Glossary
Definition: product information management (PIM) system
Control of product media and product information in one location
A Product Information Management system is beneficial for any company that needs to manage large amounts of product data or has multiple distribution channels. However, as a company you often have to deal with a huge amount of assets in addition to a large amount of product information. Combining product information and product images brings several advantages. For this, it is important that the PIM system be linked to a Product Asset Management (PAM) system.
On this page, learn more about how to get more out of your PIM system by integrating it with a PAM system.
What is a PIM system?
PIM is an abbreviation for Product Information Management. With a PIM system, you can create a central hub to manage all your product information. The software includes methods for collecting, maintaining, processing and distributing data across systems. In doing so, you can assume that this data is reliable (Single Source of Truth). However, many companies deal with a large amount of product images in addition to product information. To combine this data, the use of a PAM system is important.
Product Information Management: the benefits
A product launch often involves a huge amount of new product information and product images. Keeping an overview in this process can therefore be very difficult. Which products have been approved? Which products are still missing pictures? Which texts have already been translated? Which products are ready to go live? Using Product Information Management software, it is immediately clear which information is still missing and what the status of a product is. In addition, a PIM system eliminates errors. Working from Excel sheets is a thing of the past because everyone works in a central database that ensures that all information is up to date across all channels. Moreover, the time-to-time market is shortened because in a PIM system employees from various departments can work on a product at the same time. Thus, the marketing department can begin production of a catalog even if not all product details are available yet.
The process of a product launch is significantly improved by a PIM system, but product maintenance also becomes a lot more efficient through this software. Would you like to know more about the Product Information Management benefits? Then contact us and we will be happy to tell you more.
Integrating your PAM system with a PIM system
A Product Information Management (PIM) system is often unable to store all product information including all product images and link to other (external) systems. A Digital Asset Management (DAM) system, on the other hand, cannot add product information until the product images have been uploaded. Therefore, often when using these systems, product information and product images are fragmented and duplicated within organizations. Integrating your PAM system with a PIM system can eliminate this problem.
Combine product media with product information
The Product Information Management process focuses solely on centralizing product information. A Product Asset Management system is unique in that it combines product information management with product images. A PAM system thereby integrates with a PIM system and can therefore retrieve information from the existing PIM system. This gives your organization total control over all product content and product images are easily retrievable based on all product info.
Consistent communication about products
Because both internal and external parties have access to the correct product images and product information, everyone is up to date. For example, you prevent parties from working with images or product information that is not up-to-date. Through the integration of a PIM system with your PAM system, communication about your product is therefore always consistent.
Streamlined workflow
Integrating your Product Information Management tool with a PAM system enables teams to operate in a streamlined manner. Internal and external parties often work together on the same projects, which can create ambiguity. Where is product information stored? What is the latest version of an asset? With a PAM system, stakeholders have direct access to all necessary materials. This then involves not only product information, but also product images. Everyone operates in the same way, with the right product content. In addition, PAM ensures the automatic delivery of the right product/data combinations, formats, quality and file formats. This makes the workflow of a product launch campaign more efficient.
Find out how to get the most out of your PIM system
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