which smoothly transition into each other without any gaps. Additionally, a PIM system guarantees for a consistent and uniform presentation of all product information.

Wholesalers and Distributors: The collaboration with many suppliers and products is made a lot easier. This is because a PIM collects, standardizes, and manages all product information while guaranteeing correctness and completeness across the entire customer journey.

Manufacturers: PIM allows you to organize your product databases. A single source of truth is established for pooling all kinds of product information. This improves internal teamwork and makes it possible to provide consistent, high-quality information to sales partners and customers.

E-Commerce Companies: PIM is decisive for the efficient management and presentation of product data in online shops. With a PIM system, this product data can be centralized, updated, and adjusted in order to secure a frictionless purchase experience with a high customer satisfaction rate.

Companies with Many Product Variants: PIM organizes and structures product information in order to effectively relate all product variants and allows you to offer them on various channels. This is especially helpful for companies with products in different sizes, colors, and styles, etc.

Companies with Configurable Products: Product Information Management also enables the simple structurization and management of data for supplying product configurators and CPQ systems in the correct format. This will always deliver the desired results.

 

7 Good Reasons Why Companies Should Invest into a PIM System

1. Manage Product Information Efficiently: With a PIM system, product information can be managed in a centralized and well-structured manner. This saves time and resources during data collection, cleaning, and distribution.

2. Consistent and Precise Product Communication: Through the implementation of a PIM system, your marketing team can publish consistent and uniform product information across all sales channels which, in turn, translates into a stronger brand image and optimized customer experience.

3. Improved Data Quality: With a PIM system, product managers can clean, standardize, and always keep all data up to date in and through a central source. The result: Precise product descriptions and attributes without any gaps or missing details.

4. Personalized Customer Experience: A PIM makes the time-and-resource-friendly personalization of product information for different target groups possible, allowing you to deliver relevant and appealing content that will strengthen customer retention. The dream of target-group-specific content becomes reality.

5. Effective Channel Management: With PIM software, marketing managers can efficiently work on and synchronize product information distributed to different channels for establishing an all-encompassing omnichannel experience.

6. Time and Cost Savings: Automated PIM tasks such as data collection and distribution reduce manual labor, accelerate the time-to-market, and minimize both effort and costs.

7. Scalability and Growth: A PIM enables the efficient scaling of product databases and information. With this, you will be quick to expand your product assortment.

Creating Tailor-Made Purchase Experiences with PIM and DAM

In the age of digital commerce and customer centricity, companies put increasing emphasis on providing their customers with a smooth and personalized purchase experience. Product Information Management (PIM) und Digital Asset Management (DAM) have come to play a decisive role herein. By combining context-sensitive and personalized product information with digital assets, PIM and DAM systems enable companies to fulfill their customers’ expectations. Since today’s customers are more demanding than ever: They are more informed and can order goods from anywhere at any time. This grants customers the freedom of choice from whom they want to buy their desired product.
E-commerce companies that want to set themselves apart from the competition must design a perfect and pioneering purchase experience. And to this end, they need lots and lots of data: expressive product descriptions, detailed product images, professional product videos, setup manuals, maybe even augmented reality integration, and much, much more. Handling this manually is no longer possible, there is no way around high-performance tools. If you wish to learn more about how PIM and DAM systems can help you in creating groundbreaking purchase experiences, we invite you to keep on reading.

 

Why are PIM and DAM Indispensable for a Successful Purchase Experience?

According to a survey by KPMG, 57 percent of all surveyed people wish for better information about the product, 42 percent for better product images, and, lastly, 23 percent for more product videos in order to avoid product returns. (Source: Statista 2023). This clearly demonstrates: high-quality product content is of great importance to consumers. When it is inconsistent, incorrect, or simply unavailable, it will inevitably reflect itself in the product return rate or the product isn’t even bought in the first place.

 

Nowadays, consumers are well-informed and more demanding than ever, which is why they are expecting reliable product content from companies, among other things. By integrating both systems, companies can optimize their business process and make sure that they can provide consistent and complete product information that can solidify the customers’ trust and have a positive impact on the purchase decision. This is enabled by pooling together context-sensitive and personalized product information from the PIM system with digital assets from the DAM software.

