What Does a PIM System Do?

If you are like most businesses, your data is your single most valuable asset. This data helps you market products and create ideal customer experiences. Therefore, keeping product information well organized and easy to find and manage is a must for today’s modern brands. 

A well-organized PIM solution will effectively bring together the whole team to ensure that product information is easy to access and available for all roles, from those working on product images to those creating digital ads or landing pages. Every role requires knowledge of the products being sold or serviced in order to create the right kind of marketing material or customer interactions.

What Is the Function of PIM?

Product information management, also known as PIM, is a type of software or system that manages various types of information related to an abundance of products. This enables a company to buy, market, sell, and even service these products. PIM also typically involves a centralization of all product information into one single location, which allows for more efficient management. Usually, PIM is also accessible for many people within an organization as well. Therefore, when answering the question about a PIM system meaning, it is basically a solution to the problem of product information organization for a company.

Who Needs a PIM?

Any company can use a PIM solution. However, for product teams that typically spend countless hours tracking down the most recent and most accurate product data, having such a solution can be a lifesaver. Therefore, when it comes to manufacturers, a PIM solution is a must for many reasons. 

As a manufacturer consider the benefits of PIM software: Most manufacturers utilize various file folders or spreadsheets to store valuable product data on either an individual employee or manager’s computer or on a company network. Now, consider that a team of employees needs to access this information that is in various locations for marketing purposes. The task of tracking down and finding the right data for the right product is nearly impossible, and managing all this information can become tiring and time-consuming. That’s to say nothing of the problem related to updating product information regularly.

Thankfully, a PIM solution creates a centralized location for all product data to be stored. This gives authorized employees access to important product-related data. Having this in one location helps promote brand consistency and allows many employees to manage the product data easily, such as making updates and using it for other purposes. Therefore, when answering the question, who needs a PIM? The answer is any manufacturer who is constantly trying to manage important product data and create a unified brand message.

What Does a PIM System Do?

As outlined above, a PIM solution will allow a manufacturer to store and manage all types of product data in one centrally located area. PIM software companies help manufacturers manage all sorts of product data including its dimensions, pricing, SKU, descriptions, functionality, benefits, features, and much more. It serves as a single source of truth for product information. Also, PIM platforms usually allow multiple users to log onto software and update product data, allowing for real-time changes that keep the information accurate at all times.

What Is an Example of a PIM?

There are many options when it comes to PIM software. Some of the best PIM software companies that fall into the Top 10 PIM software in the industry include Plytix PIM, Pimcore, Acquia, Inriver, Akeneo PIM, Salsify PIM, Catsy, and Lumavate, with other PIM systems like Acquira PIM available as well. Each of these solutions provides an ability to manage and centralize product data along with some solutions providing additional functionality. However, only Lumavate can be considered the best PIM due to robust functionality not only as a PIM, but also as a Digital Asset Management (DAM) solution and Digital Experience Platform (DXP). The following is more information on each of these PIM solutions and PIM system examples and the great PIM tools in market right now:

PIM Software Examples

• Plytix PIM: This solution is ideally suited and designed for use in businesses that are small to medium-sized. It is considered a collaboration platform.

• Pimcore PIM: As another option for a PIM solution, Pimcore also features other tools like Digital Asset Management or DAM capacity, as well as offering Master Data Management or MDM. This is also available while working in conjunction with Google Analytics and being scalable and connectable to ERPs, Bis, ESBs, and CRMs.

• Acquia PIM: This is a PIM designed to work in conjunction with Drupal to build and create websites and customer experiences related to product data.

• Inriver PIM: Known as a multi-tenant solution, this PIM allows a company to manage all their product data in one location.

• Akeneo PIM: This system can organize a huge amount of product data, including thousands of SKUs. It can also keep all data in one place and distribute it as well among a team or consultants.

• Salsify PIM: This solution describes itself as a total product experience management or PXM system. It allows users to manage and optimize scale as well as syndicate. It is ideally suited for use by manufacturers as well as retailers and distributors.

• Catsy PIM: Considered a software product suite, Catsy is utilized to manage information and makes publishing an easy and quick process. Its primary focus is creating a single source of truth when it comes to digital assets and product data.

• Lumavate: Last but certainly not least is Lumavate. This PIM solution goes about just product management, though, and offers so much more. With Lumavate, a brand can manage product data, create digital experiences, and more, all tied together with product data. It also works well with existing tech to help improve functionality across a company. It even offers a text messaging function that allows companies to engage with customers in a whole new way, effectively cutting through the noise in the market to stand out.

Learn More About Lumavate Today

Lumavate is more than a PIM, although it does provide an effective management system of product data. It also allows a brand to manage its product data throughout its entire life cycle. This means that from the point product data is entered into the system initially, all the way until it’s used at the front end of a product experience when activated by customers, it serves a function and makes the entire process more efficient and easier for all involved. Thanks to its functionality, a company can centralize all product data and promote and empower enhanced collaboration throughout the business.

With Lumavate, your company can effectively replace disparate product files and countless spreadsheets containing product information. Instead, you have a streamlined solution that manages everything related to products, from pricing and descriptions to SKUs and much more. Contact us today to learn more about Lumavate and how it can help grow your business and create more efficiency.