4 questions regarding the PIM implementation
Before you decide on a PIM and its implementation, you should consider and verify the following aspects.
We have compiled a list with the 4 most important questions regarding a PIM implementation.
Which product data is available in your company?
In your PIM, product data from two data sources will merge. From the ERP and from the marketing and sales area. You should decide which of the two systems (ERP and PIM) will be the leading one.
For the PIM you need a unique identifier and identification. In most cases, the article number of the ERP is suitable for this purpose.
- In which of my IT systems do I currently maintain product data?
- Is it possible to connect this IT system to my PIM?
- Which team or department maintains which product data?
- Marketing, Sales
- ERP
- E-Commerce department
- Is the product data complete?
- Which departments must work together to complete the product data if necessary?
Which channels should the product data be exported to? (source & target)
In the age of digitalization, efficient processes for suppliers, dealers and manufacturing companies is an important issue. With the perfect interaction in sales and marketing, your processes become faster. With a short time-to-market you remain competitive and are not surpassed by your competitors.
A PIM should offer you a variety of communication channels. No matter if website, online shop, catalogues, flyers, apps, marketplaces or procurement platforms, the opportunities should be available to you.
But providing different information in different channels also means more work and effort! With a PIM, it should be possible to individually and easily address customers through different channels. One of the most important functions is that the PIM offers an opportunity to grow and expand. Should you decide to open new distribution and sales channels in the future, you should be able to map this with your product data in your PIM without much effort.
How do I close the gap between the source system and the requirements of the target channels?
Most of the basic data that you receive from suppliers or the data that is currently stored in the ERP is not directly suitable for e-commerce. Here are the relevant questions to ask yourself, e.g.
– Does my product data speak the right language for the target channel?
– Do I have plenty of high-quality images of the product?
– What information is missing to make the product even more appealing to the customer?
All these factors and many more need to be taken into account to enrich the product data and thus really address the end customer on the channel.
Data maintenance, simple and understandable (usability)
A PIM must not only be well integrated with your IT landscape, but also harmonize well with your team. You should use your PIM system daily and enjoy it. Like any other system in your company, the best interfaces are those that are so intuitive that they are almost invisible. A PIM that provides an intuitive user interface as a standard feature and does not force your team to undergo hours of training is a must-have.
The best PIM systems offer a clear way to manage and enrich products and provide a clear overview of the status of the entire product catalog. A good PIM is only centralized in your company if your team feels that it does not need a separate product management tool for data enrichment.
Everyday work with your PIM and its data maintenance must be fun!