The data PIM and DAM solutions centralize respectively differs a lot from one another. Accordingly, it’s best practice to connect both worlds. This grants you a comprehensive overview of all product-related data on the basis of which you can also easily manage and maintain all information as necessary. With this unbeatable tool combination, you solve one of the biggest operative challenges companies find themselves confronted with: Millions of different product data records are collected, maintained, refined, and distributed only to relevant touchpoints. That alone should already take the point home, doesn’t it? Yet, there are much more advantages that can be of great use to your company.

1. Inspire Customers thanks to Consistent Product Content

The integration of both PIM and DAM guarantees that product data is always up to date, consistent, and correct. Images and other assets should always depict the current state of the art. And they should also be consistent across all channels. When purchasing a bike, for example, nothing could be more irritating than the oddity that your own shop has images that deviate from the other e-commerce or web platforms. Assuring consistency establishes the highest degree of trust in your brand. Regardless with which channels your customers interact, they always receive consistent information which will help them in forming well-informed purchase decisions.

2. Increase in Efficiency for Content Creation and Management

Managing product data can be time intensive and complex. Through the use of PIM and DAM, you can optimize the whole process while accomplishing tasks with less effort and in a quicker and more efficient manner. By directly connecting the DAM system to the PIM, images and assets will always be available just in time in your PIM and, with that, in all connected channels. This allows you full access to an extensive library of digital assets on the basis of which you can create target-group-oriented marketing and product presentations. Additionally, this integration facilitates your workflows and makes you more flexible in your response to sudden shifts in the markets.

3. Personalized Experiences that Captivate Customers

The customers of today expect tailor-made experiences that target their individual needs. By bringing PIM and DAM into relation, you can provide personalized content and suggestions which are based on your customers’ actual preferences and purchasing behavior. A race bike, for example, requires different marketing texts and images than products catered towards hobby cyclists. Naturally, this comes with some preparation work. Knowing your customer inside out is of utmost importance in this context, after all. There are various methods to this end such as setting up a buyer persona. Feedback data, too, be it from product returns, reviews, or based on purchasing behavior, etc. can be managed in the PIM system so that you can read your customers’ wishes from their lips or, much rather, from their purchasing data.

4. Accelerate Your Time to Market and Stay Competitive

In a fast-paced business world, bringing new products to the market is decisive. The combination of both systems enables you to get the optimum out of your processes and shorten the time to market. There is no need to connect two systems which provide data at different times, PIM allows you to distribute everything in a centralized and synchronized manner to relevant channels including assets. With centralized access to all product information and digital assets at the same time, you can speed up the time it takes to make adjustments, update content, and introduce new products. You are agile, you can react quickly, and stay streets ahead of the competition.

5. Boost the Success of Your Omnichannel Strategy

Customers frequent a diverse range of touchpoints in order to interact with companies: social media, online marketplaces, online shops, catalogs, etc. All these interaction options over changes for designing a top-notch customer journey. PIM and DAM systems make it possible for brands to provide product information to various channels. Thanks to built-in omnichannel publishing functions, you can automatically supply just the right product information to different output channels. This way, you create a multichannel or omnichannel at the click of a button.

 

PIM and DAM: A Strong Duo!

PIM systems play an important role in the smooth purchase experiences and optimized omnichannel strategy. A PIM system usually contains DAM functions but it can also interact with separate DAM systems such as Tessa, Canto, and others.

With high-performance systems such as PIM and DAM, companies can optimize their sales and marketing processes across various channels and platforms. In this manner, they can offer a consistent and personalized customer journey which, in turn, results in better customer retention and higher sales.

In case you, too, want to improve your customers’ sales experience and optimize your omnichannel strategy, then the integration of PIM and DAM is the right step.

You want to know how you can master your challenges with a PIM solution?
We’re always happy to show you how in a personal demo show. Our experts guide you through the highlight functions of our software and tell you how you can utilize our PIM solution with built-in DAM functions to elevate your business processes to the next level – digital, free, and without any commitments on your end. Secure your demo tour now!

SaaS PIM: Efficient Data Management without High Investment Costs

In today’s business world where digital product data is published on a variety of online marketplaces, in regional web shops, and product data feeds, central data management plays a decisive role. And this is where Product Information Management systems (in short PIM) come into play. With this high-performance tool, product data can be maintained and optimized efficiently. Functions such as workflow management facilitate working collaboratively on product data and information in teams, while the product data classification improves the active data exchange both inside the company and with other companies. There are many reasons for investing into a PIM system. Many companies, however, are still reluctant of such IT projects given the related risks together with high license costs which sometimes amount to tens of thousands of euro.

 

The Good Old World of On-Premise

Traditionally, corporate software such as a PIM or ERP system is purchased in an On-Premise model (while some prefer the plural On-Premises, others abbreviate it as onPrem). In such models, companies usually make a one-time transaction to cover the – on average high – license costs. On top of that, there are annual costs for updates, maintenance, support, as well as the costs for the implementation project. The software is commonly operated within the company’s own IT infrastructure which, in turn, necessitates personnel for operation together with operation expenses.

The reason why many companies prefer and opt for the On-Premise model despite high investment costs is a clear advantage which should not be overlooked: With an On-Premise licensing model, the company enjoys, to a great extent, independence from the software developer.

A system that is critical for business such as a PIM, for example, can still be utilized even if development of the software product is discontinued. Even in the case of the software developer going bankrupt, business keeps running unhindered as per usual. That’s as far as theory is concerned. In practice, however, neither this self-sufficient system operation nor protection mechanisms such as Source Code Escrow (¹) can provide a hundred-percent error-proof safety net against system disruptions.

Even with access to the source code of third-party software, taking the further development of the software into your own hands is nigh impossible given the enormous effort it would take to acquaint oneself with the technologies. In such a scenario, companies ought to look for an alternative solution as quickly as possible. Running things on your own is only an interim solution.

(¹) Source Code Escrow is a specific kind of software protection solution developed for saving the source code of critical software applications and granting access to it based on conditions specified in the software contract. This comes into effect should the software developer no longer be able to maintain the software on their own.

 

 

SaaS Incoming: The Low-Risk Alternative to On-Premise

“Software as a Service,” also known as SaaS, enjoys increasing popularity as an alternative licensing and operation model which makes full use of the benefits of today’s digital world. The SaaS model sets itself apart from On-Premise with the following five features:

1. Software Operation

The most essential difference lies in the operation model. In the case of a SaaS solution, the system is usually not operated by the company which wants to use it but by the software developer or one of their partners. In this case, people speak of a “cloud-based operation” or simply “Cloud.” This alleviates the need to provide IT infrastructure, keep hardware up to date, install the software, as well as monitoring operation and backups on the customer’s side.

2. Costs

In the case of a Software-as-a-Service model, the initial investment can be kept low. Instead of a high one-time purchase, periodic payments are made for the usage of the SaaS solution. This is because so-called SaaS vendors do not “sell” their software and, instead, demand a regular user fee (so-called “subscription-based pricing”). This encompasses license usage, operation, maintenance, and support.

3. Updates

When it comes to Software-as-a-Service solutions, the provider has the responsibility to carry out updates, meaning the company doesn’t need to worry about regular maintenance. Such updates are provided automatically and without users experiencing any system disruption. Often times, new functions can be implemented more quickly in the Cloud since this also takes care of the distribution and roll-out process to customers. What is important, however, is that, in this model, such updates are usually mandatory and not a choice left up to the company.

4. Service

SaaS vendors strive to provide their customers with a comprehensive service package which provides optimal support in mastering all business-related challenges. Especially when it comes to a PIM system, a first-class service is crucial. Only in this way does the customer not only receive a high-performance system but also makes sure that they can make optimal use of the PIM system in order to accomplish an efficient and digital Product Data Management, better data quality, and smooth collaboration which also carries over into all sales and distribution channels.

5. Scalability

Especially for the e-commerce market, where starting small and growing and expanding in a step-by-step manner is the norm, a fully scalable PIM system offers a great benefit. A cloud-based PIM solution enables a smooth scaling without the need to invest into more servers or software. Cloud PIM solutions can easily be adjusted to the growing business requirements via upgrades without forcing the company to acquire additional server capacities or hiring more IT experts.

 

SaaS PIM: Flexible and Efficient Product Data Management in the Cloud

In summary, it can be said that a SaaS offer shines in comparison to On-Premise solutions when it comes to investment risks. The necessity to purchase expensive one-time licenses, build up an appropriate IT infrastructure, and implement the software does only apply to On-Premise but not a SaaS model. Companies that decide to opt for a PIM solution in the Cloud can get started directly. The investment risk, then, depends on the minimum contract duration. Some vendors, in turn, allow for you to terminate the contract by the end of the next month so that the decision can be easily revoked in case of customer dissatisfaction. This flexibility reduces the risk and grants companies the possibility to re-adjust their strategy. On the other hand, the On-Premise model has the great benefit that the company remains independent from the software developer. This, however, didn’t put a stop to the growing popularity of Cloud solutions.

 

Cloud-Native PIM: A Smart Decision for Your Company

With the ever-increasing demand for SaaS and Cloud software products, many developers of PIM systems today do also offer their products on the basis of Software-as-a-Service or Cloud solutions. At first glance, this leads to a great selection of PIM systems in this software category. When it comes to choosing the right software, however, caution is required since many such systems were originally developed as an On-Premise solution and were then migrated over to the Cloud after the fact. Such software solutions do, by design, not draw from the full potential of the Cloud. This may manifest itself in performance or scalability problems as well as higher operation costs which transfer from the provider over to the customer. It’s advisable to put this aspect into consideration in your PIM selection process.

In order to find the best possible solution, companies should watch out for PIM systems that are developed as cloud-native software. Such systems do not only offer sustainability for the future but also optimal use of all benefits of the Cloud. With cloud-native, companies can optimize their product data in an efficient manner and further boost their business growth.

You want to know more about the possibilities of a cloud-based PIM solution?
How about checking out the functions of ATAMYA Product Cloud and finding out how you can use our PIM solution to elevate your company to the next level!

ERP, IMS, CRM, CMS, and PIM – where are the Similarities and Differences?

Are you sometimes reminded of popular hip hop songs full of “rapcronyms” and other kinds of abbreviations such as in the popular hit “Miami 2 Ibiza” by the Swedish House Mafia while researching software revolving around the management and organization of your product offers? Doesn’t this issue already pop up as soon as you try to get started? We understand this sentiment very well. Lots and lots of acronyms stringed together as if they were lines in rap lyrics and song titles. Songs such as the one just brought up are similar to what you encounter when informing yourself about software tools: “IMS, CRM, and C-M-S, / ERP or PIM, let’s clean that mess,” one might be tempted to sing along.

Let’s try and see if we can get some order into this alphabet soup. Which abbreviation stands for what? What software takes care of which tasks? Sometimes it’s best to simply spell it out for others: IMS stands for Inventory Management System, ERP for Enterprise Resource Planning, CRM is Customer Relation Management, and CMS is Content Management System. PIM, finally, stands for Product Information Management.

We can illustrate to ourselves how each of these individual systems function by looking at a simple product. Let’s take a bike as an example. Picture your own bike or the bike you always wished you could own for yourself. It doesn’t matter. Now, let’s switch to the perspective of the bicycle dealer: what software is required at which point of the process in order to deliver this fancy bike, be it in thought alone or in reality, straight into your hands as the customer? You’ve defined your ideal frame size and you’ve decided which tires and color etc. to settle for. And this is where we get down to business: there is a substantial difference between manufacturing, stock keeping, offer processing, and distribution. And this is also where mere labels and abbreviations are no longer going to cut it and the systems themselves need to prove what their names only promise. So, let’s have a look!

 

ERP Software

When configuring a bike as a customer, the individual components are automatically put together by the ERP. Out of this, then, an order is generated out of all positions. ERP solutions know the article number, purchasing price, net price, bulk buy prices, the manufacturer, as well as short descriptions of the items themselves. That is to say, it knows all the information revolving around enterprise resources for each position. The ERP software takes your order and generates out of it the order and delivery note as well as the bill. Additionally, it manages your supplier and customer data.

In connection to all this, the sales numbers, profit analyses, supplier margins, or even sales analyses and balance sheets are also calculated and created with the ERP system. All in all, the ERP system focuses on all business administration tasks relevant to your company. The most well-known ERP providers are SAP or Microsoft Dynamics.

 

IMS

To be precise, the Inventory Management System is a subset of the ERP system, specializing in the stock keeping department. The Inventory Management System knows your stock and the availability of components of your bike, so that it can even tell you where exactly in your warehouse the spare parts of your bike are physically stored, to bring up the example from above again. It can control minimum and/or maximum stock levels and trigger order recommendations, while also keeping track of all incoming supplies. The IMS identifies non-sellers and can generate an evaluation of your warehouse or inventory list. All such information is transferred over to the ERP system or the online shop. Your benefit: you can already check the availability while ordering. Here, too, prominent systems are SAP or Microsoft Dynamics.

 

CRM

With a Customer Relationship Management system, you can manage all customer-related information and interaction. It knows, for example, that you’ve already bought three bikes in the past. Let’s assume that you have already purchased a ladies’ bicycle, a men’s bicycle, and a balance bike for toddlers. Accordingly, what would be more natural than displaying an ad for a child’s bike? After all, it can be inferred from the purchasing date that your child has grown up by now. Another scenario may be that you’ve purchased some spare parts. Naturally, it’s most likely the case that your bike has already served its purpose for a few years and it might be a good chance to consider a newer, more attractive model? In this case, too, CRM software can take care of the customer interaction. It sends out targeted mails and ads as well as information for related customer events. Popular CRM solutions include, for example, Salesforce and HubSpot.

 

CMS

A Content Management System manages all information about your bike and its components on websites or your online shops. Equipped with APIs or other interfaces, it receives all relevant data from the ERP or IMS system, for example prices and availability. However, this is insufficient for establishing an online presence or even an independent web shop. What’s still missing are images, technical data, manuals, datasheets, and much more. The management of such data for your web presence or online store is taken care of by your CMS tool. On top of that, it handles SEO texts, sales banners, page images, and further content required by shops and websites. Go-to systems to achieve all this are Typo3 and WordPress.

 

PIM

A Product Information Management system is the datahub for all your data. The PIM software stores all information on product data. From the ERP system, it draws the prices; from the IMS system, it can draw the availability. In short: PIM contains all product information. This does also include images and media of, to continue the example from above, your bike and its components: detail images, atmospheric images, 360-degree images, datasheets, manuals, and all meta-data. But also product descriptions SEO texts, and technical details about the individual components are gathered by and in the PIM. Furthermore, the PIM software grants you the option of managing multiple languages, i.e. it supports data management with translation functions. Equipped with this, you already have built-in support for serving the international markets. Last but not least, PIM supports you in your workflows for all processes concerning data management and publication of your data for any connected systems – this also includes Desktop Publishing systems for designing catalogs and flyers. You can even directly transfer last-minute changes right before print release from one system to the other thanks to the connectivity of the PIM system. This way, you can make sure that all prices are correct and up to date – without any additional feedback loops and correction cycles.

 

Bring Your Product Data Into Line

As the central datahub, the PIM system distributes all information to connected systems. In particular, this includes CMS, shop systems, and websites. To the ERP system, a short description and the article name is sent, maybe with an additional preview image. This way, companies can manage their product data in an effective and efficient manner and get the best out of it. And it also guarantees that all data is always up to date and fully available. In short: PIM provides a frictionless connection to all the various systems such as ERP, IMS, CRM, and CMS.

Be it bikes, coloring and coating, travels and tours, carpets, or fashion: these fantastic five systems help you on your exciting path to reaching out to your customers. With a strategic and smart integration of these helpful systems, you can provide your customers with targeted and relevant information, hereby creating an even better purchase experience. Finally, we’ve come full circle and have returned to our opening remarks, so that you’re now ready to “rap along” the next time somebody throws around abbreviations revolving around systems which will give the beat for your business. Now, the name of the game is: “IMS, CRM, and C-M-S, / ERP or PIM, we’ve cleaned that mess!”